authorship and pseudepigraphy in early christian literature 27
wickedness, is in abraham’s name, and they also call it an apocalypse. and
they say that others are in Moses’ name, and others in the names of other
people.
Eusebius, historia ecclesiastica 3.3.1–3
In his Church History (290–325 ce), eusebius of Caesarea documented
for many Christian authors what books circulated under their names and
which of them were regarded as authentic and canonical.31
of Peter, one epistle, that which is called his first, is admitted, and the ancient
presbyters used this in their own writings as unquestioned, but the so-called
second epistle we have not received as canonical, but nevertheless it has
appeared useful to many, and has been studied with other scriptures.
2 on the other hand, of the acts bearing his name, and the gospel named
according to him and Preaching called his and the so-called revelation, we
have no knowledge at all in Catholic tradition, for no orthodox writer of the
ancient time or of our own has used their testimonies.
3 as the narrative proceeds I will take pains to indicate successively which
of the orthodox writers in each period used any of the doubtful books, and
what they said about the canonical and accepted scriptures and what about
those which are not such.
Eusebius, historia ecclesiastica 3.25.4–7
In his chapter on the new testament canon, eusebius distinguished
between clearly authentic writings, writings that were disputed with
regard to their authenticity, and writings that had obviously been forged.
on the other hand, he differentiated between literary forgeries with ortho-
dox content—like the Acts of Paul or the “teaching of the apostles”—and
those with heretical content.32
among the books which are not genuine must be reckoned the “acts of
Paul”, the work entitled the “shepherd,” the “apocalypse of Peter,” and in
addition to them the letter called of Barnabas and the so-called “teachings
of the apostles.” and in addition, as I said, the revelation of John, if this view
prevail. for, as I said, some reject it, but others count it among the recognized
books.
5 some have also counted the gospel according to the hebrews in which
those of the hebrews who have accepted Christ take a special pleasure.
6 these would all belong to the disputed books, but we have nevertheless
been obliged to make a list of them, distinguishing between those writings
31 trans. by K. lake, lCl 153:191, 193.
32 trans. by K. lake, lCl 153:257, 259.
