Theology Exam Review: Key Concepts in Early Christian Texts and Authority

Apocryphal

The text written at or about the same time for the same purposes, excluded by the historical winners. Not authoritative.

Heresy

Condemned beliefs and practices of the historical losers.

Canon

Collection of books in the Bible. Also a measure/rule.

Historical Jesus

Verifiable portrait of a man who lived in the year 4 BCE - 30 CE.

Gospel

Good News, Teachings, and life of Jesus Christ.

Martyr as witness

Preach + Teach - Isnatios writes letter; Public confession - Perpetua tells dad she can't be anything but a Christian.

Text connected to the teachings of the earliest apostles

Widely read and used in worship.

Infancy Thomas

Reflects doctrinal development; Jesus is a GodMan.

Institutional Authority of a bishop

GodMan, Willing to die, Represent Eucharist; To Avoid Schism. Gives us order.

Acts of Paul and Thecla

Paul is both institutional + charismatic. Thecla is charismatic authority.

Paul's authority

Paul is given Institutional authority by the Jerusalem church. Charismatic because he wanders around / face of an angel.

Conflict/Agreement in Acts of Paul and Thecla

Agreement - Paul converts Thecla to Christianity. Conflict - Paul doesn't want Thecla to travel with him because he sees her as a distraction.

Authority in preaching

It depends, Paul has greater power because of his permission to preach. Thecla goes out and preaches before given permission by Paul.

Thomas sayings

Emanation + Return; Jesus is 100% God; Beginning is the end; Claims to be all/ Not born of Mary; Extreme Dualism = Mind>Body/ Reason>Passion; Mary (f) must become male; material world = Evil / J calls the world a carcass.

Divine spark reminder

Reminds those of us with a divine spark in us that 100% GOD/ NO HUMAN; Will be deceived into thinking about the material world. Jesus will get drunk.