New Testament: Epistles Flashcards
UNDERSTANDING THE FORM OF ANCIENT LETTERS: What are the three main parts of an ancient letter?
Introduction / Salutations , Body of the Letter , Final Greeting
UNDERSTANDING THE FORM OF ANCIENT LETTERS: what parts are included in the Introduction/Salutations?
Name of writer, Name(s) of Recipient(s), Greeting, Thanksgiving and/or Prayer
*this helps set up the theme and identify the purpose of the letter.
UNDERSTANDING THE FORM OF ANCIENT LETTERS: What are the parts of the body of the letter?
- Doctrinal Development [theory]
- Exhortation & Practice [practice]
*in the body, we look for the statements of truth
Epistles are occasional documents, arising ‘________’ and ‘_______’ a specific occasion.
These were letters that were written in ________ to something specific
Arising ‘OUT OF’ and ‘INTENDED FOR’ a specific occasion.
These were letters that were written in RESPONSE to something specific.
While it is easy to have the _______ before us, we may not always be certain of the ________.
While it is easy to have the ANSWER before us, we may not always be certain of the QUESTIONS.
The epistles are not primarily to present _______ theological presentation but theology _______ to specific issues or particular needs.
The eipstles are not primarily to present EXHAUSTIVE theological presentation but theology APPLIED to specific issues or particular needs.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT: TRUE OR FALSE
We must try to form a tentative but informed reconstruction of the situation that the author is addressing.
True.
*Understand the world behind the text
HISTORICAL CONTEXT: TRUE OR FALSE
Use a bible dictionary or the introduction of a commentary or study bible.
True
HISTORICAL CONTEXT: TRUE OR FALSE
Develop the habit of breaking up the epistle chapter by chapter.
False.
Develop the habit of reading through the ENTIRE epistle in ONE SITTING!
HISTORICAL CONTEXT: TRUE OR FALSE
As you read through the epistle, do not take any notes.
False
As you read through, you will want to make notes.
STEPS TO TAKE & NOTES TO MAKE
- Make it your practice to read through the entire letter in _____ sitting, from _____ to ______.
- Watch for the _____ __ _____, paying attention to the typical letter structure.
- Make it your practice to read through an entire letter in ONE sitting, from START to FINISH.
- Watch for the FLOW OF THOUGHT, paying attention to the typical letter structure.
STEPS TO TAKE & NOTES TO MAKE:
- Don’t be limited or distracted by the ______ and ______ divisions.
- Current translations tend to organize the text into _______ for us.
- Don’t be limited or distracted by the CHAPTER and VERSE divisions.
- Current translations then to organize the text into PARAGRAPHS for us.
(you are doing great!)
STEPS TO TAKE & NOTES TO MAKE
- What do you notice about the _________ themselves?
- What seems to be the author’s _________?
- recipients
6. attitude
STEPS TO TAKE & NOTES TO MAKE
- Any things mentioned about the specific _________ of the letter?
- _________ the letter’s natural, logical ________.
- occasion
8. identify, divisions
THE LITERARY CONTEXT:
In order to understand epistles, like other literature, you must think ________.
paragraphs!
*observe & trace the thought as it develops from paragraph to paragraph.
THE LITERARY CONTEXT: WHAT’S THE POINT?
- state the _____ of each paragraph. [ WHAT?]
- try to explain where this _____ with the rest of the argument. [WHY?]
content, fits
HERMENEUTICAL CONSIDERATIONS:
What is the Basic Rule (in application to the NT letters)?
The Basic Rule: a text cannot mean what it never could have meant to its author or original readers.
• 1 Cor. 13:10
HERMENEUTICAL CONSIDERATIONS
The Second Basic Rule: whenever we share ________ particulars with the first century hearers, God’s Word is to us the same as His Word is to them.
The Second Basic Rule: whenever we share CCOMPARABLE particulars with the first century hearers, God’s Word to us is the same as his Word to them.
examples: romans 3:23, ephesians 2:8, colossians 3:12
HERMENEUTICAL CONSIDERATIONS:
When we encounter ___ - _______, good exegesis helps us look beyond
the particulars for _________.
non-comparables; principles.
building the principlizing bridge - timeless truth]
• 1 Cor. 8-1
CULTURAL RELATIVITY:
Distinguish between what is essential to ______ and what is a ________ expression.
Identify what is inherently ______ and what is not.
Distinguish between what is essential to FAITH and what is a CULTURAL expression.
Identify what is inherently MORAL and what is not.
CUTLTURAL RELATIVITY:
Note where the New Testament has a _______ and _________ witness and where there are differences.
Distinguish between principles and ________ application.
Note where the New Testament has a UNIFORM and CONSISTENT witness and where there are differences.
Distinguish between principles and SPECIFIC application.
CULTURAL RELATIVITY:
Exercise ______ towards those who ________ on particulars. :)
Exercise LOVE towards those who DIFFER on particulars.
