Surviving Edits for the Original Against Marcion

The process of reconstructing early Christian texts is a challenging and intricate task. One such endeavor involves understanding the editorial journey of Against Marcion, a work by Tertullian that addresses the Marcionite gospel. This post explores how certain passages might have been cut and repositioned within the text to align with the eventual shape of the Gospel of Luke.

Step 1: Baarda's Reconstruction of the Marcionite Gospel

Let's begin with Baarda's reconstruction of a scene from the Marcionite gospel:

• He entered the synagogue as was his custom on the Sabbath day and began to teach.
• He entered Bethsaida among the Jews.
• The Jews said to him, "Physician, heal yourself."
• They led Him out of the town and brought Him by the side of the hill to cast Him down.
• He did not fall and was not harmed.
• He passed through their midst and descended to Capernaum.

This reconstruction offers a glimpse into how the narrative might have originally flowed in the Marcionite gospel.

Step 2: Identifying Separated Pieces

Next, consider two passages in Tertullian's Against Marcion that seem to belong together but are separated in the current narrative structure:

Piece 1 (Nazareth Synagogue Scene, Chapter 8):

• Tertullian describes Jesus being seized, captured, and dragged to the brow of a hill, only to pass through the crowd unscathed. This passage underscores Jesus's physicality, countering the Marcionite view of a phantasmal Christ.

Piece 2 (Question About John the Baptist, Chapter 38):

• Tertullian addresses Jesus’s questioning of John the Baptist’s baptism, suggesting it was to judge the Pharisees out of their own mouths. This passage links Christ with John, the Creator’s prophet, emphasizing their alignment.

These passages, though separated, resonate with themes of divine authority and the physical reality of Christ.

Step 3: John's First Mention in Chapter 11

In Chapter 11, Tertullian notes:

• John’s appearance marks the transition from the old to the new, aligning John’s role with the Creator’s plan. This passage defends the continuity between John and Christ against Marcionite claims of a new and different deity.

Reconstructing the Narrative

By examining these pieces together, we can reconstruct a plausible sequence that might have been edited for the canonical Luke:

• Jesus enters the synagogue and teaches, eliciting the challenge to his authority.
• He is led out to be cast down but miraculously passes through unharmed.
• Later, Jesus questions the Pharisees about John’s baptism, reaffirming the Creator’s authority.

Editorial Repositioning in Luke

The editorial process likely involved repositioning these passages to fit the narrative structure of Luke. For instance:

• The initial synagogue scene at Nazareth is moved and expanded to include the miraculous escape.
• The question about John’s baptism is placed later in Luke, providing a dramatic moment before the Passion narrative.

Implications of Editorial Decisions

These editorial decisions serve to:

1. Reinforce the orderly account claimed by Luke, distinguishing it from Marcion’s "disordered" gospel.
2. Establish continuity between John the Baptist and Jesus, aligning them with the Creator’s prophecy.
3. Counter Marcionite interpretations by emphasizing Jesus's physicality and his fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies.

Conclusion

The analysis of surviving edits in Against Marcion reveals how early Christian texts were shaped to address theological disputes and ensure doctrinal coherence. By repositioning passages, the editors aimed to create a seamless narrative that affirmed Jesus's divine authority and his alignment with John the Baptist, countering Marcionite claims. This reconstruction not only enhances our understanding of Tertullian’s work but also sheds light on the editorial processes that shaped the Gospel of Luke.