4 reasons to study the New Testament
to be literate
to better understand and interpret the new testament
to grow as a christian
to know and be in a relationship with God
what is the greek meaning of "bible"
book, document, scroll
what is the structure of the bible
39 books in the Old Testament 27 books in the New Testament 66 books in the whole Bible
What is the foci of the Bible?
Works of God
Will of God
Ways of God
Purpose of Humans
Problems of Humans
Promise of Humans
what us the use of the new covenant in the bible
the covenant to put his law within them and to tell the coming of the messiah
the new testament is:
a collection of canonical documents that, along with the old testament, form the authoritative texts for Christianity
Inspired:
the product of the movement of God
Authoritative:
The NT has the right to command authority and belief
Inerrant:
without error
relationship of the OT and the NT:
Unity and Progression
Major divisions of the New Testament
Gospels, Acts, Epistles, Revelation
The New Testament like, the entire bible is written by:
God and Men
Interpretation is:
The science and art of discovering the meaning of a text, symbol, and other means of conveying meaning
5 steps to interpretation
learn the relevant background
note the genre
observe the text
observe the text in its literary context
approach the text humbly
translation is
an expression of the meaning of a communication found in the source alnguage into the receptor language
Basic Problem of Translation
Original Language → Historical Distance → Receptor Language (A distance of both language and time)
don't assume that:
literal automatically equals accurate
formal approaches
attempt to maintain structure and are less sensitive to receptor language
functional approaches
are thought to thought, less sensitive to source language
paraphrasing
is not a translation
choose a translation that:
uses modern English
is based on the standard Hebrew and greek text
was translated by a committee,
is appropriate for your purpose
Ancient Near East
the area between the Mediterranean and the Tigris, where the bible occurred
Geographical zones of Israel
coast plain (Along the Mediterranean, Fertile Farm Land)
central hill country (Agri possible, but difficult, Fort city)
rift valley (Excellent Farm Land)
transjordan plateau (Mountainous and Defendable)
Intertestamental Period
The 400 year period between the Old and New Testaments
setting at the end of the old testament
under the rule of the Persian empire, many Jews return from Babylonian captivity
the temple and the walls of Jerusalem are rebuilt
Jews remain members of the Persian providence
what were the three empires and one kingdom
persian empire, roman empire, the greek and selecuid empire, and the macabees kingdom
roman structure
emperor, provincial rulers, kings, governors, local rulers,
Languages of the New Testament
koine greek and street language greek
writing materials:
parchment, papyrus
Reading and Written in the ANE
Reading was High Context
Books were expensive to Produce
When they are written they are considered precious
the documents of the new testaments canon were written between
A.D. 45-95
Canon
“Measuring Stick”, an authoritative list
Canonization
The Church's official process of recognizing which books are part of the scripture
Marks of Canonicity
apostolic association historicity orthodoxy the presence of divine authority
most books of the new testament were widely recognized by the end of
200 A.D.
How did we get the english bible?
inspiration transmission translation and interpretation
Textual Criticism
examines to make sure we have the best copy, closest to the original
Thesis Chapter 2-4
Jesus is the Son of God
Jesus’s Claims
His Self-centered Teaching
Contrast with other religious teachings
Says OT is pointing to him
His Direct Claims
God is his father and He sent him
“I am”
Accept “ My Lord My God” Thomas
His Indirect Claims
He forgave people of their sins
Gives life
Teach truth as one who has authority
Judge the world
Dramatized Claims
Miracles:
Feeding of 5000
Water into wine
Restored Sight
Raise Lazarus
Jesus’s Character
Jesus thought he was sinless
Doesn’t fit his humility unless he is son of God
As we draw close to God, then we are more aware of sin
Keen awareness of sin
His friends thought he was sinless
Lived with him for 3 years
Aware of their sin = he is different
Raised with OT – all humans are sinners
Aside
Enemies thought he was sinless
Highly motivated to find something wrong
Trials declared innocent
What we see ourselves
humble
Contrality of the Cross
OT prophecy
Sin Bearer (Jesus took our guilt)
“Great Exchange” (Jesus Took guilt and we receive his righteousness)
Example