Intensive NT Final

Dr. Greene

Why is “context” or Sitz im Leben important?

Sitz-im-Leben means “setting in life.”

The meaning of something is only understood in context.

Taken out of context, something may be misunderstood.

List four elements which may characterize biblical faith.

Belief, trust, commitment, action.

Biblical faith is more than just mental “believing.”

What are the five major geographical subdivisions of Palestine which run north and south?

Coastal plains, Western hills, Jordan River valley/cleft, Transjordan plateau, Eastern desert

What is the meaning of covenant?

How are the two Testaments to be understood in relation to one another?

A covenant is an agreement which heralds some kind of relationship and mutual responsibility.

God established his “covenant” with the Hebrew people in the Old Testament, with all people through Jesus in the New Testament.

While the Old Testament is “promise” (cf. Gen. 12), the New Testament is “fulfillment.”

How many books are in the Bible?

The Old Testament?

The New Testament?

66 books; 39 Old Testament, 27 New Testament

The Catholic Bible also includes the Apocrypha and thus totals 78 books.

In what languages was the Bible originally written?

The Old Testament?

The New Testament?

Old Testament - Hebrew w/ bits of Aramaic

New Testament - Greek.

List at least four different types of books to be found within the New Testament.

Gospels

Acts (a theological history)

Letters

Apocalypse (Revelation).

Some might distinguish between “epistle” and “letter,” and some might add “theological tracts.”

Explain how the Bible may be seen as both “Word of God” and “words of men.” Do you agree or disagree with such a characterization? Why or why not?

The professor would suggest the Bible is the “Word of God” written in the “words of human beings.” God’s Word is made known to human beings, who express their understanding of that Word.

What three things (as presented in class) are necessary to designate something as “scripture”?

It must be written, express divine authority, and be designated as “scripture” by a particular community of faith.

What is the meaning of revelation? What is meant by “general revelation”? What is meant by “particular revelation”?

“Revelation” means to unveil or make known.

“General” revelation - to perceive God in the created order.

“Particular” revelation - an event like the Exodus or the Christ event.

What is meant by inspiration?

“Inspiration” is the divine impulse to re-present in some manner the revelation that has come to one.

History deals with what three things (as presented in class)?

Events, Facts, Interpretations

What is the relationship between the Bible and history? Why is the Bible termed “theological history”?

The Bible deals with historical events and historical peoples.

Those peoples interpret the events of history in terms of their understanding of God.

What is the full meaning of the phrase “Greco-Roman” world?

It refers to the Mediterranean world which was Greek according to culture and Roman in terms of political rule.

List three reasons why you find the New Testament hard to understand.

Subjective and personal.

List three reasons why the New Testament is easy to misunderstand.

Subjective and personal.

List five major Christian centers (cities) of the 1st century New Testament world.

Jerusalem, Rome, Corinth, Ephesus, Thessalonica, Antioch, etc.

Manuscript

Something produced by hand, abbreviated “ms.” or “mss.”

Uncial

A manuscript in all capital letters.

Minuscule

A manuscript in small, cursive script.

Papyrus

Writing material derived from a reedy plant.

Parchment

Writing material derived from animal skin, the finest grade of which was called “vellum.”

What does the term “canon” mean? Which seven New Testament books were most disputed in the formation of the canon?

Who was Athanasius and what is important about the date 367 CE?

What are four tests of “canonicity”?

Canon – an accepted or authoritative listing of sacred books.

Disputed – Hebrews, James, 2 Peter, 2 John, 3 John, Jude, Revelation

Athanasius – first to give exact listing of 27 New Testament books in the year 367 CE.

For example – (1) words of Jesus, (2) words of apostle, (3) age, (4) universal significance

Know the difference between the terms text, version, translation, and paraphrase.

Text – technically, a work given in its original language.

Version – a text translated into another language.

Translation – a rendering which moves from one language to another language.

Paraphrase – a rendering which stays in one language, but offers different wording.

Who was John Wyclif? William Tyndale?

John Wyclif (or Wycliffe) – translated Bible from Latin to English in the 14th century.

William Tyndale – translated the New Testament into English directly from the Greek in 1526; “father of the English Bible.”

List in order the first three “authorized” Bibles in English.

Great Bible (1st, 1536)

Bishops’ Bible (2nd, 1568)

King James Version (3rd, 1611)

What is the meaning of the term “Hellenism” or “Hellenistic”?

“Hellenism” refers to things Greek.

“Hellenistic” describes Greek influence after Alexander the Great in what became a “Roman” world.

What is the meaning and significance of the term “Diaspora”?

Refers to the spread or dispersion of the Jews outside Palestine after the Exile.

Who were the Seleucids and the Ptolemies?

What is their significance for Judaism?

Ptolemies–Dynasty that controlled Egypt after Alexander the Great; uncoerced Hellenization of the Jews.

Seleucids–Dynasty that controlled Syria after Alexander the Great; coerced Hellenization of the Jews.

