Teachings of Jesus Exam 2

How many titles are used for Jesus in the New Testament according to Stein? (MMJT 1)

Well over 40

What is one of the most frequently used titles for Jesus in the Gospels, and also the focus of Stein's book for this section of the class? (MMJT 1)

Teacher

How many times is the title of "teacher" used to describe Jesus in the four Gospels? (MMJT 1)

45

How many times is the Aramaic title of "Rabbi" used for Jesus in the Gospels? (MMJT 1)

14

What were some similarities between Jesus and the other rabbis of his day (MMJT 1-2)

-Proclaimed the divine law

-Taught in the synagogues

-Gathered disciples

-Debated with the scribe

-Was asked to settle legal disputes

-Sat as he taught

-Supported his teaching with scripture

-Used poetic-didactic techniques to help his disciples memorize

What were some differences between Jesus and the other rabbis of his day (MMJT 2)

-Jesus often taught in the open fields and countryside as well as in the synagogues

-His association with women, tax collectors, sinners, and children

-The relationship between Jesus and his disciples also differed from that between the rabbis and their disciples. Normally a pupil (talmid) was a disciple of the tradition of his teacher, but the disciples of Jesus were exactly that-disciples of Jesus himself.

What are some of the reasons that we can characterize Jesus as a sage or wise man according to Stein? (MMJT 2-3)

-Abundant use of proverbs, parables, paradox, metaphor, and so forth

-Similarities in content

-Jesus spoke of himself as a wise man

What are some of the reasons that we can characterize Jesus as a prophet according to Stein? (MMJT 3-4)

-Worked miracles and signs

-Claimed the possesion of the Spirit, through whom he was aware that he possessed a divine calling and anointing

-His message was prophetic in the sense that it was concerned with the relationship of God to the course of history both in the present and in the future

-Fond of cosmic and hyperbolic terminology

-Foresaw that his message would not be greeted any more favorably than messages before him

What were the three languages of Jesus? (MMJT 4-6)

-A Galilean version of western Aramaic (read and speak)

-Hebrew (read and speak)

-Greek (at least speak)

What is a Talmudim?

Student/follower of the Torah

What is an Aramaism? (MMJT 5)

Greek translations of sayings that were originally in Aramaic

Sitze-im-Leben

-Hebrew Scriptures

-Judaism

-Jesus

-Early Church

-Later Church

-Us

Criteria of Authenticity (JM 46-49)

1. Multiple Attestation

2. Multiple Forms

3. Aramaic Linguistic Phenomena

4. Palestinian Environmental Phenomena

5. Dissimilarity

6. Divergent Patterns from Developing Tradition

7. Tendencies of the Developing Tradition

8. Environmental Contradiction

9. Contradiction of Authentic Sayings

10. Coherence [added by Greene]

11. Embarrassment [added by Greene]

Focal Criteria

-Dissimilarity

-Coherence

-Multiple Attestation

Crucial areas of authenticity

-Kingdom of God teaching

-Parables

-Model prayer tradition

What are the main forms and techniques that Jesus employed, as identified by Stein (MMJT 7-32)

Overstatement

Hyperbole

Pun

Simile

Metaphor

Proverb

Riddle

Paradox

A Fortiori

Irony

Use of Questions

Parabolic or Figurative Actions

Poetry

Overstatement (MMJT 8)

Overstating a truth in such a way that the resulting exaggeration forcefully brought home the point being made

The words that Jesus spokes were not intended to be an end in themselves, but... (MMJT 9)

...to serve rather as a vehicle to convey his message

Hyperbole (MMJT 11)

Distinguished from overstatement by the degree of exaggeration involved. Overstatement could be understood literally, though incorrectly; hyperbole's gross exaggeration makes such a literal fulfillment impossible

Pun (MMJT 12)

A play on words in which either homonyms suggest two or more different meanings or the same may have two different meanings

Simile (MMJT 14)

