Comprehensive Gospels and New Testament Study Guide

Why do the New Testament and Old Testament need each other?

The Old Testament sets up necessary categories (like Covenant and Messiah) for understanding the New Testament, and it contains shadows that the New Testament clarifies.

What does the genealogy in Matthew 1 signify?

It emphasizes Jesus as the son of David, focusing on Abraham and David, highlighting Jesus as the promise made to them.

What is the summary of the Old Testament?

It is about God searching for a faithful covenant partner.

What are the three meanings of canon?

1. It teaches us what we are to believe, 2. It instructs us on how we are to behave, 3. It provides authority.

What is the difference between recognizing the canon and determining the canon?

Recognizing the canon acknowledges what is already divine, while determining the canon involves taking a human document and rubber-stamping it.

What are the implications of canon?

The implications include authority, unity, and diversity.

What genre do the gospels belong to?

They are classified as ancient bioi.

What is the significance of the gospels being both history and theology?

They convey theological truths, such as the payment for our sins, beyond just historical accounts.

What does Matthew 19 teach about the law?

It shows that the law does not save; instead, it exposes the heart, revealing a heart enslaved to sin.

How should we interpret the gospels?

By tracing the plot and providing explanations that connect all the pieces.

What is the meaning of the prodigal son parable?

It focuses on the older brother, highlighting the rebuke of a hardened heart.

What is known about the authorship of the gospels?

The gospels are anonymous, but their authors are known despite not being named.

What is a literary distinctive of Matthew?

It features significant discourse, such as the Sermon on the Mount.

What is the main theme of Matthew?

Jesus is the Messiah, with a Jewish flavor, creating a people marked by true righteousness.

What does fulfillment in Matthew relate to?

It relates to the virgin birth and the concept of trajectory or typology.

What is the purpose of the Sermon on the Mount?

To define righteousness, which is understood as wholeness.

What is the nature of righteousness according to the Sermon on the Mount?

It is about wholeness and involves working out a new heart; faith alone saves, but that faith is never alone.

What is the problem with the Pharisees?

They are characterized as hypocrites.

How does Jesus fulfill the Law?

By offering a new heart and teaching what true righteousness looks like.

What events are described in the Olivet Discourse?

1. Destruction of the temple, 2. The second coming.

What are the arguments for a complex reading of the Olivet Discourse?

1. Context, 2. Temporal markers, 3. The nature of apocalyptic language.

What is the source of Mark's Gospel?

It was written by John Mark, but the source is Peter's gospel.

What are the literary features of Mark's gospel?

1. Marken sandwiches, 2. Literary real estate.

What is the main theme of Mark?

Jesus as the Son of God who gave his life as a ransom for many.

How does Mark communicate Jesus' divinity?

By using Old Testament prophecy and the voice of John the Baptist to prepare the way for Jesus.

What is the meaning of the miracle in Mark 8?

It parallels the disciples' spiritual blindness being transformed into sight.

How does Mark convey the theological purpose of Christ's death?

Through the Lord's Supper, indicating the blood of the covenant, and the tearing of the veil after his death.

What evidence supports Luke's authorship?

Marcion, an early heretic, named Luke as the author, along with internal evidence from Acts using first-person narrative and sophisticated Greek.

What are the literary features of Luke?

It includes parables and the journey to Jerusalem.

What is the main theme of Luke?

Jesus as the savior of all.

What are the sub-themes of Luke?

1. Jesus and the Holy Spirit, 2. Alignment with the Old Testament, 3. Focus on the disenfranchised.

What is the purpose of parables?

To clarify truths for those who understand while obscuring them for those who do not.

What are the principles of parables?

1. Stories, 2. Context, 3. Theology over history, 4. One main point.

What is the point of the Rich Man and Lazarus parable?

It emphasizes the sufficiency of Scriptures and critiques the love of money that prevents belief in God.

What are the literary features of John?

1. Distinct from the synoptics, 2. Seven signs, 3. Prologue, 4. High priestly prayer, 5. Long discourses.

What is the main theme of John?

Jesus is God, the divine Son incarnate, and belief in him is necessary for salvation.

What does the term 'Son of God' signify?

It is a precursor to the Trinity, indicating Jesus is God but distinct from the Father.

What is the purpose of John's use of the Word?

1. To connect to the Old Testament, showing the Son as the agent of creation and revealing the Father, 2. To challenge contemporary worldviews.

What is the nature of belief in the context of salvation?

1. It is a condition for salvation, 2. It comes from the Spirit, 3. It is preserved by God but requires perseverance.