THL 231: Interpretation Exam Study Guide

Five Old Testament approaches to suffering

The five Old Testament approaches to suffering include the Voice of Those Who Suffer (Lament Psalms), the Law of Retribution (Deuteronomic Principle), Suffering as Mystery (Job), Suffering as Redemptive (Servant Songs in Isaiah), and Justice Deferred (Apocalyptic Solution).

Voice of Those Who Suffer: Lament Psalms

A response to suffering in which individuals openly express grief, anger, fear, and pain to God while maintaining relationship and trust in God.

Purpose of lament in the Psalms

To give voice to suffering, protest injustice, and remain in relationship with God during hardship.

Law of Retribution (Deuteronomic Principle)

The belief that actions have consequences; obedience leads to blessings and disobedience leads to curses and suffering.

Core formula of the Deuteronomic Principle

Obey equals blessing; disobey equals curse; sin equals suffering.

Mainline explanation for suffering in ancient Israel

The Law of Retribution, which assumes suffering is the result of sin or disobedience.

Suffering as Mystery: the Book of Job

The recognition that innocent people may suffer and that suffering cannot always be explained by sin or wrongdoing.

Central theological question in Job

If God is omnipotent and just, why do innocent people suffer.

Response of Job to suffering

Job maintains relationship with God and challenges simplistic explanations of suffering.

Suffering as Redemptive: Servant Songs in Isaiah

The belief that suffering can bring healing, restoration, or benefit to others.

Justice Deferred: Apocalyptic Solution

The belief that justice will ultimately be fulfilled in the future even if injustice exists in the present.

Meaning of apocalyptic justice

The conviction that God will restore justice and defeat evil in the future.

Reason apocalyptic thinking develops

It emerges in times of oppression when justice is delayed and people trust that God will intervene.

Why are there two creation narratives in Genesis

The two creation narratives come from different historical sources and traditions that were preserved together in the biblical text.

Two sources scholars detected in Genesis

The Priestly source (P) and the Yahwist source (J).

Literary genre of Genesis 1-2

Myth, meaning a sacred story that communicates theological truth about God, humans, and creation.

Definition of myth

A sacred narrative that explains origins and expresses meaningful truths about human existence and divine purpose.

Three episodes in Genesis 1-3

Creation by word, creation from earth and breath, and expulsion from paradise.

Etiological element

A story element that explains why something exists or why something happens in human life.

Example of etiological element in Genesis

Pain in childbirth and difficulty in farming as explanations for human suffering in an agrarian society.

If Genesis is not factual history can it still be true

Yes, because it communicates meaningful theological truths about human nature, God, and the world.

Meaning of ontology

The study of the nature of being and what it means to exist as human.

Meaning of anthropology

The study of human nature and what it means to be human.

Top priority in an agrarian society

Survival through food production, reproduction, and family labor.

Meaning of agrarian patriarchy

A social system in which male authority dominates family and economic life in agricultural societies.

Meaning of patriarchal hierarchy

A social structure in which men hold authority and women are subordinate.

Definition of coverture

A legal doctrine in which a married woman's legal identity was incorporated into her husband's identity.

How Genesis influenced Western law about marriage

The idea that husband and wife become one body led to systems where the husband controlled property and authority.

Meaning of telos

The purpose or goal intended by God for creation and humanity.

Meaning of creation in Christian theology

A gift from God that carries responsibility for human care and stewardship.

Meaning of purity in ancient Israel

A system of order in which everything has its proper place in relation to God and community.

Meaning of holiness in ancient Israel

Being set apart and maintaining order consistent with God's design.

Definition of tsara'ath

A skin condition or ritual impurity described in Leviticus requiring priestly evaluation.

Is uncleanness the same as sin

No; uncleanness is a ritual status indicating disorder rather than moral wrongdoing.

Role of priest in diagnosing impurity

The priest determined whether a person was clean or unclean to maintain community order.

Meaning of being declared unclean

Temporary exclusion from social and religious participation.

Purpose of purification ritual

To restore a person to community and worship after recovery.

Meaning of stigma

A negative social label that leads to exclusion or discrimination.

Definition of prophet

A messenger chosen by God to speak and act on God's behalf.

Role of prophets in Israel

Prophets delivered God's message, challenged injustice, and mediated divine healing.

Why people went to prophets when sick

They believed prophets had access to divine power and could intercede with God.

Who people believed healed illness

God was understood as the true source of healing.

Definition of Gospel

A written proclamation of the good news about Jesus and the reign of God.

Approximate time Gospels were written

Between approximately 70 and 100 CE.

Reason there are four Gospels

Different communities preserved and interpreted traditions about Jesus in distinct ways.

Meaning of developing tradition

The process by which stories about Jesus were adapted to address the needs of different communities.

Synoptic Problem

The question of why Matthew, Mark, and Luke share similarities yet differ in details.

Two-Source Theory

The theory that Matthew and Luke used Mark and a second source called Q along with their own material.

Jesus' identity in Mark

Jesus is the Christ and Son of God empowered by the Spirit.

Jesus' mission in Mark

To inaugurate the reign of God through preaching, healing, and action.

Meaning of reign of God

God's rule bringing justice, healing, restoration, and transformation.

Source of Jesus' healing power

The Spirit received at baptism.

Deeper meaning of healing in Mark

Healing demonstrates the arrival of God's reign.

Meaning of intercalation in Mark

A narrative structure placing one story inside another to highlight comparison and deeper meaning.

Was Jesus a passive victim in Mark

No; he remained faithful to God's mission despite suffering.

Meaning of take up your cross

Remain faithful to God's mission even when suffering occurs.

Meaning of flesh is weak

Human vulnerability and limitation.

Jesus' identity in Luke

Jesus is a prophet sent by God.

Jesus' mission in Luke

To bring good news to the poor, release captives, restore sight, and free the oppressed.

Meaning of salvation in Luke

Restored relationship with God and inclusion in community.

Meaning of the word today in Luke

It signals that salvation occurs immediately in the present moment.

Meaning of repentance in Luke

A change in behavior that demonstrates commitment to justice and restoration.

Meaning of systemic injustice

Suffering caused by social structures such as political power, patriarchy, and economic inequality.

Meaning of domination system

A social system that concentrates power in the hands of a few while marginalizing others.

Meaning of gendered suffering

Suffering experienced differently by women due to patriarchal laws and social expectations.

Meaning of the passion of Jesus

His deep commitment to God's mission and his suffering and death.

Historical reason Jesus went to Jerusalem

To celebrate Passover.

Reason Passover was politically dangerous

It celebrated liberation from oppression and could inspire rebellion.

Who executed Jesus historically

Roman authorities.

Meaning of Jesus' death in Mark

Faithful suffering and commitment to God's mission.

Meaning of Jesus' death in Luke

Innocence, mercy, and immediate salvation.

Meaning of Jesus' death in John

Victory and fulfillment of divine purpose.

Reason Gospel accounts differ

Each Gospel writer shaped the story to communicate meaning to their own community.

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