New Testament Midterm

Dimensions of Palestine

Palestine is 45 miles wide by 145 miles long.

Five regions of Palestine

Coastal Plain, Foothills, Central Mountain Range, Jordan Valley, Eastern Mountain Range.

Administrative districts of Palestine

Judea, Galilee, Caesarea Philippi, Decapolis, Samaria, Perea.

Jewish unifying factors in Jesus’ day

Historical uniqueness, monotheism, a sense of place (Israel), messianic fervor, the synagogue, the law, and the temple.

Religious groups in Jesus' time

Pharisees, Sadducees, Zealots, etc.

Criteria for Canonicity of New Testament books

Must be written by a close friend or apostle of Jesus, centered on the true message of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Three elements of the gospel

1) God’s offer of salvation, 2) the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, 3) the call to faith in light of upcoming judgment.

Synoptic gospels

Matthew, Mark, and Luke.

Purpose of the book of Matthew

To prove that Jesus is the better Moses.

Matthew’s 5 discourses

1) The Sermon on the Mount, 2) Instructions for the 12, 3) Parables of the Kingdom, 4) Life in the Kingdom, 5) the End and Judgement.

Messianic Secret

Jesus’ instructions not to reveal his identity after healing or performing a miracle.

Purposes of the book of Luke

1) God’s universal work, 2) Jesus is the Savior of the world, 3) events of Jesus’ early life, 4) the place of women in Jesus’ ministry, 5) the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

Importance of women in Jesus’ ministry

Highlighted in the book of Luke.

John's I am statements

Includes the bread of life, the light of the world, the gate for the sheep, the good shepherd, the resurrection and the life, the way, the truth, the life, and the true vine.

Benefit of historical criticism

Provides meaning and significance for today and shows relevance to the lives of those who wrote it and those it was written to.

Number of Paul's missionary journeys

Paul took 4 missionary journeys.

Significance of Pentecost

The appearance of the Holy Spirit and God's calling of his people.

Factors for the spread of Christianity

Pax Romana, common language, social order enabling safe travels, network of roads and sea routes.

Influence of the book of Romans

Heavily influential during the Reformation.

Structure of the book of Romans

Diagnosis (knowledge of God & sinful humanity), 2 prognoses (justification and redemption), prescription (faithful servants in action).

Theologica gloriae

The theology of glory.

Theologia cruces

The theology of the cross.

Relation between theologies of glory and cross

The way to glory is through the cross.