Who was Antiochus IV Epiphanes?

Seleucid ruler who sought to forbid Judaism and coerce the Jews to worship Greek gods; provoked the Maccabean Revolt in 168 BCE by profaning the Temple.

What was the cause of the Maccabean Revolt?

Who were some principal figures of importance?

What did they accomplish?

What were the results of the revolt?

What religious developments occur during this time that are of importance to the New Testament?

Jewish revolt against desecration of the temple and of Judaism by Antiochus IV Epiphanes.

Led by family of Mattathias, a Hasmonean.

Judas Maccabaeus & his brother Simon

Judas led guerilla warfare and rededicated the Temple in 165 BCE.

Simon later gained Jewish independence.

Jewish parties, such as Sadducees and Pharisees, arise during the Maccabean period (165-63 BCE). Maccabean period ended by Roman rule in 63 BCE.

List the three basic Jewish institutions and give the basic significance of each one.

Temple – Only one, located in Jerusalem. Central place of sacrifice and worship.

Synagogue – Located wherever there were 10 or more adult male Jews. Place of gathering and study of Torah.

Sanhedrin – Jewish court which rendered legal decisions, with Great Sanhedrin located in Jerusalem.

What is the “tradition of the elders”?

The Mishnah?

The Gemara?

The Talmud?

Tradition of the elders was the equivalent of the “oral law.”

Mishnah - the writing down of the oral law in the 3rd century.

Gemara - the further development of the oral tradition after the Mishnah.

Talmud - equals the Mishnah plus the Gemara and represents authoritative Jewish tradition.

List four characteristics of the worship of Judaism.

Study of Torah

Sacrificial worship

Sabbath day observance

Preaching

Ritual observances

List three positive contributions which came as a result of Roman rule.

Pax Romana or “Roman peace.”

Unification of Mediterranean world.

Increased trade and commerce.

Better communication.

List three emperors of Rome who persecuted Christianity in the first century CE?

Claudius – banished Jews and Christians from Rome.

Nero – blamed Christians for fire in Rome.

Domitian – persecution in Asia Minor.

List three contributions of Herod the Great.

Controlled the Parthian threat.

Efficient rule over Palestine.

Building projects, including beautification of the Temple.

Who was Josephus?

First century Jewish historian, extremely important for understanding Jewish and Christian history.

List and briefly characterize (at least two characteristics each) the four Jewish parties or groups that are mentioned by Josephus.

Which one is not mentioned in the New Testament?

Sadducees – Aristocratic, priestly. Religiously conservative, politically liberal. Did not believe in resurrection.

Pharisees – Lay persons, skilled in Torah. Religiously liberal, politically conservative. Believed in resurrection.

Essenes – More conservative than Pharisees, with similar theological beliefs. Religious fundamentalists. Associated with Qumran.

Zealots – Politically liberal, who supported Jewish freedom and war against Rome.

Essenes aren’t mentioned in the New Testament

What were the major subdivisions of the great Herodian Temple?

Court of the Gentiles

Court of Women

Court of Israel

Court of the Priests

Holy of Holies

What is the importance of the Dead Sea Scrolls for the New Testament period studies?

Earliest biblical manuscripts (OT) available, dating back to 2nd century BC.

Unique writings gives insight into Judaism and Jewish sect at dawn of Christianity.

List five elements contained in the early Christian kerygma.

Kerygma–Greek word for “preaching” or “proclamation.”

Jesus was the Christ.

He fulfilled Old Testament scripture.

Jewish leadership had him put to death at the hands of the Romans.

God raised him from the dead.

Jesus reigns as Lord and will come again.

Ekklesia

Greek word for church or assembly

Koinonia

Greek word for fellowship, sharing, partnership

What were the four major groups of people reached by the gospel in the book of Acts? List them in the order reached.

Jews, Samaritans, God-fearers, Gentile pagans.

Who were the four major people groups reached by the gospel in the book of Acts in the order they were reached? To which of these groups will Paul have a ministry?

The four major people groups reached in the book of Acts were Jews, Samaritans, Gentile God-fearers, and Gentile pagans.

Paul will have a ministry to all of these except the Samaritans.

What is the meaning of the name “Jesus”?

With what Old Testament name is it to be related?

The name “Jesus” is the equivalent of the Old Testament name Joshua and means “God is salvation.”

Didache

Greek word for “teaching” or “instruction.”

Which book in the latter part of the New Testament deals particularly with translating faith into action?

James

List the five books in the latter part of the New Testament which seek to refute errors in teaching.

1, 2, 3 John, 2 Peter, Jude.

What three New Testament books were written in response to persecution of Christians?

What type of message do these books seek to offer, generally speaking?

Hebrews–issue of faith and apostasy.

1 Peter–message of hope.

Revelation–assurance, victory belongs to God.

What three areas in the church’s life called for reassessment in the latter New Testament books?

Beliefs, Worship, Authority.

