Exam 4: General Letters

What are the General Letters in the New Testament?

A group of writings comprising Hebrews, James, 1-2 Peter, 1-3 John, and Jude.

What does the term 'Catholic Epistles' refer to?

It refers to the ancient, canonical collection of letters intended for a general Christian audience.

How did Hebrews enter the New Testament canon?

It was included in the Pauline Letters due to the belief that Paul wrote it.

When was Revelation accepted as authoritative by most Christian communities?

By the 6th century CE.

What significant event in Christian persecution occurred in 64 CE?

Emperor Nero unleashed a cruel campaign against Christians in Rome.

What was the nature of Christian persecution before 250 CE?

It was intermittent and often localized, rather than empire-wide.

What incident in Ephesus illustrates local persecution of Christians?

A mob action against Christian missionaries due to their impact on local artisans.

What was Pliny's approach to Christians as governor?

He ordered executions for those who persisted in identifying as Christians and pardoned those who recanted.

What did Trajan's policy state regarding Christians?

Christians who denied their faith and worshiped the gods must be pardoned, and they should not be actively searched for.

How did the Roman society view Christians who refused to worship the gods?

They were viewed with suspicion and faced harassment for not participating in religious activities.

What was the social status of Christians in early communities?

All Christians were of equal social status, leading to various forms of discrimination.

What is notable about the authorship of the Letter to the Hebrews?

It is anonymous and lacks a conventional salutation.

What situation does the Letter to the Hebrews address?

It addresses readers who have become sluggish in their Christian commitment and are in danger of abandoning their faith.

What hardships did the audience of Hebrews endure?

They experienced a hard struggle with sufferings and accepted the plundering of their properties.

What genre do most scholars classify the Letter to the Hebrews as?

A homily or sermon.

What is the main argument of the Letter to the Hebrews?

It presents the supremacy of Jesus and his salvation as the basis for endurance and faithfulness.

How does Hebrews support its claims about Jesus?

Through exposition of Scripture that leads to practical exhortations.

What rhetorical device is used in Hebrews to compare Jesus with Israel's traditions?

The rhetorical device of comparison.

What is the intended goal of the exposition that Jesus is superior to angels in Hebrews?

To engender confidence and assurance among the readers.

What does Hebrews emphasize about the relationship between exposition and exhortation?

They must be read in concert to understand the full message.

What is the debate surrounding the authorship of some letters attributed to Paul?

Scholars debate whether someone other than Paul wrote six of the thirteen letters attributed to him, including 2 Thessalonians, Colossians, Ephesians, and the Pastoral Letters.

What is an amanuensis in the context of Paul's letters?

An amanuensis is a secretary who dictated letters for Paul, allowing for flexibility and freedom in the production of letters.

What does pseudonymity refer to in ancient writings?

Pseudonymity refers to the practice of writing under a false name, common in the Greco-Roman world, where a disciple writes in the name of a philosophical founder.

How does the style of Ephesians differ from Paul's other letters?

Ephesians contains long, complex sentences and a more ornate style, reflecting new developments in Pauline usage and vocabulary.

What is 'Imminent Eschatology' as mentioned in Ephesians?

'Imminent Eschatology' is the expectation that Christ's return is near, bringing completion in redemption and salvation of believers.

What does 'Realized Eschatology' refer to?

'Realized Eschatology' refers to the belief that the end times and fulfillment of God's promises are already being experienced in the present.

What is the primary theme of Ephesians?

Ephesians is more reflective and contemplative, not responding to a specific problem within a congregation.

What does the introductory blessing in Ephesians praise God for?

The introductory blessing praises God for graciously bestowing 'every spiritual blessing' on the church.

What role does the church play in God's plan according to Ephesians?

The church is the body of Christ, exemplifying God's reconciling mission and uniting Jews and Gentiles into a 'new humanity.'

What practical guidance does Ephesians provide for Christian living?

Ephesians urges readers to lead a life worthy of their calling, maintain unity through love, and be 'imitators of God' and 'children of light.'

What do the Pastoral Letters focus on?

The Pastoral Letters focus on church organization, structure, and guidance.

What are Household Codes in the context of the Pastoral Letters?

Household Codes refer to the relationships within the Greco-Roman household, including master and slave, husband and wife, and father and children.

