A commentary on the shorter text of the Acts of Thecla and its new testament parallels

The thesis is a study of the shorter Greek text of the Acts of Thecla edited by Constantine Tischendorf in 1851. In 1891 R. A. Lipsius re-edited the Tischendorf text and dramatically changed the principles on which the text was chosen. This led him to support the longer text of the Acts of Thecla. The longer text of the Acts of Thecla was available to Tischendorf, though he decided against it. This thesis argues in detail that R. A. Lipsius has not followed the accepted scholarly methods for choosing a more original text and he has not demonstrated that he has convincing reasons for the choice of the longer text. Dennis MacDonald and others have posited an early oral tradition of the Acts of Thecla, without recommending the Tischendorf text as evidence of a written text earlier than that of Lipsius. This thesis recommends returning to the Tischendorf Greek text until a scholarly twenty first century version of the shorter text is available. As a written text, the Tischendorf edition reads earlier than the commonly accepted Lipsius text, perhaps by as much as almost one hundred years. This thesis also offers a new translation of the Acts of Thecla and a commentary on the narrative exploring its theology. The theology of this text is an important witness to the early Christian faith; in particular it is an important witness to the theological understanding of salvation and pastoral care of women. The thesis argues that the return to the Tischendorf text presents the Acts of Thecla in a form theologically compatible with New Testament narrative and theology. Although the thesis does not argue for, or defend, the historicity of Thecla’s story, it also does not argue against the possibility of an historical basis and oral tradition of St. Thecla. It leaves open historical possibilities compatible with the New Testament tradition of the missionary journeys of St. Paul. The thesis is a contribution to the recent scholarly movement toward a greater acceptance of the importance of Thecla in early Christianity. STATEMENT OF APPRECIATION I record here my thanks to Dr. Mary Sheather, of the Signadou Campus of Australian Catholic University, who has been my supervisor in this research. It is rarer and rarer these days to find someone who reads Greek and Latin as well as Dr. Sheather. Her attention to detail and her patience are exceptional. Dr. Sheather has been a faithful companion and steadying influence during my time of research on this text. During this time, my mother, my father, and my mother-in-law died and I changed the Christian denomination in which I hold Holy Orders. It was not an easy time to complete a research project that is so dependent on ancient language facility and insight. I also wish to thank my husband, Dr. John Quilter, lecturer in Philosophy at Australian Catholic University. His knowledge of the Greek language and the ancient world has made him an invaluable dialogue partner. The practical help in everyday life tasks which he provided made the completion of the thesis possible. I have completed this work while in full time employment with first the Uniting Church of Australia and then the Anglican Church of Australia. I wish both communions continued joy in their service of the Gospel. I am grateful for the many prayers, good wishes and encouragement of my friends and colleagues. Especially, I pray for strength for those women who follow St. Thecla in their service as leaders in the Christian Churches and those who continue to appreciate the Jewish heritage to which emerging Christianity in general, and this ancient text in particular, are indebted. I thank my women colleagues for their stalwart example as this thesis, and others like it, continue to recover women’s ancient heritage and mandate in ordained ministry.