Finding the Edits From the Original Against Marcion

The process of reconstructing early Christian texts and understanding their editorial evolution is complex and often reveals significant theological and narrative adjustments. One such text, Against Marcion by Tertullian, provides a fascinating glimpse into how early Christian orthodoxy sought to counter Marcionite beliefs and align their texts with their doctrinal positions. This post explores how certain passages might have been edited and repositioned to support the shape and theology of the Gospel of Luke, contrasting the orthodox texts with the Marcionite gospel.

The Marcionite Gospel: A Different Perspective

Marcion's gospel presented a version of Christianity that starkly contrasted with the emerging orthodoxy. Notably, the Marcionite text depicted John the Baptist as being unaware of Jesus's divine Father, the Most High God, which diverges significantly from the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke). This difference is crucial for understanding the theological battle between Marcion and the early Church.

Example of Displacement: The Nazareth Synagogue and Authority Question

In Against Marcion, Tertullian narrates the story of Jesus teaching in the synagogue and being rejected by his townspeople. He is seized, dragged to the brow of a hill, and nearly thrown off, only to pass through the crowd unscathed. This passage is used to argue against the Marcionite view of a phantasmal Christ, emphasizing Jesus's physicality and ability to experience violence.

In another part of Against Marcion, Tertullian discusses the question of John's baptism and the authority by which Jesus acts, a theme that appears towards the end of Luke's gospel. This question of authority is crucial because it directly addresses the relationship between Jesus and John, a point of contention between Marcionite and orthodox views.

Orthodoxy's Reinforcement of John and Jesus's Alliance

The orthodox texts (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) collectively reinforce the alliance between John the Baptist and Jesus, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies. In these texts, John is portrayed as the precursor to Jesus, preparing the way for the Lord as foretold by Isaiah. This alignment serves to legitimize Jesus's ministry and his fulfillment of Jewish prophecy.

The Marcionite Position: John’s Ignorance of Jesus’s Father

In contrast, the Marcionite gospel suggests that John was unaware of Jesus's divine Father. Tertullian attempts to refute this by explaining John's initial offense at hearing of Jesus's miracles. He suggests that John's offense was not due to a belief in a different Christ but rather a misunderstanding of Jesus's identity. Tertullian argues that John, as a prophet of the Creator, would not recognize any God other than the Creator.

Editorial Adjustments in Luke

The Gospel of Luke shows signs of editorial adjustments to reinforce orthodox positions:

1. John's Baptism and Authority Question (Luke 20): The placement of this question late in Luke's narrative might be an attempt to emphasize the established relationship between John and Jesus after presenting their early connections.
2. Disjointed Narratives in Luke 16: Luke 16 contains several seemingly unrelated teachings and parables, including the rich man and Lazarus, the law and the prophets, and teachings on divorce. Tertullian's extensive defense of this chapter's coherence suggests that the Marcionite gospel presented these elements differently, likely in a more logically ordered fashion.

Tertullian’s Defense of Luke’s Order

Tertullian's defense of the order and content of Luke's gospel chapters, especially the controversial John the Baptist references, indicates that these were points of significant theological contention. His arguments often juxtapose Marcionite positions, attempting to show the coherence and divine inspiration of the orthodox texts.

Conclusion

The editorial process seen in Against Marcion and the Gospel of Luke highlights the early Church's efforts to establish theological orthodoxy. By repositioning and justifying certain passages, the editors aimed to create a seamless narrative that aligned with Old Testament prophecies and affirmed Jesus's divine authority. This reconstruction helps us understand the theological battles of early Christianity and the lengths to which orthodox editors went to counter Marcionite interpretations. The differences between the Marcionite and orthodox texts underscore the diversity of early Christian thought and the complex process of establishing what would become the canonical gospels.