What is the scholarly consensus on the authorship of the Pastoral Letters?

Most scholars consider the Pastoral Letters to be pseudonymous, though some support Pauline authorship.

How do the Pastoral Letters differ from Paul's undisputed letters?

The vocabulary and phrasing in the Pastoral Letters differ significantly, suggesting they were produced as a unified literary corpus.

What is the difference in ministry and leadership described in the Pastoral Letters compared to Paul's letters?

The Pastoral Letters prescribe a hierarchical church structure with roles like overseers and deacons, while Paul's letters emphasize Spirit-giftedness of all believers.

What is a key characteristic of the church's mission according to Ephesians?

The church's mission involves battling 'spiritual forces of evil.'

What is the significance of the church being described as the recipient of God's grace in Ephesians?

It emphasizes the church's role as an agent of God's design to gather all things together in Christ.

What is the implication of the missing early manuscripts of Ephesians?

The missing manuscripts lead interpreters to argue that the reference to Ephesus was a later addition.

How does Ephesians portray the apostles?

Ephesians portrays the apostles in a nostalgic, commemorative manner, reflecting admiration and respect.

What does the second half of Ephesians urge readers to do?

It urges readers to maintain unity through love and provides practical guidance for Christian living.

What is the relationship between the Pastoral Letters and the Book of Acts?

Some scholars note that the language of the Pastoral Letters resembles that of Acts more than Paul's authentic writings.

What do some scholars note about the language of the Pastoral Letters?

It resembles the language of Acts more than Paul's authentic writings.

What period do the Pastoral Letters reflect in the church's development?

Near the end of the 1st or early 2nd century CE.

How do Paul's letters typically begin?

With theological reflection, followed by ethical instruction.

What is a central theological perspective in the Pastoral Letters?

They emphasize common Greco-Roman virtues reframed with Christian meaning.

What major theme is addressed in the Pastoral Letters?

False teaching.

What is the purpose of the Pastorals?

To thwart false teaching by instituting hierarchical leadership.

What do 1 Timothy and Titus omit in their structure?

The traditional thanksgiving section.

What are the false teachers associated with in the Pastoral Letters?

Myths and endless genealogies.

What practices did the false teachers promote?

Ascetic practices, such as forbidding marriage and abstaining from certain foods.

How are the false teachers described in the Pastoral Letters?

As deceivers, themselves deceived by Satan.

What hierarchical structure is applied to church organization in the Pastoral Letters?

The overseer/bishop is given authority to manage the 'household of God.'

What does the theme of 'Managing the household of God' emphasize?

Members are to demonstrate the gospel through 'good works,' unlike the false teachers.

How does 2 Timothy resemble a 'last testament'?

It contains final instructions from a dying leader, Paul, to Timothy.

What is the structural resemblance between 2 Thessalonians and 1 Thessalonians?

Both letters share a double thanksgiving, double benediction, and similar phraseology.

What is the purpose of the pseudonymous nature of 2 Thessalonians?

To address a post-Pauline audience that believes the coming of Christ 'is already here.'

What eschatological perspective does Colossians present?

A 'realized' eschatology emphasizing the benefits of the resurrection for believers.

What does Colossians assert about Christ's role in the church?

Christ is the 'head' of the church.

What does the theology of Colossians seek to correct?

A brand of Christian faith that has merged with other religious traditions.

What is a key aspect of Paul's theological reflection in the Pastoral Letters?

They intended to address specific issues within specific congregations.

How did Paul's Jewish heritage influence his convictions?

His values and perspectives were formed by a Jewish symbolic world.

What does Paul see as fulfilled through Jesus' death and resurrection?

God's plan, beginning with creation and the Abrahamic covenant.

What apocalyptic perspective does Paul embrace?

He views reality as two ages: the present evil age and the age to come.

What does the transition between ages involve, according to Paul?

God's decisive intervention, including a universal resurrection of the dead.

What does Paul teach about the present evil age?

It is passing, and a new creation is dawning.

How does Paul's apocalyptic framework shape his gospel?

He views God's salvation as a cosmic event that breaks the power of sin.

What does existence 'in Christ' signify in Paul's theology?

It signals that God's apocalyptic saving action has begun.