Peter, the Visionary before the Pope: Early Receptions of the Apostle in Marginal Communities

Burnet, Régis [UCL]

Historically, they witness the alternative reconstruction of the memories of the Apostle Peter by a Syrian group.39 Anchored in the remembrance of Peter’s visionary abilities that probably strengthened their own ecstatic experiences, this Syrian Group gradually came into conflict with other Christian groups. The fact that their “patron saint” was also ap- propriated by these groups as the founding stone of their church may have triggered their hostility. For them, this appropriation may have been an un- bearable expropriation. Does this prove that they were lapsing into heresy? It is an open question. The fact that pagans took over their image of Peter may have speeded up the process. Unfortunately, there is not enough historical evidence to prove it. Traces of the anti-Christian polemic are scarce and do not disclose their sources. Hermeneutically, the history of the reception of Peter is a case study. It shows that the construction of a biblical figure is a selection of a few distinct features of the literary character. And according to the choice made, the result can be utterly different. If you rely upon the declaration of Jesus on the power of the keys, you build an authoritative and pontifical figure of Peter, but if you focus on the Transfiguration and the Protophany