There is much debate concerning who wrote 2 Peter. There are strong reasons for believing that Peter is actually the author of 2 Peter.
Historical and literary critics say that there is unanimous agreement that Peter did not write 2 Peter, but that is false. Conservative scholars hold to the position that Peter is the author of 2 Peter, but many other scholars unjustifiably do not count conservative scholars as “real” scholars.
Who Wrote 2 Peter? Challenges and Responses
Pseudepigraphy
Critical scholars say that 2 Peter is an example of Pseudepigraphy, which means that someone who was not Peter wrote 2 Peter under the name of Peter. They say that this was simply a normal practice during this time, and therefore is not dishonest.
However, orthodox Christians cannot accept this position because it actually involves dishonesty.
External Evidence
Critics say that before Origin, there was no external evidence stating that Peter is the author of 2 Peter. This is probably because people were suspicious of the authorship of 2 Peter due to Gnostics producing letters with Peter’s name on them.
However, the fact that 2 Peter was ultimately included as part of the canon is strong evidence that Peter is actually the author of 2 Peter.
Historical References
Paul’s Writings
Critics say that when 2 Peter talks about Paul’s letters, it is referring to all of Paul’s letters. Since it would have taken time for Paul to write all of his letters and for them to become canonized, 2 Peter must have been written after the time of Peter.
However, it is more likely that Peter is simply referring to all of Paul’s letters that have been written so far.
The Fathers
2 Peter 3:4 says this:
They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.”
Critics say that the “fathers” refers to the apostles, which means 2 Peter was written after the apostles had all died.
However, it is more likely that the “fathers” refers to the “fathers” of the Old Testament, such as Abraham, Issac, and Jacob.
