Historical Jesus Mid Term part one

Gospel of Mark

Shortest and earliest Gospel. Used as a source (Markan Priority) by Matthew and Luke. Ends abruptly (original ending is likely Mark 16:8).

Central Theme of Mark

The Secret Messiah (Messianic Secret). Jesus' identity is hidden/misunderstood; revealed only through his suffering on the cross.

Portrayal of Jesus in Mark

Son of God who suffers. Emphasizes action (uses 'immediately' frequently) and power over evil spirits, but also human emotion and pain.

Portrayal of Disciples in Mark

Extremely negative. The disciples are consistently dull, cowardly, and fail to understand Jesus' mission until after his death.

Gospel of Matthew

Uses Mark + Sayings Gospel Q + unique material (M). Structure built around five major discourses/speeches (e.g., Sermon on the Mount).

Central Theme of Matthew

Jesus as the New Moses and Jewish Messiah. Fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy (uses 'that it might be fulfilled' repeatedly).

Portrayal of Jesus in Matthew

The Law-Giver and Teacher. Presents a more orderly, authoritative Jesus. Birth narrative highlights his royal, Davidic lineage.

Key Literary Feature of Matthew

Strong emphasis on righteousness and ethics (e.g., Sermon on the Mount). Only Gospel to use the term 'church' ($\text{ekklesia}$).

Gospel of Luke

Uses Mark + Sayings Gospel Q + unique material (L). Paired with the Book of Acts; both addressed to Theophilus.

Central Theme of Luke

Inclusion of the Marginalized (poor, women, Samaritans, Gentiles) and the Centrality of the Holy Spirit.

Key Narrative Features of Luke

Unique infancy narratives (songs/hymns). Contains the extensive 'Travel Narrative' (Luke 9-19). Parables of reversal (Prodigal Son, Good Samaritan).

Portrayal of Jesus in Luke

Savior of All People. Jesus is deeply compassionate; his death is portrayed as a pious martyr (less emphasis on atoning sacrifice).

Gospel of John

Independent of the Synoptics (Mark, Matthew, Luke). Uses unique material; structure is based on long discourses and a sequence of seven 'signs.'

Central Theme of John

High Christology: Jesus is the pre-existent, divine Logos (Word) of God. Salvation as 'eternal life' (a present reality).

Key Literary Features of John

'I Am' statements (Seven 'I Am' Sayings), dualistic language (light/darkness, above/below), and long, reflective dialogues.

Portrayal of Jesus in John

The fully divine Son. Jesus is in complete control of events, even his own arrest and crucifixion. Focuses on ministry in Jerusalem (Synoptics focus on Galilee).

Infancy Gospel of Thomas

Likely 2nd century CE; an Aretalogy (a text detailing a hero's miracles) about Jesus' childhood (age 5-12).

Central Theme of Infancy Gospel of Thomas

Infant Prodigy: Jesus has divine power from a young age, but often uses it impulsively and punitively, showing him to be a powerful, volatile child.

Key Episodes in Infancy Gospel of Thomas

Clay Sparrows (making clay birds fly on the Sabbath). Curse Miracles (striking people dead or blind for annoying him). Schoolboy Wisdom (teaching his teachers the deeper meaning of the alphabet).

Significance of Infancy Gospel of Thomas

Satisfies curiosity about Jesus' missing years. Highlights an early view of Jesus' power that is unfiltered by adult morality or canonical theology.

Infancy Gospel of James

Likely mid-2nd century CE.

Central Theme of Infancy Gospel of James

The Perpetual Virginity of Mary. Emphasizes Mary's absolute purity before, during, and after Jesus' birth to protect her sanctity.

Key Narrative Features of Infancy Gospel of James

Unique details on Mary's parents (Anna & Joachim) and her upbringing in the Temple (fed by an angel). Joseph is a widower chosen as her guardian, not husband. Salome's examination of Mary's virginity after the birth.

