WHO WERE THE OFFICIAL TWELVE APOSTLES?

First came Andrew and his brother Simon Peter, and later, tradition says, James and John, sons of Zebedee. John seems to have been the closest to Jesus during his lifetime, and the Gospel of John is attributed to him. His brother James became the first head of the Church in Jerusalem during its first Councils, as recorded in the early chapters of Acts. Then came Phillip and Nathaniel, perhaps also brothers. Finally, there was Matthew, also called Levi; Thomas; James (the first head of the church); Simon the Zealot; and his brother Judas, who became infamous for betraying Jesus to the Jews.

Only about half of these apostles seem to have played a role in the early church’s creation and development. The number twelve likely comes from the fact that Israel had twelve sons and tribes in Genesis. After Judas’ suicide, the early church replaced him in the official list of Apostles, but he never appears again in the New Testament. Nor does Matthias. Paul of Tarsus later referred to himself as an “Apostle born out of season” because of the crucial role he came to have in the establishment of the early church through his missionary travels and letters to many early churches

In some ways, this whole business of Apostleship seems rather awkward. Jesus never really established a “church” of believers or organized his followers into any sort of hierarchy. James and Peter both seem to have “stepped up” at crucial junctures, but no record shows any official group or event formally “established” their activity. Jesus himself never seemed concerned with forming an “official” group among his followers. It was not long, however, before the “official” church was established in Rome, marking the beginning of what we know as the “Christian era.” Jesus seemed to prefer an informal arrangement among his disciples, and I think this better fit his message and person.

Indeed, an informal, direct character to relationships, even with Jesus himself, seems more characteristic of Jesus’ understanding of human relationships with God and one another. I realize this is rather “wishful thinking” on my part, but I would maintain that the Christian Church in general has come a long way from its initial beginnings and its original meaning. Perhaps the Brethren churches are closer to what Jesus intended. Or maybe it’s too late to worry about such things. I still think Jesus would resist hierarchies. 

A TRIBUTE TO MELVIN MILLER RADER

State Rep. Albert Canwell, UW President Raymond Allen, and Professor Melvin Rader met to review evidence gathered by Times reporter Ed Guthman, clearing Rader of allegations that he had attended a Communist session more than 10 years earlier. Photo Credit: Seattle Times.

Professor Rader was my first graduate school professor in the summer of 1956. I took his course in the philosophy of religion, and we studied both “world religions” and some of Søren Kierkegaard. Although I did not take additional courses with Professor Rader, his presence was always felt and highly respected around the department. Indeed, he had become rather famous for his run-in with Senator Joseph McCarthy during his Senate hearings about communism in America. McCarthy had accused Professor Rader of being a “communist sympathizer” in the Senate court. In the end, Professor Rader was fully and clearly exonerated while McCarthy faded from view.

To me, the most important thing about Professor Rader, however, was that he kept in touch with students. I did not know him well, but I do remember that he and his wife held “afternoon tea” every Friday afternoon in their home, and all his students were invited. I never heard of a single other professor there who opened their home regularly to students. I only attended a couple of Rader’s “teas,” but I know many other students did. He was not a “hail-fellow-well-liked” sort of extrovert, but Melvin Rader clearly cared about students, as seen in the way he spoke to and with them in the classroom.

As a scholar, Professor Rader produced several textbooks, which became standard material for many university classes. His “Modern Book of Esthetics” and “The Enduring Questions” became classics in their fields. Indeed, when I began my teaching career in 1960, his “Enduring Questions” served for years as my basic text for introductory courses. In fact, after he died, its publisher asked me to continue as the book’s editor, which I did for three more editions. For many years, this book remained the dominant introductory work in the field. I am very happy to have played this small part in continuing Professor Rader’s legacy.