Book Reviews by Stephen Boyce
This research paper is an examination of Michael Kruger's book, "Canon Revisited." This document ... more This research paper is an examination of Michael Kruger's book, "Canon Revisited." This document will present the major arguments within the book and will give a final analysis of each criteria.
Papers by Stephen Boyce
This study reexamines the resurrection narratives in the four Gospels by situating them within th... more This study reexamines the resurrection narratives in the four Gospels by situating them within the conventions of ancient historiography and eyewitness testimony. Rather than treating differences in detail as contradictions, it argues that the accounts reflect staggered arrivals, selective naming, narrative compression, and representative focus, common features of ancient narrative practice. Particular attention is given to the named women at the tomb, the visit of Peter and John, and the description of the burial cloths, all of which suggest preserved memory rather than literary fabrication. When read in light of ancient reporting conventions, the resurrection accounts display variation consistent with independent testimony anchored in identifiable witnesses.
The biblical book of Esther exists in multiple textual forms, most notably the Hebrew Masoretic v... more The biblical book of Esther exists in multiple textual forms, most notably the Hebrew Masoretic version and the longer Greek version preserved in the Septuagint. This study examines whether these two forms represent competing literary traditions or reflect differing stages in the transmission and reception of a single narrative. By evaluating theological content, early Christian usage, external manuscript evidence, and internal historical details, the article explores how each version presents the role of divine agency, particularly in light of the absence of explicit references to God in the Hebrew text and their prominence in the Greek additions. Special attention is given to the reception of Esther within early Jewish and Christian communities, the use of the Septuagint by the Church Fathers, Jerome’s translation decisions in the Latin Vulgate, and the later magisterial affirmation of the Greek form at the Council of Trent (1546). Rather than advancing a dogmatic conclusion, the article argues that the evidence complicates any simplistic appeal to a single “original” text and invites a more nuanced understanding of Esther’s textual history, canonical development, and theological reception
This work presents a fresh, personal translation of the Gospel of Peter, an early pseudo-Gospel t... more This work presents a fresh, personal translation of the Gospel of Peter, an early pseudo-Gospel text that offers a striking Passion and Resurrection narrative distinct from the canonical Gospels. While fragmentary, the surviving portion—discovered in a tomb in Akhmim, Egypt in the 19th century—reveals a vivid portrayal of Jesus’ trial, death, and resurrection, marked by unique theological emphases and literary style. This translation aims to render the Greek into clear, contemporary English, while also leaving additional renderings in the footnotes.
This paper explores the authorship, date, intended audience, and theology of 2 Clement, widely re... more This paper explores the authorship, date, intended audience, and theology of 2 Clement, widely regarded as the earliest surviving Christian homily. Rather than interpreting the text as an epistle, this study reconsiders 2 Clement as a transcript or summary of an early Christian sermon, crafted for public recitation. Emphasizing its oral character, tone of urgent exhortation, and pastoral focus, the paper argues for a mid-second-century composition within a Greek-speaking Christian community. Particular attention is given to 2 Clement's role in the early development of Christian liturgical preaching and its alignment with broader homiletic trends evident in other early second-century Christian writings.
This article seeks to uncover the true identity and legacy of Ignatius of Antioch by critically e... more This article seeks to uncover the true identity and legacy of Ignatius of Antioch by critically examining the authenticity and historical context of his writings and the external attestation to his life and martyrdom. Ignatius' epistles have long been a subject of scholarly debate, with questions surrounding their authorship, dating, and theological significance. By analyzing the textual transmission, historical references, and theological content of the Ignatian corpus, this study aims to explore the writings of Ignatius of Antioch, focusing on the sufficiency of the seven authentic letters traditionally attributed to him while highlighting the distinct reliability of three key letters. While scholarly consensus generally accepts the seven-letter collection as authentic, this study examines why the letters to the Romans, Ephesians, and Polycarp stand out as particularly trustworthy based on internal coherence, theological consistency, and early attestation. By analyzing the historical transmission of these letters, their reception in early Christian communities, and their theological depth.
Did John Write the Story of the Woman Caught in Adultery? , 2019
Did John Write the Story of the Woman Caught in Adultery? Or is it possible that Luke had a hand ... more Did John Write the Story of the Woman Caught in Adultery? Or is it possible that Luke had a hand in this story?
Teaching Documents by Stephen Boyce
This study presents data-driven textual analysis drawn from the author’s 2021 doctoral dissertati... more This study presents data-driven textual analysis drawn from the author’s 2021 doctoral dissertation, examining 1 Clement, Polycarp’s Epistle to the Philippians, the Didache, and select epistles of Ignatius of Antioch (To Polycarp, To the Smyrnaeans, and To the Philadelphians). The analysis focuses on explicit citations and implicit allusions to the Old and New Testaments within these early Christian writings and compares their scriptural usage with modern critical editions of the Septuagint (LXX) and the Greek New Testament. Where applicable, particularly in sections of Polycarp preserved through Latin transmission, the Latin Vulgate is also consulted for comparative purposes. By evaluating points of agreement, variation, and interpretive adaptation, this study contributes to discussions on early Christian engagement with Scripture, textual transmission, and the stability and fluidity of biblical texts in the post-apostolic period.
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Book Reviews by Stephen Boyce
Papers by Stephen Boyce
Teaching Documents by Stephen Boyce