Book Descriptions Flashcards
Gospel written by a Gentile probably to a Roman readership, most comprehensive cover of Jesus’ life from birth to ascension
LUKE
Book tracing the expansion of the early church from Jerusalem to Rome, overcoming all barriers and opposition
Acts
Letter to a church with many problems - divisions, immorality, idolatry, worship abuses, denial of the resurrection.
1 Corinthians
Prison Epistle combating heresy by stressing Christ’s supremacy in person, creation, church, and death and urging holy living
Colossians
Gospel to the Jews presenting Jesus as the promised King and Messiah, many fulfilled prophecies, 5 major teaching sections
MATTHEW
Letter focusing on Paul’s gospel of righteousness by faith, not by law; indicts all humanity; wrestles with the Jews rejection of Christ and addresses Jew-Gentile relations within the church.
Romans
An encouraging letter to a persecuted church; corrects misunderstanding about Jesus’ return, encourages respect for church leaders
1 Thessalonians
Action-packed Gospel presenting Jesus as the Son of God with all power and authority, but also suffering servant; “Messianic secret;” little teaching
MARK
Prison Epistle bearing the name of one church but probably a circular letter; focuses on God’s cosmic purpose in Christ, unifying purpose and nature of the church, all accomplished by the unimaginable power of God
Ephesians
Pastoral Epistle urging a colleague in Ephesus to carry out his task and deal with false teaching; gives instruction about the administration of the church’s activities, including caring for widows
1 Timothy
Gospel which has an abundance of great themes (light, darkness, etc.), includes 7 miracles, 7 discourses, and 7 I Am’s
John
Prison Epistle addressing several issues: reader’s concern for Paul, persecution, false teachers, disunity, and Paul’s gratitude for their gift
Philippians
Short letter to a church enduring persecution, describes the Lord’s appearance and decisive victory over the man of lawlessness, judgement of persecutors
2 Thessalonians
General Epistle written by the Lord’s brother;
JAMES
Pastoral Epistle written to a colleague on the island of Crete to guide him in the appointment of elders and the instruction of various groups in the church, and to warn him against false teaching
Titus
Last letter of an apostle to a younger colleague urging him to continue in, guard, suffer for, and preach the gospel
2 Timothy
Letter to several churches troubled by Judaizers; declares righteousness by faith not by works of the law; includes fruit of the Spirit
Galatians
General Epistle written to Jewish Christians who were tempted to revert to Judaism;
HEBREWS
Very short General Epistle which warns against hosting false teachers of an early form of Gnosticism and urges the readers to love one another and be obedient
2 JOHN
Letter urging a slave owner to receive his runaway slave back as a brother
Philemon
Letter to a troubled church expressing joy at reconciliation with them, encouraging renewal of the collection for the Jerusalem poor, defending his authority
2 Corinthians
Very short General Epistle addressed to and commending Gaius, warns against Diotrophes (who is acting in a dictatorial way), and recommends Demetrius
3 JOHN
General Epistle addressed to the persecuted Christians, mainly Gentiles
1 PETER
Book written to persecuted Christians who were suffering because of the enforcement of the emperor cult under Domitian; apocalyptic/highly symbolic; assures readers of their salvation and God’s final victory.
REVELATION
General Epistle combating an early form of Gnosticism; warns against false teaching and assures the readers of eternal life in Jesus Christ based on three tests
1 JOHN
Last letter of an apostle urging his readers to confidently to the truth and avoid false teachers, assuring them of the certainty of a new heaven & earth
2 PETER
General Epistle warning against false teachers; has striking parallels with the second chapter of another General Epistle.
JUDE
