Proto-orthodox Christianity is a term created by New Testament scholar Bart D. Ehrman. Ehrman described this as one of the many religious sects that followed the teachings of Jesus Christ, yet this one was able to become the form of Christianity dominant today. This appellation, "proto-orthodox", recognizes that a Christian sect developed incorporating ideas from the Jewish-Christian adoptionists, the Marcionites, and the Gnostics. This group
?stifled its opposition, it claimed that its views had always
been the majority position and that its rivals were, and
always had been, ?heretics,? who willfully ?chose? to reject
the ?true belief?.? [1]
Proto-orthodoxy?s New Testament Jesus
In order to form a canon of Christian works, proto-orthodox Christians went through an arduous process that was nearly complete in the fourth century, when Athanasius, the powerful bishop of Alexandria, Egypt, established a list of the New Testament?s twenty-seven books. ?Proto-orthodox Christians argued that Jesus Christ was both divine and human, that he was one being instead of two, and that he had taught his disciples the truth.? [2] This statement incorporates many of the other Christian sects' views, as well as opposing some.
In the canon, Jesus is characterized as a Jewish faith healer who ministered to the most despised people of the local culture. Miracle working was not uncommon during an era ?in the ancient world [where] most people believed in miracles, or at least in their possibility.? [3] Although most faith healers profited from their miracles, Jesus wandered about healing the poor and disreputable. This is the Jesus who said, ?I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you.?[4]
References
↑ Bart D. EhrmanThe New Testament: A Historical Introduction, p. 7.
↑ Bart D. Ehrman The New Testament: A Historical Introduction, p. 7.
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