perfectpawn

This is driving me nuts...I'm certain I've read denigrating comments regarding Paul by various early church fathers...one in particular who called him "The apostle to the gnostics," or something similar. But I don't think this was Irenaeus or Tertullian. Did I dream this? If not, who was it? Thanks!

andrewcriddle

Tertullin in Against Marcion book 3 chapter 5 http://www.tertullian.org/anf/anf03/anf03-30.htm refers to Paul as Haereticorum apostolus. translated as the very apostle whom our heretics adopt. This seems more to acknowledge the popularity of Paul among the unorthodox than indicate that Tertullian rejected Paul.

Andrew Criddle

Roger Pearse

Somewhere in the pseudo-Clementine literature I seem to recall that there is stuff written by Judaising heretics hostile to Paul? In some sort of letter? (Not sure, haven't time to check, and could be wrong, but I offer it for what it's worth).

mountainman

Have you had a good read through the apochryphal acts of Paul?

Best wishes,



Pete

andrewcriddle

In the pseudo-Clementine literature the heretic Simon Magus sometimes represents Paul.
There is a discussion here Simon Magus which may minimize the extent to which attacks on Simon Magus are really attacks on Paul.

Andrew Criddle

andrewcriddle

Note Haereticorum apostolus. could be translated as "the Apostle of the Heretics"

Andrew Criddle

robto

The pseudo-Clementines are generally regarded as anti-Paul. They actually attack a character named Simon, but Simon's theology seems to be very close to Paul's, as we read it in the canonical letters of Paul. So scholars have concluded that Simon is a stand-in for Paul.

At least, that's the picture I get from John Dominic Crossan.