New Testament Lecture Review

Flashcards about key concepts from a New Testament lecture.

Consistent Eschatology

The world will soon end through divine intervention.This view says that when Jesus talked about his second coming and the end of the world, he meant it would happen soon after he died. The big event was when Romans destroyed Jerusalem in 70 AD. All the scary things Jesus said would happen came true then. The temple was torn down and many Jewish people died or had to leave their homes. Jesus said “this generation will not pass away” before these things happened, and they did not. People who believe consistent eschatology think we are not waiting for Jesus to come back because he already did what he promised. They say the “last days” Jesus talked about were the last days of the old Jewish system, not the end of the whole world. This makes Jesus’s words about timing make sense. It means Jesus kept all his promises to his first followers exactly when he said he would

Realized Eschatology

The kingdom is an interior reality experienced through encountering Jesus. Realized eschatology means Jesus already did everything the Bible said would happen at the end times. When Jesus talked about God’s kingdom coming, he meant it was happening right then, not later. All the big promises came true during Jesus’s life - he came as Messiah, died for sins, rose from the dead, and sent the Holy Spirit.

Proleptic Eschatology

An “already but not yet” reality - present in Jesus but awaiting future fulfillment

Proleptic eschatology means that parts of the future are already happening now. It says that God’s future kingdom shows up early in small ways before the big ending comes. Jesus is the best example of this - when he lived, died, and rose again, he gave us a taste of what will happen to everyone later. His resurrection was like a preview of when all people will rise from the dead. This creates an “already and not yet” situation - some of God’s promises are already here, but not all of them yet.

Social Eschatology

Primarily about social transformation and creating counter-imperial community. Social eschatology looks at how beliefs about the end times affect whole groups of people, not just single persons. It studies how these beliefs change society and push people to work for justice now. Unlike personal eschatology that focuses on what happens to you when you die, social eschatology cares about making the world better for everyone. People who believe in social eschatology think God wants them to help fix unfair systems and help poor people today. They believe God’s kingdom should come to earth through their actions, not just wait for heaven later. This view says that working for justice and peace is part of following God. Social eschatology can bring people together around shared hopes for a better future. It can also create conflict when different groups have different ideas about how the world should change.

Functional Eschatology

Focuses on what the kingdom accomplishes rather than when it arrives

Functional eschatology looks at what beliefs about the end times actually do in real life. It studies how these beliefs work and help people. The main job of end-times teachings is to separate good from bad - God will put good people in one place and bad people in another when he judges the world. These beliefs give people hope and help them live better lives. They remind us that God will make things right in the end. Functional eschatology cares more about why these teachings matter than about when they will happen. The goal is to understand how these ideas help people today, not to predict the future.

Criterion of Embarrassment

Stories that don’t enhance Jesus’s image or the early church’s reputation are more likely to be historically accurate.

Multiple Attestation

Material appearing in several independent sources that didn’t know each other increases historical likelihood.

Criterion of Rejection and Execution

Since Jesus was executed by Roman authorities, we look for material showing he threatened people in power.

Criterion of Dissimilarity/Discontinuity

Material unlike first-century Palestinian Judaism or early church expectations is more likely authentic.

Criterion of Coherence

Material consistent with already-established authentic Jesus material gains credibility.

Pharisees

Popular among common people; sought to make Torah’s 613 laws practical for daily life; believed in resurrection from the dead.

Sadducees

Aristocratic class, often priests; Only accepted Torah as authoritative; did not believe in resurrection; sought accommodation with Romans to maintain stability

Essenes

Separatist community living at Qumran; believed all other Jews were corrupt; emphasized ritual purity; created the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Zealots/Armed Resistance Groups

Various militia groups opposing Roman rule; used guerrilla tactics; created political tension that made Romans suspicious.

Consolation

Movement toward God and goodness; produces fruits of the Spirit; directs us beyond ourselves toward service of others; sustained sense of purpose and meaning.

Desolation

Movement away from God and goodness; produces anger, frustration, strife, self-focused; lacks lasting fulfillment.

Vocation and Calling

Everyone has a fundamental vocation to spread love; involves discerning how to best serve God and others.

The Two-Fold Commandment

Love God with all you have, and love your neighbor as yourself.

Jesus's Execution

Roman method of execution suggesting Jesus was seen as a political threat.

John the Baptist

Mentioned in all four Gospels and by external historians; Baptized Jesus in the Jordan River; Represents connection between Jesus and broader Jewish renewal movements

The Sanhedrin’s Dilemma

Had to balance Jewish leadership with keeping Romans satisfied; Feared that Jesus’s actions could provoke Roman military intervention; Ultimately decided Jesus posed too great a risk to Jewish survival under Roman rule

Indifference

Instead of asking “What do I want?” you ask “What does God want?” and you’re free enough to actually follow that answer, even if it’s scary or goes against your natural preferences. Indifference = being so in love with God that you’re free to go wherever love leads you, without being held back by attachments or fears.