markd

What sources (and your opinions) are there for determinig the authenticity of the John epistles. Genuine?

They don't appear to provide determination of authorship. Another poster on another board is adamant they are the real deal, so I come to you smarter guys for guidance.

robto

No claim of apostolic authorship, no mention or quotation of them until the late 2nd century, so it's unlikely they're apostolic. Origen (3rd century) accepts 1 John as authentic, but expresses doubts about 2&3 John. The author of these letters calls himself "the Elder", and Papias mentions "John the Elder", so the logic seems to have been "the Elder" = "John the Elder" = "John the Apostle".

But you should just ask what evidence there is that they ARE authentic.

andrewcriddle

Since the epistles do not claim to be by John the Apostle (or any other John or any other Apostle) it maybe misleading to regard the question of their authorship as a question about authenticity.

Andrew Criddle

markd

I think the guy I'm talking to is adamant they are from John specifically.

judge

No, 1 John claims to be apostolic in the first few verses or at least it claims to be someone who saw Jesus and touched him.