An explicit comparison between two things that are esssentially unlike each other and that are introdue by a connective such as "like," "as," or "than" or by a verb such as "seems"

Metaphor (MMJT 15)

A metaphor, like a simile, is a comparison between two essentially unlike things. IN contrast to a simile, however, where an explicit comparison is made, the metaphor makes an implicit comparison

Proverb (MMJT 17)

A terse pithy saying that contains in a striking manner a memorable statement

Riddle (MMJT 18)

Involves a match of wits in which the individual is challenged to discover the concealed meaning of the saying

Paradox (MMJT 19)

Statement that may appear self-contradictory, absurd, or at variance with common sense to Jesus' audience even if, upon investigation or when explained, they prove to be logical

How must we understand paradox in Jesus' teachings? (MMJT 19)

We must understand them in the light of the beliefs and values present in Jesus' day among his contemporaries

A fortiori (MMJT 20)

A type of argument in which the conclusion follows with even greater logical necessity than the already accepted fact or conclusion previously given

Irony (MMJT 21)

The subtle use of contrast between what is actually stated and what is more or less wryly suggested

The use of questions (MMJT 23)

The purpose of questions was to draw from the audience the correct answer sought by the teacher

Who made famous the use of questions in teaching? (MMJT 23)

Socrates

What more polemical method of the use of questions did Jesus employ? (MMJT 23)

Counter-question, a method of argumentation. Jesus often used this method in response to a hostile audience or question from his audience

What was Jesus' most frequent use of question? (MMJT 24)

A rhetorical device; not drawing a response but instead, producing an effect

Parabolic or figurative actions (MMJT 25)

Not simply an illustration to support a verbal utterance, but the teaching was nonverbal and contained in the action itself

Is the poetry of Jesus found in rhyme or rhythm? (MMJT 26)

Rhythm

What expression is frequently used to describe the form of Jesus' poetry? (MMJT 26)

Parallelismus membrorum, or parallelism in the members

What are the five types of parallelism used by Jesus as identified by Stein? (MMJT 27)

-Synonymous

-Antithetical

-Synthetic

-Step or climactic

-Chiasmic

Synonomous parallelism (MMJT 27)

Correspondence between the various lines or strophes, and the lines that follow are essentially synonymous repetitions of the first

Antithetical parallelism (MMJT 28)

The second lines contrasts with the first line and instead of providing a synonymous parallel provides an antithetical one

Synthetic parallelism (MMJT 28)

Also called formal or constructive; thought of the second line neither repeats nor contrasts the thought of the first line but rather supplements and brings it to completion

Step or climactic parallelism (MMJT 29)

The second strophe takes up the thought of the first strophe and advances the thought one additional step

Chiasmic parallelism (MMJT 30)

A chiasmus is an inversion of parallel statements that results in a pattern a b / / B A

What two conclusions can we draw from Jesus' use of parallelism and poetry? (MMJT 31)

-He must have spent time in organizing his teaching and preparing its form

-He no doubt used such forms in order to help his listeners remember more easily what he taught

How many times does the KoG appear in the New Testament?

162 (Mt. 55, Mk. 20, Lk. 46, Acts 8, Jn. 5, Paul 14, Apoc. 9)

How many times does the KoG appear in the Synoptics?

121

How many times does the KoG appear in the words of Jesus?

88 times in 43 different passage sections of GP

"Kingdom" in different languages

Hebrew-malkuth

Aramaic-malkutha

Greek-basileia

Is the Kingdom of God synonymous with the Kingdom of Heaven?

