Midterm

Question 1

define synoptic gospels

Answer 1

synoptic gospels are the same stories, often with similar sequence and wording, but by different authors and from a slightly different point of view

Question 2

which gospels are synoptic?

Answer 2

Matthew, Mark and Luke

Question 3

What is the distinction between the wise and foolish man in Jesus’ parable of the Foundations?

Answer 3

Wise person hears the word and puts it into practice - he has a solid foundation. The foolish man hears the word but doesn’t do anything about it.

Question 4

What role does Mark present Jesus as having in the first unit of the gospel?

Answer 4

Messiah or teacher

Question 5

What did Josephus say about Jesus? Is it trustworthy? If so, why?

Answer 5

He said Jesus is the Messiah, and that He did and rose again. This material was interpolated into something Josephus actually did write about Jesus. We have an Arabic reference which is a more accurate version of what Josephus said. It is trustworthy because it is an extra biblical source of the life o Jesus despite the interpolation.

Question 6

Reasons for confidence in the reliability of the Gospel writings based on their manuscripts.

Answer 6

• There is 1000-1500 years between the time the earliest Roman manuscripts were written and record of the earliest copies.
• There is 50-100 years for NT being written and having copies. 5000 copies from the ancient world, so because of the short time frame and multitude of copies, the NT is deemed reliable

Question 7

Define: Christ

Answer 7

annointed in Greek

Question 8

Define: Messiah

Answer 8

annointed in Hebrew

Question 9

Define: euangellion

Answer 9

Greek term for gospels

Question 10

Faith

Answer 10

not just intellectual assent, but trust and commitment to someone

Question 11

Jesus

Answer 11

English version of the Hebrew Yeshua, meaning Jehova saves.

Question 12

gnosticism

Answer 12

belief that knowledge saves you and that you needed secret information to finally be related to God. Based on Greek idealism.

Question 13

What did Jesus mean by announcing that the Kingdom of Heaven is near?

Answer 13

Kingdom of God is here and you can enter it

Question 14

Three ways in which Jesus is different from the Rabbis of his time

Answer 14

-seek disciples /Rabbis did not
-proclaim nearness of God and how to fulfill God’s will
/ Rabbis passed on mishna
-travelled/ Rabbis were stationary

Question 15

What did Jesus teach about the Sabbath?

Answer 15

That mercy takes precedence over Sabbath restrictions or rules

Question 16

What miracles did Jesus perform on the Sabbath?

Answer 16

• Healing of the man with the shriveled hand
• Healing of the blind man
• Healing of the crippled man by the pool

Question 17

Why did Jesus perform these miracles on the Sabbath?

Answer 17

To highlight the meaning of Sabbath which is freedom from bondage and to show mercy.

Question 18

Main message of the Beatitudes

Answer 18

people who repent and turn away from who they used to be are blessed

Question 19

3 elements of a blessing

Answer 19

abundance, empowerment, affirmation

Question 20

4 responses to Jesus that are depicted in Mark 3 and their relationship to the parable of the soils in Mark 4

Answer 20

1. Critical condemnation/Pharisees/No soil; bald
2. Uncritical acclaim/Crowd/shallow soil
3. Opposition/ Family/ Good soil but bad thorns
4. Wholehearted commitment/ Disciples/ Good soil

Question 21

Main points of the parable of the soils

Answer 21

People who hear the word of God and understand it and receive it with a good and pure heart—they also put it into practice.

Question 22

What is modalism?

Answer 22

Modalism is the attempt to preserve monotheism by saying there is only one God who takes different modes. (came to Earth, died on Cross, also Holy Spirit)

Question 23

Problem with modalism?

Answer 23

Modalism portrays God has one who suffered on the cross and died which is not an accurate depiction

Question 24

What did the Councils of Nicea and Chalcedon say about Jesus and his relationship to the Father and his nature?

Answer 24

These are three persons made out of one substance - which is imprecise language.

Question 25

Aims for the 3 Quests for the historical Jesus

Answer 25

1. Show Jesus as a human being, teacher of timeless truths
2. Try to match up what Jesus said and what the church said He said.
3. Sociological and cultural investigation - Jesus looks like an anthropologist, much truer to the original gospels, but still just a human Jesus.

Question 26

Main point of Barnetts book JLH:

Answer 26

• letters of Paul are a better entry point to the gospel

- The Jesus of faith and the Jesus of History are the same person

Question 27

How Satan’s deceptive power is broken? (DA)

Answer 27

By the world being brought back to God

Question 28

What is the meaning of Jesus death? (DA)

Answer 28

To unite us with him, to save us and to unveil the deception of Satan

Question 29

Did Jesus use divine power for his own benefit?

Answer 29

No

Question 30

The nature of faith and the source of repentance is?

Answer 30

Through faith we receive the Grace of God, but it is not our savior and our remedy for sin. Source of repentence is the Holy Spirit.