This paper asks whether pseudonymous letters can be used to form a Pauline theology. To find an answer to this question, the author considers letters as substitutes for one’s actual physical presence, examines the unique authority of the apostles of Jesus Christ in the New Testament, and looks at the available documentary evidence on pseudonymity from the New Testament and the early church Fathers. With the cumulative findings in these areas, the paper also considers if there is any way to establish a Pauline theology from pseudo-apostolic letters.
The paper’s thesis is that one cannot form a Pauline theology from pseudonymous letters. First, you cannot form a Pauline theology from pseudonymous letters because ancient letters functioned as substitutes for one’s actual physical presence. Various epistolary theorists (e.g., Cicero, Letters to His Friends 12,30,1) in antiquity indicated this was the function of letters. Many epistles in antiquity demonstrate that they serve as substitutes for one’s real presence. Second, you cannot form a Pauline theology from pseudonymous letters because they usurp the unique and normative authority of the apostles of Jesus Christ. Various New Testament Pauline texts on the apostles’ authority show this as true (1 Cor 9:1–3; 14:37–38; 2 Cor 10-13; Gal 1:1; 1:11–2:10; Phlm 8; 2 Thess 2:2). Third, you cannot form a Pauline theology from pseudonymous letters because the NT evidence concerning pseudonymity does not support the practice. The teachings of various NT texts on the subject of pseudonymity do not favor its use (2 Thess 2:2; Rev 22:18–19; the Pauline signatures: 1 Cor 16:21; Gal 6:11; Col 4:18; 2 Thess 3:17; Phlm 19). Fourth, you cannot form a Pauline theology from pseudonymous letters because the responses of early Christian leaders to pseudonymity show that they thought such writings were deceptive and were consequently rejected for that reason (Eusebius, Eccl Hist 6.12,2ff.; Tertullian, On Prescription Against Heretics 21; Tertullian, On Baptism 17; Origen, On Principles, Preface 8, etc.).
Some (e.g., Bauckham, Marshall) have argued that a Pauline theology can be formed from pseudonymous letters; however, the best that one can do is form a theology based on what someone thought Paul might have said. Given the cumulative evidence, a Pauline theology cannot be formed from pseudonymous letters because they were not actually written by the apostle Paul.