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As a general introduction to Colossians, readers always face the questions of who wrote the letter, when, who is the intended audience, what is the purpose for writing, what are the themes, how does this writing compare with other writings, and what is the letter's authenticity? As to the latter question of authenticity, its genuineness has been, as Daniel Wallace points out, "assailed on critical grounds" by T. Mayerhoff, F.C. Baur and the Tübingen school (See Wallace below). General consensus seems to suggest Colossians was written by Paul, or should have been since it so closely structures a Paulinian theology, in the end 50's to early 60's during Paul's first Roman imprisonment.The purpose for the letter seems to have been to combat new and popular teaching that would subvert the pure gospel. New Advent says Colossians was written to combat a number of worldly teachings: