The Episcopate and the Parting of the Ways

In this dissertation, the use of the term episkopos and its cognates in Christ-group literature between 60 and 180 CE is analysed. Categories from Social Identity theory relating to leadership - such as prototypicality, identity entrepreneurship, identity impresarioship, and identity advancement - indicate that the emerging episcopal office in the Christ groups played a significant role in the development of a distinct Christian identity. Important Christ-group texts from the New Testament (Philippians, Acts, 1 Peter, and the Pastoral Epistles) and non-canonical writings (Didache, The Shepherd of Hermas, 1 Clement, the Ignatian letters, and Irenaeus's Against Heresies, book three) are examined. All these texts highlight the need for prototypical leadership, meaning leadership that exemplifies in-group norms. The episkopos embodies a developing specific Christian identity. The texts also develop the in-group prototype as an act of entrepreneurship, in ways that exclude certain traits, such as halakah adherence (except for the Didache). Additionally, the episkopos is viewed as a continuation of the mission of Jesus and the apostles from Acts to Irenaeus, and as a representation of the heavenly realm (Ignatius), so that Christian identity is embedded within the episcopal structure (an example of impresarioship). This suggests that the emerging episcopal office widened the gap between Christ groups and synagogues, with only the rare exception of the episcopal role in the composite text of Didache.