Epistle to Seneca the Younger
Encyclopedia
The Epistle to Seneca the Younger is a collection of correspondence claiming to be from Paul of Tarsus
to Seneca the Younger
. There are 8 epistles allegedly from Seneca, and 6 replies allegedly from Paul. However, it is widely held to be forged, even in early times, in particular as the styles of writing match neither Paul's other epistles, nor Seneca's other works.
Seneca is said to have been concerned about the allegorical style of Paul's epistles and to have coached him on the appropriate manner of writing. Such an appeal to as great a writer as Seneca is clearly an attempt to lend the theological content of the epistles, which was that the Pauline Epistles
are allegory encoding secret teachings, some weighting.
Jerome
mentioned them in his De Viris Illustribus
(chap. 12).
Paul of Tarsus
Paul the Apostle , also known as Saul of Tarsus, is described in the Christian New Testament as one of the most influential early Christian missionaries, with the writings ascribed to him by the church forming a considerable portion of the New Testament...
to Seneca the Younger
Seneca the Younger
Lucius Annaeus Seneca was a Roman Stoic philosopher, statesman, dramatist, and in one work humorist, of the Silver Age of Latin literature. He was tutor and later advisor to emperor Nero...
. There are 8 epistles allegedly from Seneca, and 6 replies allegedly from Paul. However, it is widely held to be forged, even in early times, in particular as the styles of writing match neither Paul's other epistles, nor Seneca's other works.
Seneca is said to have been concerned about the allegorical style of Paul's epistles and to have coached him on the appropriate manner of writing. Such an appeal to as great a writer as Seneca is clearly an attempt to lend the theological content of the epistles, which was that the Pauline Epistles
Pauline epistles
The Pauline epistles, Epistles of Paul, or Letters of Paul, are the thirteen New Testament books which have the name Paul as the first word, hence claiming authorship by Paul the Apostle. Among these letters are some of the earliest extant Christian documents...
are allegory encoding secret teachings, some weighting.
Jerome
Jerome
Saint Jerome was a Roman Christian priest, confessor, theologian and historian, and who became a Doctor of the Church. He was the son of Eusebius, of the city of Stridon, which was on the border of Dalmatia and Pannonia...
mentioned them in his De Viris Illustribus
De Viris Illustribus (Jerome)
De viris illustribus is a collection of short biographies of 135 authors, written in Latin, by the 4th century Latin Church Father Jerome. He completed this work at Bethlehem in 392-3 CE. The work consists of a prologue plus 135 chapters, each consisting of a brief biography. Jerome himself is...
(chap. 12).