Source Dependence of Infancy Gospel of James

Harmonizes and expands the canonical infancy narratives of Matthew and Luke, adding dramatic and pious legends.

Gospel of Mary

Likely early-to-mid 2nd century CE. A Post-Resurrection Dialogue text, highly Gnostic in tone.

Central Theme of Gospel of Mary

Gnosis (Secret Knowledge) over Apostolic Authority. Salvation is achieved by overcoming the bodily passions and discovering the 'child of true humanity' within.

Mary's Role in Gospel of Mary

The favored disciple who receives special, esoteric revelations (visions/teachings) from the risen Jesus. She is presented as having superior understanding compared to the male disciples.

Conflict & Criticism in Gospel of Mary

Peter and Andrew challenge Mary's authority, doubting a woman could receive such secret knowledge. Levi defends her. Reflects early Christian community tensions over women's leadership.

Core Purpose of The Complete Gospels

To present all known first and second-century gospels (canonical and non-canonical) in a single volume for scholarly and public use, free from ecclesiastical bias.

Key Feature of The Complete Gospels

The Scholars Version (SV) Translation—a fresh, contemporary English translation intended to capture the historical and literary spirit of the original Greek and Coptic texts.

Gospels Included in The Complete Gospels

The Canonical Four (Mark, Matthew, Luke, John), plus major non-canonical texts like: Sayings Gospel Q, Gospel of Thomas, Gospel of Mary, Infancy Gospel of James, Infancy Gospel of Thomas, and Gospel of Peter.

Significance of The Complete Gospels

Provided a comprehensive library of early gospel materials, demonstrating the diversity of Jesus traditions in the first two centuries of Christianity.

Tabor's Theological Topic

What key theological topic does the phrase 'A Virgin Shall Conceive' directly relate to in the New Testament accounts? A: The virgin birth of Jesus, focusing on the prophecy and fulfillment often cited from the Book of Isaiah.

Tabor's Main Theme

What is the main theme Tabor likely explores in this chapter regarding the circumstances of Jesus' birth? A: The historical interpretation of the 'virgin' prophecy versus the traditional or literal theological understanding.

Significance of 'Son of David'

What is the significance of calling Jesus a 'Son of David' in Jewish and early Christian contexts? A: It connects Jesus to the Messianic lineage of the royal house of David, crucial for validating his claim as the Messiah.

Davidic ancestry

The historical certainty or nature of the claimed lineage to King David and its importance for the Kingdom of God concept.

Unnamed Father

The concept contrasting with Joseph, the traditional earthly father of Jesus, or the Divine Father (God).

Children

Jesus' siblings (brothers and sisters), particularly those mentioned in the Gospels.

Children of a Different Father

The identity of Jesus' family and the question of whether they shared the same father or mother, impacting the Perpetual Virginity doctrine.

The Lost Years

The period between childhood (around age 12) and the start of his public ministry (around age 30), which is largely undocumented in the Gospels.

Messiah's Kingdom

A physical, political, and literal restoration of the Davidic Kingdom of Israel, 'of this world.'

Jesus' true mission

That Jesus' original vision was a tangible, earthly, and immediate political-religious Kingdom, not solely a spiritual or future one.

The Religion of Jesus

It focuses on the Jewish faith and practices of Jesus himself, separate from the later development of Christian dogma and gentile-oriented religion.

Jewish Restorationism

A type of Messianic Judaism, emphasizing adherence to the Torah and the purity of Israel.

Hearing the Voice

An allusion to the Baptism of Jesus, where a voice from heaven declares him as God's Son, or other key revelatory experiences.

Jesus' authority

The nature of Jesus' call or commission, the source of his authority (prophetic, divine, or self-proclaimed), and its impact on his ministry.

Crucial Missing Year

Chronological difficulties or gaps in the Gospel accounts of Jesus' ministry, possibly involving the sequence of events with John the Baptist or his first public acts.

Beginning of Jesus' public ministry

The Baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist and the subsequent period of preaching in Galilee.