Bible Exam II Review

Intercalation

A literary technique in the Gospel of Mark that involves inserting a story within another story, creating a 'sandwich' effect.

Messianic Secret

A theme in the Gospel of Mark where Jesus restricts disclosure of his identity until his death.

Apocalypticism

A belief system related to the impending end times, characterized by a view of history involving cosmic conflict.

Two Source Theory

A hypothesis suggesting that the Gospel of Matthew was based on the Gospel of Mark and a hypothetical source called Q.

Fulfillment Citation

References in the Gospel of Matthew indicating that events in Jesus' life fulfill Old Testament prophecies.

Ekklesia

The Greek term for 'church,' specifically used only in the Gospel of Matthew.

Ransom Theory

An atonement theory that suggests Jesus' death was a payment to Satan to release humankind from captivity.

Christus Victor

An atonement theory that describes Jesus’ death and resurrection as a victory over the powers of evil.

Penal Substitution

An atonement theory in which Jesus takes on the punishment for sin, acting as a substitute for humanity.

Moral Influence Theory

An interpretation of Jesus' sacrifice as a means to inspire humanity to turn back to God and change their lives.

Governmental Theory

• God publicly demonstrated against sin while maintaining his divinity

• Zalusus – eye

• God is a just God

View 1 – The Way of Jesus as an Interim Ethic

• Jesus believed final judgment was near

• Called his disciples to a rigorous way of life in preparation for this end

• Jesus was wrong: the end of age did not occur

• Therefore one cannot apply the Sermon on the Mount in the modern world, we don’t see our time as the world is about to end

View 2 – The Way of Jesus as an “Impossible Possibility”

• Jesus is the embodiment of defined love and calls his disciples to embody this

• Jesus calls humans to do the impossible – sin leads humans to fall short

• is the standard of human life

• Turning the other cheek only applies to private relations

• Christians aspire to love our enemies – but we cease to do so fully 

• Jesus does not offer love as a norm for public life

• Doesn’t work in a modern judicial system

• Can not expect nation-states to love enemies

View 3 – The Way of Jesus as The Way of Love

• All of Christ’s teaching is defined by his call to love God and neighbor

• Asserts that Jesus expected his followers to love all things

• Love is not an impossibility

• Love friends, neighbors, and enemies 

• Love sometimes requires the sacrifice of one’s interests

• Love applies to public life too

View 4 – The Way of Jesus as The Way of the New Age

• God’s kingdom is different than the kingdoms of this world

• Jesus proclaimed the arrival of this kingdom

• Jesus offered a way of life for the church

• The church has a mission: Christians are to reveal the reality of this new age

• Reject returning violence for violence in all its forms

• Loving the enemy