Exam 1 Flashcards
Hermeneutics
The way we interpret sacred texts
How the message is given to us
Proof Texting
Appealing to a biblical text to prove or justify a theological position without regard for the context of the passage they are citing
Hellenization
the historical spread of ancient Greek culture and, to a lesser extent, language, over foreign peoples conquered by Greeks or brought into their sphere of influence, particularly during the Hellenistic period following the campaigns of Alexander the Great
Heavily influences civic life the assembly, rhetoric, philosophy
Maccabees
A book within the bible that tells of the Maccabean Revolt (a Jewish revolt against Seleucid rule) lead by a priest named Mattathias and later his sons.
The doctrine expressed in the book reflects traditional Jewish teaching.
Intertestamental Period
the gap of time between the period covered by the Hebrew Bible and the period covered by the Christian New Testament
The Talmud appears during that time
Talmud / Mishnah
Appears during the 400 years of silence or the intertestamental period.
Hebrew word for “instruction, learning, or teaching
Contains the Mishnah - teachings / examples of how to apply the law
Rabbi / Talmudim
means teacher or master
Were specially chosen from among the people for their intelligence and wisdom concerning the Torah and Talmud and were treated like celebrities
Pharisees
accepted oral and written law
Concerned with “right” living - common people
precise, literal, legalistic
Believed god was involved in the world
good souls rewarded, bad souls punished - belief in resurrection
Sadducees
reject oral law accept written law
controlled the temple system - wealthy, affluent
accommodating, loose not literal or precise
Believed removed from the world and no afterlife
Essenes
live in Qumran, outside of society
wrote “hidden” law reinterpreted written law
creative, adaptive in hermeneutics
believed god will come to destroy/ renew
Zealots
Militant Jews hoping for another maccabees movement to come about
Koine
The language of the Greeks that was used to write the new testament
Canon
a starter or rule generally established as fundamental and authoritative within a field or community
In the church, to be canonized is to be given a standing of spiritual authority
Canonical
To be accepted and given a standing of authority
Didache
Also known as The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles, is a brief anonymous early Christian treatise on how to be christian
Apocrypha
Texts not included in the biblical canon
Deuterocanonical Apocrypha
Text and books included in some bibles, somewhat accepted canon
Pseudepigrapha
Texts written in the style of Biblical text ascribed to an author who did not write it. False names
2nd Generation Writings
Books used in the church but not in canon. Helps the faith in a way but are not canon
What are the three Worlds of the Text?
behind the text - historical / cultural context
inside the text - Author’s Intent / language
in Front of the Text - the reader / interpreter
Us. We have to interpret what the bible tells you. We call come to it with preconceived ideas
What cultures had an influence on Jesus’ Palestine?
Roman, Greek, Egyptian, Assyrian, Persian
What are the criteria for canonization?
Requirements for Canonization were
Apostolic Authority - was the author an eyewitness to the even or a follow of an Apostle. Was it written by whom it says it was written by?
Conformity - was the document consistent with the church’s practices and traditions
General Acceptance and Usage - was it generally accepted and used by churches as the Divine Word of God
What does Barth’s concept of Authoritative Witness mean?
“Scripture is holy and the Word of God because by the Holy Spirit it became and will become to the Church a witness to divine revelation
We are the witness that brings the book to life
What makes the book sacred. The same holy spirit that inspired it to be written is present when we read it. The object (book) comes alive as it is read. By itself, it is simple words.
What are the symbols of the four gospels?
ANGEL (or messenger) Matthew : Shows Jesus as a teacher or rabbi
LION : Mark: Shows Jesus as a person of action, a lot of my miracles and healing
OX : Luke - That Jesus came to carry our burdens
EAGLE : John: Jesus is presented in a very different way. A more abstract view.
What are the six stages of transmission in the Gospel Tradition
The historical Jesus - Jesus says and does things that are considered to be remarkable
Early tradition - people write or remember what jesus said
Redaction of the Gospels - writers compile their books
Preservation of Manuscripts - people make copies of them and spread them
Translation -
Reception
What are the symbols of the four gospels?
ANGEL (or messenger) Matthew : Shows Jesus as a teacher or rabbi
LION : Mark: Shows Jesus as a person of action, a lot of my miracles and healing
OX : Luke - That Jesus came to carry our burdens
EAGLE : John: Jesus is presented in a very different way. A more abstract view.
