Thank you for the literary criticism question of Luke and Acts, “The authorship of the first two chapters and last two verses of Luke and Acts are contested because they were not part of Marcion’s Canon. Does the writing style in those disputed texts match the sophisticated literary style of the non-disputed text?”
Here are some thoughts regarding Luke and Acts in respect to the Marcion’s Canon:
A. The Marcion Canon is the earliest surviving lists of the New Testaments.
Scholars have dated the Marcion Canon to 144 CE. It is the earliest known surviving lists of the New Testament. Marcion rejected all of the Old Testament books and the New Testament books except for Luke and the 13 epistles of the Apostle Paul.
It is important to note that Marcion was considered a heretic by the early Church Father. One can read about Marcion’s theological teaching and assess for oneself whether he is a heretic or not. If the early Church Fathers are correct in condemning him and his teaching, then his writings is suspect. It is his writing opposing the other early Church Fathers.
If Marcion rejected the first two chapters of Luke and the other Gospels, then there is no history of Jesus of how he came into the world or his parents. Did Marcion adopted Marks starting point? It may well be that in his gnostic teaching that the physical body is polluted/defiled and only the spirit was pure? If that was his teaching, then it is understandable that he rejected the other Gospels. The human Jesus didn’t exist or is evil in nature.
B. The Marcion Canon doesn’t necessarily exclude the recognized Old and New Testament Books.
The argument can be made that if Marcion listed only 14 books, then he was aware of other books. His listing cites 14 that he accepted. It doesn’t by itself mean that there were only 14 books recognized by the early Christians. This was his listing of the books that he accepted as Scripture.
One must remember that in the early church, Christians were being persecuted by Jews and Romans. The copies of the writings may not have been fully circulated or adopted by various Christian centers as Alexandria, Ephesus, Constantinople, Rome, etc. Churches had scrolls, but not a full collection of scrolls. Certainly, among the Gentile churches, the letters of the Paul’s would be more endearing to them.
It is inconceivable from my perspective that the birth and heritage of Jesus would be totally ignored by the early Church Fathers. Believers would want to know more about the life of Jesus before he started his ministry. The Synoptic Gospels provides that information about the life of Jesus.
C. The Marcion Canon questions/rejects the last two verses of Luke and Acts.
Even if one concedes that the last two verses of Luke and Acts may have been added, does it change any biblical teaching or theology?
1. Regarding Luke 24:
Luke 24, says this, “45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” 50 When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. 52 Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God” (NIV). Citations are from the NIV.
The question then becomes after Jesus gives them the command, what did the Apostle do after that command? Did they see the ascension of Jesus? Did they return to Jerusalem? What or when did the clothing with power from on high come upon the Apostles?
If one ends in verse 49, the story seems incomplete of the Apostles response to Jesus. The listener is left dangling in the air.
If one ends in 51, the story seems incomplete. What happened afterwards. Jesus went into heaven, so what did the Apostles do afterward? Did they just go home? When were they clothed with power from on high is left unanswered.
Every author has to stop at some point and one’s “abrupt” ending of the letter will depend on the event that he chooses to conclude it. Was Luke running out of paper on the scroll? One must remember that the Apostles were expecting Jesus to return in their lifetime. They were waiting for him. Luke decides to conclude the letter with the ascension of Jesus and the response of the Apostles.
One further thought is that Marcion may have objected that the Temple was still standing at the time of this writing. To delete the last two verses could mean that the Temple was already destroyed and no longer relevant to the Christians. Its existence posed a problem for Marcion regarding the Old Testament.
2. Regarding Acts 28:
Acts 28 says this, “23 They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. He witnessed to them from morning till evening, explaining about the kingdom of God, and from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets he tried to persuade them about Jesus. 24 Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe. 25 They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your ancestors when he said through Isaiah the prophet:
26 “‘Go to this people and say, “You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.” 27 For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’[a] 28 “Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!” [29] [b] 30 For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. 31 He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!”
Marcion did not accept the Acts of the Apostles. That book was rejected by him. It would seem that Marcion should have accepted Acts because it is a continuing narrative of the Apostles after the ascension of Jesus. It answers the question of when the Holy Spirit came upon the believers and what the believers were doing as they waited for the Holy Spirit.
One can accept verse 30 as the end of Acts. From Marcion’s viewpoint that would be a fitting end since the letters of Paul would pick up at that point. It provides a smooth transition for him. The difficult is that Paul is in prison.
Depending on the dating of Paul’s imprisonment and the letters that he wrote, his imprisonment becomes a question. He is in prison so the listeners of this letter wonders what happen to the Apostle Paul? Did he die? Was he set free?
From Marcion’s viewpoint, he may have taken it that he was about to die as Paul speaks of imminent death in II Timothy. This would be a smooth transition for him that he dies and is not released. However, the text states that Paul continue to live for two more years and was able to preach the Gospel without any hindrances. This poses a problem for Marcion. If Paul lived beyond verse 29, then II Timothy becomes a timeline problem for him. Paul speaks of his imminent death while verse 30–31 refers to his freedom. It can’t be both.
Marcion may not have considered that Paul was released from prison and then later was re-imprison again. Thus, the dating of the life of Paul and the dating of the writing are critical in harmonizing the Scriptures.
Paul’s trial didn’t take place in Acts 28 as he awaits his accusers to come to him to bring charges against him before Caesar. He had appealed to Caesar and to Caesar he must stand before him. Luke ends the account for it has been two years in waiting. He concludes correctly that Paul had the freedom to preach the Gospel to those who came to his house arrest.
The rejection of the first two chapters of Luke and Acts especially to Theophilus enables Marcion to change the timeline of the books to fit his dating of the books. If a letter is addressed to someone, it has to conclude. Without an addressee, the conclusion can be at any time and in whatever manner by Marcion.
Summary: Marcion became the final authority of what books were in the New Testament. It was one man’s view of the Scriptures.
-Kingston