Gospels Midterm

Question 1

Structure of Matthew

Answer 1

1-4: meet Jesus, (Sermon on the Mount), 8-9: Works of Jesus, (the Mission Described), 11-12: controversies, (parables of the Kingdom), 14-17: Jesus and the disciples, (community life), 19-22: Jerusalem, (woe of unbelief and eschatological discourse), 26-28: Death and Resurrection

Question 2

What is a miracle

Answer 2

a direct (unmediated) act of God in the external world in which He works outside of the common course of events to reveal Himself, authenticate His servants, and manifest His nature and redemptive purposes.

Question 3

Do miracles still happen?

Answer 3

small m miracles: signs, spiritual gifts, healing, etc.

Question 4

Four added notes on miracles

Answer 4

Excludes amazing but common events, excludes private events, miracles demand attestation of witnesses, verify the message of Jesus

Question 5

where did the oral law come from according to the Jews?

Answer 5

God

Question 6

Why so much conflict in the Gospels?

Answer 6

spiritual warfare, Jesus upsets powerful people, Jesus distresses Jewish spiritual leaders

Question 7

what is textual criticism?

Answer 7

“lower criticism” . the what

Question 8

higher criticism

Answer 8

separated into 2 parts: historical and literary criticism. How the document was composed and what sources were used.

Question 9

literary criticism

Answer 9

Takes text at final form and analyzes it

Question 10

redaction criticism

Answer 10

focuses on authors as editors. What motivations did they have in including or omitting?

Question 11

dangers of criticism

Answer 11

assumes works are not historical and downplays theological content. See Jesus as a teacher.

Question 12

How do the Gospels establish the identity of Jesus?

Answer 12

They show Jesus’ nature early on and they use the birth narratives. Also historical reality of incarnation (Matt and Luke placing Jesus in real history)

Question 13

Jesus’ nature- Mark

Answer 13

Jesus annointed with the Spirit. Blomberg: balances Jesus’ Divinity with His humanity (by pointing out the public shame of Jesus’ death, etc.). “Son of Gpd”

Question 14

Jesus’ nature- Matthew

Answer 14

Genealogy- Son of David, sinful women, Gentiles. Isaiah 7-8. Son of David

Question 15

Jesus’ Nature- John

Answer 15

1-2 Trinitarian Prologue. Explicitly Deistic claims.

Question 16

Jesus’ Nature- Luke

Answer 16

emphasized Jesus’ humanity. Luke 2:52- increased in wisdom and stature.

Question 17

How do the 4 Gospels link Jesus to the OT prophecies?

Answer 17

Matthew 1-4 cites prophesies, Luke geneology according to Adam, Mark reference to Isaiah 40, John: tabernacle, law, lamb.

Question 18

discipleship definition

Answer 18

One who learns what God has commanded, follows it, and teaches others to do the same.

Question 19

Matthew and Discipleship

Answer 19

Oligopistoi means little faiths. Disciples slowly grew into being ready for the Great Commission. Key texts: Sermon on the Mount, charge to the 12 (Matt. 10), Community life Matt. 18

Question 20

Structure of Sermon on the Mount

Answer 20

Beatitudes (prologue), Three levels of righteousness, disciples’ proper response to teachings, invitation for crowd to respond

Question 21

Three levels of righteousness in SoM

Answer 21

Scribes (5:21-48) knowledge without Spirit, Pharisees (6:1-18) righteous but not good motives, Disciples (6:19-34) don’t seek treasure but righteousness.

Question 22

Two present tenses in Beatitudes

Answer 22

Poor in Spirit (5:3) and persecuted for righteousness sake (5:10)

Question 23

How do we interpret SoM?

Answer 23

not merely a set of commands, but directed to those who have already entered the kingdom, the disciples.

Question 24

Does the SoM apply to unbelievers?

Answer 24

No- unbelievers not capable of this level of obedience, and yes- the close (7:28) shows that people are invited to listen in.

Question 25

Parables function to

Answer 25

Hide things in a message, to break barriers of thought, to tease the mind into active listening, and to highlight specific things about Himself and the K of G. (Remember increase of parables after Matthew 13 with increased hostility).

Question 26

Important verse for kingdom being here

Answer 26

Luke 11:20- But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the Kingdom of God is upon you.

Question 27

Signs of the presence of the Kingdom

Answer 27

Good news proclaimed to the poor (Luke 4:18-21)
People respond to Gospel, enter the Kingdom (Matt. 5:3), The Messiah has come and calls sinners to repentance (Mark 2:17), Miracles prove that Jesus does messianic work (Matt. 11:1-6)

Question 28

Significance of the already not yet Kingdom

Answer 28

Clarifies our identity (image of God and sinners) and suggests avenues for ministry (preach the reign of God, kingdom is broader than the church)

Question 29

What is the goal of a miracle?

Answer 29

To show who Jesus is and that the Kingdom has arrived

Question 30

Jesus and the paralytic

Answer 30

Luke 15:17-26

Question 31

Matthew distinctive traits

Answer 31

Alludes the most to the Old Testament, Jewish (less context), proclaim Jesus as the Christ, describes discipleship and the law of God the most

Question 32

Mark distinctive traits

Answer 32

Gospel (1:1), caters to Romans, balances Divinity and humanity

Question 33

Luke distinctive traits

Answer 33

Historicity, genealogy going back to Adam, Jesus as questioning norms/reaching the unreachable