Season 2: Episode 50
Pseudepigraphy: Forgery or Fan Fiction?
Date Aired: 1/22/2024
Ancient authors had no problem writing texts in other people’s names, and that includes plenty of biblical writers. If Paul only wrote seven of the thirteen Pauline epistles, for example, who wrote the other six, and why did they stamp Paul’s name on them? The practice is called pseudepigraphy—from the Greek for “false inscription”—and a lot of biblical scholars will tell you it’s straight-up forgery. But were ancient authors really trying to deceive their readers? Or were they using a standard literary practice in the ancient world of writing in the name of beloved figures (Paul, Peter, Moses, Enoch) to add new layers of meaning to their texts? Our guest Kelsie Rodenbiker argues that pseudepigraphy in the Bible has more in common with fan fiction than forgery.
Listen to the episode on the Biblical Time Machine website or wherever you get your podcasts.
Disclaimer: The Society of Biblical Literature is not responsible for the content of this podcast. The opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of the Society of Biblical Literature, its members, or its staff.
