Canon of the New Testament and Bible History (Vocabulary Flashcards)

Vocabulary flashcards covering the major concepts from the lecture notes on the writing of the Bible, the intertestamental period, the Septuagint, the canon, and key Bible translations and related topics.

Intertestamental Period

The roughly 400-year span between the Old and New Testaments when no prophets wrote Scripture; power shifted from East to West.

Silent Years

Another name for the Intertestamental Period, noting the lack of new prophetic writings.

Canon of the New Testament

The authoritative collection of 27 books recognized by Christian churches as Scripture, originally written in Koine Greek.

Koine Greek

The common dialect of Greek used in the New Testament; the original language of the New Testament writings.

Septuagint (LXX)

Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible produced for Greek-speaking Jews in Egypt; abbreviation LXX; includes Apocryphal books.

Apocryphal books

Writings included in the Septuagint but not in the Hebrew Bible; often considered non-canonical by Protestant traditions.

Hellenism

The fusion and spread of Greek culture and language throughout the Near East after Alexander the Great.

Alexander the Great

Macedonian ruler whose conquests spread Greek culture, language, and ideas across a vast empire.

Gospels

The four New Testament accounts of Jesus’ life; divided into Synoptic Gospels and the Johannine (John) gospel.

Synoptic Gospels

Matthew, Mark, and Luke—the Gospels with largely parallel content and structure.

Non-Synoptic (Johannine) Gospel

The Gospel of John, with distinctive content and style not shared with the Synoptics.

Epistle

A long instructive letter in the New Testament addressed to individuals or groups.

Pauline Epistles

Letters attributed to Paul to churches and individuals (e.g., Romans, 1–2 Corinthians, Galatians, etc.).

General Epistles

Letters addressed to broader audiences (Hebrews, James, 1–2 Peter, 1–3 John, Jude).

Acts of the Apostles

New Testament book detailing the early church’s history after Jesus’ Ascension.

Revelation

The prophetic/apocalyptic writing at the end of the New Testament.

Vulgate

The Latin translation of the Bible that became the standard text of Western Christianity.

Reformation

16th-century theological and social movement initiating vernacular Bible translation and reform of the Church.

Martin Luther

German reformer whose 1517 theses sparked the Reformation and led to vernacular Bibles.

Tyndale Bible

First major English translation (1526) from Hebrew/Greek sources, influencing later English Bibles.

Bishop’s Bible

English Bible published in 1568; a precursor in the English translation tradition.

Great Bible

English Bible published in 1539; an important pre-KJV edition used in churches.

King James Version (KJV)

1611 English translation authorized by King James I; widely used for centuries.

Geneva Bible

1560 English translation favored by Reformers; influential in early English Protestantism.

Ang Biblia

Filipino Bible translation, widely used in the Philippines. 1905

Magandang Balita Biblia

Filipino translation of the Bible (Good News Bible in Filipino).

Philippine Bible Society

Organization promoting Bible translations and distribution in the Philippines.

Inspiration of Scripture

Doctrine that all Scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, rebuking, correction, and training in righteousness.