Pre-Irenaeus (jan 1, 174 – dec 31, 178)

Description:

Writing ca. 150 CE, Justin Martyr seemed to indicate that some version of the synoptic gospels was read in the church(es) in Rome each Sunday (while his familiarity with the gospel of John remains uncertain), but he clearly implies that the authorship was unknown or contested at his time, and he appears to think that one of the synoptic gospels was actually written by Peter. At some point probably not long before the writings of Irenaeus, a collection of the four canonical gospels is published that ascribes their modern names to them. Up until now, they’ve circulated anonymously, any quotes from or allusions to them going unattributed to any particular name. Papias’ earlier claims about Mark and Matthew having written down the deeds and sayings of Jesus may have served as the basis for the selection of those names, though it’s extremely doubtful that Papias was talking about the works we know by those names today.

Justin Martyr dies, perhaps martyred after a public dispute with a philosopher in Rome name Crescens. After Justin’s death, Tatian (said to be his former student) founds an Encratic (and possibly gnostic) faction, influencing Christian practice broadly in the area of Syria.

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