Discuss the development of clergy, creed, and canon in the proto-orthodox church. Why were these instituted, and how did they help proto-orthodoxy become more successful?

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The Answer is The Pastorals exhibit three elements that helped proto-orthodoxy gain supremacy. First, they show the development of clergy (they are addressed to individuals rather than to a church or community). Second, they show the development of a set of doctrines that outline orthodox belief (the "teachings"). Finally, they show the movement toward a canon. Even though Christians did not claim a particular group of books as authoritative until the end of the second century, the words of Jesus and the apostles were deemed authoritative much earlier (1 Timothy 5:18 places Jesus' words on a par with Jewish Scripture). These three elements helped the proto-orthodox put boundaries around belief and established authorities for interpretation.

Discuss the Development of Clergy, Creed, and Canon in the Proto-Orthodox