Dodson's Review (Unit 1) Flashcards
What does Dodson mean by “Interpretive Portraits” of Jesus?
Gospels are Portraits, not photographs
- artistic interpretation (authors differ)
- artists’ context matters (history AND theology)
- perspectives of the same thing
- trying to merge the portraits might end up in a mess
Meaning of Gospel
An oral proclamation of ‘good news’
4 Animals associated with the 4 Gospels
Matthew: human (begins with genealogy, human ancestry)
Mark: lion (john cry in wilderness like lion; jesus portrayed as lion)
Luke: ox (zacheriah sacrifice beginning, ox as sacrifice animal)
John: eagle (theological perspective, divinity of Christ)
Synoptic Problem
The synoptic gospels share many events. How are they related?
Two-Source Theory (3 Assumptions)
Markan priority, Luke and Matt are independent of each other, Q (Quelle) is external document that both Matt and Luke used.
Baptism differences
Matthew involves “fulfil all righteousness” explanation
Mark and Luke is “You are my son” (more personal) vs. “This is my son”
What happened around 142 BCE? What is its significance?
Maccabean Revolt. Start of Hasmonean dynasty.
Hanukkah’s celebration
Client Ruler (where?)
Someone ruling in Galilee but put there by Rome (eg. Herod Antipas)
Most important governor during the time (and where?)
Pontius Pilate; Judea
High Priest (where?)
Joseph Caiaphas; Jerusalem
Antiochus IV
Greek ruler of Seleucid empire who forcefully hellinized Jews
Jewish Groups and Characteristics (and ‘purity’)
Pharisees: oral tradition fence are authoritative (privatized purity)
Sadducees: wealthy aristocrats, Roman corroborators (institutionalized purity)
Essenes: sectarian group, discipline (isolated purity)
Zealots: political and violent movement to overthrow Rome and tried in Jewish Revolt (politicized purity)
Samaritans: Israelite descendants
What did all Jewish groups share in common?
Monotheism, divine election, Torah centrality, temple
Messianic Expectations
There was diversity. Term messiah meant royal figure who would act on behalf of God
Audience of Mark
Gentile Christians
Papias Tradition
Mark’s connection with Peter. Tradition from 2nd Century
Mark 1st verse significance
The title and Jesus as son of God
2 Sections of Mark: how is Jesus portrayed?
1st half: powerful in word and deed (1-8)
2nd half: the suffering messiah (9-16)
Interpretive center of Mark (what’s significant?)
Inclusio/Framing: healing of blind and and another healing
3 Passion predictions
Intercalation
Markan sandwich
What happens after each passion prediction?
Disciples misunderstand, then Jesus teaches them about true discipleship
Mark’s ending/conclusion
Women fled from tomb with amazement and terror, did not say a word.
Why is Mark’s beginning considered dramatic?
1) Dramatic irony: audience knows something that the characters don’t
2) prophetic fulfilment
Interpretive issues in Mark
Ex: Jesus temptation with wild beasts, Where the opening ends (v. 13 or 14-15)
How are the disciples portrayed in Mark vs. Matthew?
In Mark, it’s more negative (ex: disciples didn’t understand. (in interpretive center)
Passion Narrative in Mark
Recalls Baptism
How death is portrayed: dark, lonely, forsaken
Empty Tomb: young man in white robe
Women left and said nothing
Matthew audience
Jewish
Inclusio in Matthew
the “with you”, God’s presence, theme.
Begins with: Emmanuel (God with us)
Ends with: “I am with you always.”
What happens in each of the 5 major divisions?
A narrative and a discourse
What’s the Moses Typology in Matthew? (4 things)
Jesus is the new Moses. Lawgiver (sermon on mount), signs, leadership, infant narrative
What role is Jesus emphasized as in Matthew?
A prophet-teacher (mostly teacher)
Why Matthew has ‘Providential Beginning’? (4 things)
Divine providence surrounding beginning of Matthew:
- divine plan through star
- genealogy 7x2 DVD
- fulfilment of scripture
- dreams
Why women in genealogy?
Relates to scandalous situation of Mary. All non-Israelites
Why baptism of Jesus? Significance?
Fulfil righteousness.
Righteousness is an important theme in Matt’s first division
2 Meanings of Righteousness
1) Doing what’s right in relation to God’s covenant requirements
2) God’s saving activity: divine part of covenant relationship
Significance of Mountains
Symbolic of God’s presence and revelation.
Jesus fulfilling and not abolishing the law meaning
Fulfil: fulfils prophecies or fulfils the commandments (love, mercy)
Not antithetical to the law.
Lust is from the Greek word for
Covet
What teachings on sermon on the mount is related to the torah?
Anger/Murder and Lust. (cain, abel; covet). A shift to the heart.
How are disciples portrayed better in Matthew than Mark? How’s this tie in with Matthew theme?
They learn better in Matthew. Jesus as better teacher.
“Stilling the storm” differences
Matthew: Jesus is more in control and authoritative “you of little faith”, calms storm first.
Mark: Jesus responds to disciples. “do you still have no faith”
Great Commission
Found in Matthew, teaching theme, teaching disciples to teach the world.
Passion Narrative in Matthew
Adds earthquake, tombs opening, saints bodies raised, etc.
Guarding of tomb
Purpose of Matthew adding guarding of tomb
apologetic reasons
What type of event was the death of Christ portrayed as in Matthew?
An apocalyptic event.