Yes, due to circumlocution/periphrasis

Eschatology

Not "last things" in time, but rather the time of ultimate fulfillment of God's will and promises

Apocalyptic

Not "escape to heaven", but the radical and sudden inbreak of God into human history to establish his full rule upon earth

Five periods of Jewish history as they pertain to the Kingdom of God

-Pre-Prophetic Period

-Prophetic Period

-The Post-Exilic Period

-Sectarian Judaism: Dead Sea Scrolls

-Rabbinic Judaism

Pre-Prophetic Period

Kingship of Yahweh with only limited sovereignty

Can overcome other gods

Prophetic Period

Removal of limitations of kingship-universalization and spiritualization

True monotheism

The Post-Exilic Period

Development of eschatology and of apocalyptic

Optimism turned to pessimism

Sectarian Judaism: Dead Sea Scrolls

Nationalistic or sectarian expectation of a marginal group with negative social experience

Covenant renewal through divine intervention

Hope: God will intervene

Rabbinic Judaism

Eschatology, sovereignty as divine discipline

Submission to God's will through the Torah

A present and effective rule through Torah

Kaddish Prayer

Centered on the Torah

The KoG taken upon ones' self, reality present and effective

What three things did the KoG mean to a 1st century Jew?

-Eternal Sovereignty- God is now and is always King.

-Covenant Relationship- God's reign is only partially recognized.

-Divine Intervention- Time is coming when God will fully manifest his rule.(Dominant perspective)

What is the fundamental idea of the Hebrew religion's concept of the Kingdom of God?

God is Israel's King

Zoroastrianism

Radical dualism in a fight between good and evil; two ages, the present evil age v the good day to come

What did the temple come to symbolize?

God's presence

What did the prophets help to remove?

Limitations of God's sovereignty

Platonism

What we see on earth is a copy of what is in heaven, influenced judaism

What do the sectarian writings reflect?

Negative experience of a marginalized group

Day of YHWH

God showing up to make things right; beyond the day of YHWH, prophets were envisioning new golden age

Who forced hellenization of the Jews?

Antiochus IV Epiphanes

Meaning of Telos

End; end marks new beginning

Who was governor in Judea from 26-36?

Pontius Pilate

What is meant by Jesus being crucified by "lawless men?"

These were men without the Torah

Since when had the nation of Israel been under the thumb of Rome?

63 BC

How did John the Baptist's and Jesus' focuses compare?

John the Baptist-focus on the coming day of the lord, divine intervention

• Jesus-focus on the good news(gospel) of God, time is fulfilled, kingdom of god is present

How many commandments are in the Torah, and what is the split between positive and negative?

613; 248 positive and 365 negative

How long is a Sabbath day's journey?

2000 cubits/3000 feet

What was the chronological significance of both Jesus and John the Baptist? (JM 124)

The voice of prophecy was heard once again in Israel after four hundred years

What are some factors for Jesus' success according to Stein? (JM 124)

-What Jesus spoke came from God

-Teachings not derived from traditions of the past

-His personality

-Exciting manner in which he taught

What is the most famous form associated with the teaching ministry of Jesus? (JM 124)

Parable

What is the key for detecting valid allegorical details in Jesus' teachings? (JM 125)

Ask whether Jesus' original audience would have interpreted these details in such a manner

How did Jesus reveal his audience? (JM 125)

Jesus revealed his audience to be "the poor" through his words and by his parabolic actions

According to Stein, how did Jesus view his miracles? (JM 128)

As expressions and evidence that the kingdom of God had been inaugurated

Do we find in Jesus' teachings any hint that he thought his present ministry would bring about the fulfilling of Jewish nationalistic or military hopes? (JM 128)

No

Which is more accurate to Jesus' teaching: the "already" interpretation or the "not yet" interpretation of the KoG? (JM 131)

Neither; balance must be maintained between the two. Two errors arise if balance is lost: To lose sight of the "not yet," triumphal enthusiasm that is doomed to disappointment and disillusion. On the other hand, to lose sight of the "already: leads to defeatism and a defensive mentality that thwarts the spreading of the gospel throughout the world.