As the church changed and adapted to changing conditions in the latter part of the first century, list the five areas of concern (as presented in class) with which the church had to deal.

Growth

Organization

Heresy

Social change

Frustrated hopes

External persecution.

List the three “Pastoral Epistles.”

1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus.

What arguments are generally set forth to suggest Paul did not write them?

See OAB introduction to 1 Timothy–vocabulary, style, theological usage, historical situation reflected.

What is paraenesis?

Which New Testament book is rather thoroughly paraenetic?

General moral exhortation. James.

List four themes treated in the book of Jacob (James).

Faith and Works

Controlling the Tongue

Trials and Perseverance

Warning Against Partiality and Worldliness

Which New Testament book ends like a letter even though it does not begin like a letter?

Hebrews

List five specific things which characterize either the nature or the content of the book of Hebrews.

Anonymous

pre-eminence of Christianity over Judaism

apostasy

high-priestly Christology

superiority of Christ

encouragement to faith.

What seems to be the purpose of the writing of the book of Hebrews?

To encourage to remain faithful and to reassure during a time of apostasy as a result of persecution.

What seems to be the purpose for the writing of 1 Peter?

To offer encouragement and hope to Christians facing persecution.

What is an “amanuensis”?

Is this term important with regard to 1 Peter? Why?

A professional, recording secretary.

1 Peter 5.12 mentions “Silvanus” as the author’s recording secretary or “amanuensis” who wrote the letter.

2 Peter is to be most closely associated with what other book in the New Testament?

Jude

Almost the whole book of Jude is contained in what other New Testament book?

2 Peter

What was Gnosticism?

What was Docetism?

Gnosticism was a dualistic belief that posited an ongoing struggle between good and evil.

Salvation was seen to consist of “knowing” secret things or having secret knowledge.

Gnosis = knowledge.

Docetism was a particular expression of Gnosticism attacked by 1 John, the idea that Jesus could really not have been divine, because matter (evil) and spirit (good) cannot mix.

The Docetic Gnostics were denying the reality of the incarnation. 1 John refutes.

What is the nature and purpose of the book of 1 John?

Why should it not be seen as a letter?

List three themes or concepts found in the book.

It seeks to refute and correct the heretical gnostic doctrines and teachers, particularly Docetism.

It does not begin or end like a letter. It may be a sermon or theological “tract.” Read the book.

Abiding in God, warning about antichrists, encouragement to discern the spirits, abiding in love.

What is the nature of the book of Revelation?

What type of literature is it?

Revelation is “apocalyptic” literature, which makes use of great symbolism.

“Apocalyptic” means “revelation” or “unveiling.”

It offers a visionary understanding of God and the risen Christ, coupled with God’s final re-creative victory over all forces of evil.

List four characteristics of “apocalyptic” and briefly define.

See the handout sheet.

Pessimistic appraisal of contemporary life.

Eschatological cosmic conflict.

Dualistic explanation or understanding.

Prevalence of mystery and secrecy, which will be “unveiled.”

Lack of emphasis upon the ethical.

Visions of angels and demons, woes and hope.

Numerology (including gematria, or number symbolism).

List four reasons why the book of Revelation is difficult to understand or why the book has been abused.

Subjective

One reason, to take the book literally is the worst way to interpret apocalyptic literature.

Another, keys to understanding some of its symbolism have been lost.

What three possible historical approaches are possible with regard to the book of Revelation?

What four literary approaches?

Which approaches appear best to you?

What approaches were taken in class?

Three historical approaches–primarily concerned with the past or present or the future.

Literary approaches–allegory, literary-analytical, literal, dramatic.

Best to you? Subjective.

Professor’s position–past historical, coupled with dramatic literary approach.

List five of the Seven Churches mentioned in Revelation 2-3 and characterize them.

Ephesus–Lost Love

Smyrna–Fearful

Pergamum–Overly Tolerant of Idolatry

Thyratira–Moral Compromise

Sardis–Dead, Formal Church

Philadelphia–Open Door

Laodicea–Luke-warm

List four different themes or major emphases to be found in Revelation.

Overall, victory belongs to God.

Look in the book for three more.

“Babylon” was frequently used by early Christians as a code word for what city?

Rome, capital of the Empire.

What appears to be the relevance of the book of Revelation to you? To the modern world?

Subjective

Some considerations of the Gospel of John

The Gospel of John presents a longer time of the ministry of Jesus than do the Synoptics — basically, three years versus one year.

John’s Gospel is 90% different from the Synoptics.

John may be divided into the two halves of the Book of Signs (chs 2—12) and the Book of Glory (chs 13—20), aside from the introductory and final chapters.

John’s Gospel contains a directly stated purpose at the end of chapter 20.

The “I AM” sayings characterize the Gospel of John, not the Synoptics.

Parables are absent from the Gospel of John.

Exorcisms are absent from the Gospel of John.

John is likely the latest of the four Gospels to have been written.