What do the ethical teachings of Jesus begin with? (JM 134)

A call to decision

Do the ethical teachings of Jesus stand in strong continuity with the Old Testament? (JM 135)

Yes

What are the different attempts Stein lists for systematizing the ethical teachings of Jesus? (JM 136)

-Catholic

-Utopian

-Lutheran

-Liberal

-Interim ethic

-Existentialist

Catholic interpretation of ethical teaching (JM 136)

Two level ethic; first level involves all Christians, second level is for the more dedicated to follow

Downfall: Jesus did not call people to a two-level discipleship (JM 137)

Utopian interpretation of ethical teaching (JM 136)

Directed to all Christians with the intention of forming a new society of love and peace on earth

Downfall: Jesus did not reject the role of civil government in the life of the believer (JM 137)

Lutheran interpretation of ethical teaching (JM 136)

Uncompromising demand for ethical perfection that is unattainable

Downfall: These ethical teachings are directed to those who have already experienced the grace of God and are already followers of Jesus (JM 138)

Liberal interpretation of ethical teaching (JM 137)

Seeks to implant within our hearts a new attitude

Downfall: Doing and being go hand in hand (JM 138)

Interim ethic interpretation of ethical teaching (JM 137)

Teachings of Jesus as involving an interim emergency ethic

Downfall: Fails to do justice to the fact that Jesus based his ethical teachings on creation, the Old Testament commandments, and God's character rather than an imminent future crisis (JM 138)

The existentialist interpretation of ethical teaching (JM 137)

Not a system of rules but a call to decision

Downfall: Jesus was concerned with guiding his disciples towards obedience (JM 138)

What is the downfall of all of the interpretations of Jesus' ethical teachings? (JM 137)

Each fails to understand them in their entirety

What is the central theme of Jesus' teaching? (MMJT 60)

The Kingdom of God

How many separate sayings of Jesus are the expressions "kingdom of God" and "kingdom of heaven" found in? (MMJT 60)

61

Why can we consider kingdom of God and kingdom of heaven synonymous according to Stein? (MMJT 61-63)

-Matthew frequently uses the expression "kingdom of Heaven" in the very same sayings in which Mark or Luke or both use kingdom of God

-they are used interchangeably by Matthew

-Simple logical explanation for Matthew's choice of the one expression over the other: unlike the gospels of Mark and Luke, which were written for gentile believers, Matthew was written for Jewish believers

What are the four main schools of interpretation of the Kingdom of God (MMJT 65-69)

-Political school: KoG a code word for the establishment of a political kingdom on earth

-Noneschatological school: KoG was an inward moral ethic that Jesus emphasized; present reign of God in heart of believer

-Consistent eschatological school: KoG at the end of history and the inauguration of a new age; future reign of God that Jesus believed to be inaugurated in the near future

-Realized eschatological school: KoG not some future manifestation of the rule of God but a present reality in the ministry of Jesus

What two periods of time does John the Baptist separate? (MMJT 70-71)

-Period of law and prophets

-Period of Jesus

How is the KoG frequently portrayed in Jesus' parables? (MMJT 75)

As a future event

What are the four methods as listed by Stein of weighing the biblical data to determine the nature of the KoG? (MMJT 76)

-Ignore "future" data and accept only the "present"

-Ignore "present" data and accept only the future

-Look at both sets of data and see which appears more frequently

-Attempt to harmonize the two sets of data

How does Stein harmonize the now and not yet nature of the Kingdom of God? (MMJT 78)

Understood in the dynamic sense of the reign of God, the kingdom of God can be a present reality that has come in a unique way in and through the ministry of Jesus as well as a future more perfect manifestation of that reign

What two dangers must be avoided with respect to Jesus' teaching concerning the KoG according to Stein? (MMJT 80-81)

-Conceptual misunderstanding of how the kingdom relates to the OT

-Placing a one-sided emphasis either on the "now" or on the "not yet" aspects of the kingdom

What did Jesus say about the KoG, as listed by Greene in class?

-Like a mustard seed

-Like leaven or yeast in dough

-Like someone in search of a pearl or valuable treasure

-Near at hand and opening

-People near the kingdom, but other people far from kingdom

-People able to enter, but other people excluded

Did Jesus charge his disciples to "Build the kingdom of God?"

No