NT Final Exam Flashcards

Question

What is the synoptic problem?

Answer 1

Defined as the literary relationship between the Matthew, Mark and Luke - For almost 1500 years, it was believed in the Church that the three were independent works written by those named authors - Today, almost all scholars conclude that Mark was written first, and Matthew and Luke used Mark in addition to other sources

Answer 2

States that 4 sources were used in the Synoptics: Mark, Q, M, L - Luke used Mark, Q and L - Matthew used Mark, Q and M

Answer 3

Length: Mark is the shortest; Matthew and Luke seem to have expanded upon it Sequence: Matthew and Luke seem to use Mark independently of each other Style: Mark’s Greek is not smooth or polished; Matthew’s and Luke’s are Difficult Content: Mark suggests at times that Jesus’ power is limited; in the parallel passages, Matthew and Luke did not Theology: Mark’s christology is lower at points than Matthew and Luke’s

Answer 4

Sitz-im-Leben (Setting in Life) life situations in the early Christian communities

Answer 5

Refers to particular life situations in the early Christian communities - A term coined by German scholars - Situations which range from the most ordinary (meals) to very dramatic events (persecution) - These life situations are important to our understanding of Jesus - They called for stories, teachings, sayings, sermons related with Jesus in order to bring faith into daily life - Scholars have ideas from the letters of Paul which they have tried to reconstruct what shaped them

Answer 6

4: Jesus Born 29: Crucifixion 35: Paul's Conversion 64: Paul's Death 70: Destruction of Temple 70: Mark 85: Matthew, Luke, Acts 96: Revelations 100: John (only 70 is a sure date)

Answer 7

"Good News"

Answer 8

The 4 Gospel writers were more interested in presenting a theological interpretation of Jesus’ words and actions than a purely factual account of his life, the Gospel writers portray Jesus as unlike any other figure of history, ale to perform miracles, rise from the dead and ascend to heaven..

Answer 9

Focus: Paint Jesus as a “hidden Messiah” who was misunderstood and devalued by his contemporaries, Mark emphasizes that jesus came to serve, to suffer and to die - but also ultimately to triumph by submitting fully to the divine will

Answer 10

Traditionally John Mark, traveling companion of Paul and the “interpreter” for Peter in Rome. The writer does not identify himself in the Gospel text, and scholars, unable to verify the mid-second century tradition of Markan authorship, regard the work as anonymous

Answer 11

John Mark, travelling companion of Paul and Peter's interpreter

Answer 12

66-70 CE (during the Jewish revolt against Rome)

Answer 13

- Primarily oral tradition - Many scholars believe that Mark used a few written sources, such as... a collection of Jesus’ parables a compilation of apocalyptic prophecies and perhaps, an order account of Jesus’s arrest, trial and execution

Answer 14

Gentile Christians suffering persecution

Answer 15

- It is about a community of Jews [Early Christians] suffering dire persecution which threatened their community’s survival - His Gospel is a response to the wars, revolts and persecutions that affected his group - Mark’s portrayal of Jesus is strikingly relevant to the precarious circumstances of Mark’s intended readers

Answer 16

Jesus' resurrection; his passion story

Answer 17

Presents Jesus as a miracle man of action who is constantly on the move from village to village, and finally journeys to jerusalem for a fatal confrontation with its religious/political authorities

Answer 18

- No infancy narrative (no one knew things about birth of Jesus or the community was not interested) - Jesus’ human/divine origins are not the focus in Mark’s gospel - The story is basically from Jesus’ Baptism to the Passion (even Jesus’ Resurrection is not given much space)

Answer 19

lowest: Mark highest: John

Answer 20

There are many instances in which Jesus feels abandoned and misunderstood by everyone, including God (example: during the journey, the disciples do not understand)

Answer 21

“The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God” Everything that transpires in the story should be interpreted in the framework of “Jesus, the Son of God”

Answer 22

Part I: Jesus Public Ministry in Galilee Part II: Teaching the Disciples on the Way to Jerusalem Part III: Jesus in Jerusalem

Answer 23

Jesus Public Ministry in Galilee | Intro & 6 sections from the first day of Jesus' ministry to his ministry in Galilee

Answer 24

Teaching the Disciples on the Way to Jerusalem | Healing of Blind Man, 3 Teaching Cycles

Answer 25

Jesus in Jerusalem | Confrontation w Authorities, Apocalyptic Discourse, Passion, Death, Empty Tomb

Answer 26

- This is probably an artificial structure. - It is convenient for Mark’s literary intentions that’s why he adopts it here. - John’s structuring of Jesus/ ministry is probably more historical.

Answer 27

1. Galilean Ministry 2. Journey/Discipleship 3. Passions

Answer 28

Mark created this structure to make it easy to follow Jesus lifetime It is a straightforward outline Matthew and especially Luke copy this structure, though they expand on them (example: Luke greatly expands Jesus in Jerusalem)

Answer 29

Mark's gospel ends with the empty tomb being discovered and the last line "and they were afraid." People were dissatisfied with this ending, so there are two attempts to provide a more satisfactory ending (the second added later on and passed off as Mark's): 1) The Shorter Ending 2) The Longer Ending

Answer 30

Jesus sends the apostles East and West to proclaim salvation

Answer 31

Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene, Two Disciples. Commissions the disciples and it ends with his Ascension (it is clearly different than Mark's style in the rest of the manuscripts, possibly written in 2nd c)

Answer 32

1) Internal Evidence (more important) | 2) External Evidence

Answer 33

Speculating on the historical origins of the gospel strictly based on an examination of the literary work itself: structure, themes, vocabulary, characters, plot, etc. And then, doing a historical reconstruction based on those factors

Answer 34

Depending on external witnesses which allegedly say how literary work (gospel) came into being

Answer 35

``` Eusebius of Caesarea quotes that (263-339 CE) … ^ Papias wrote that (130-140 CE) … ^ A “presbyter” testified that … ^ Mark had been Peter’s secretary …. ```

Answer 36

Papias, who was a bishop in 130 or 140 CE An early Church historian, Eusebius of Caesarea, quotes Papias as writing that an unnamed presbyter (church elder) was his source Papers: "This, too, the presbyter used to say: 'Mark, who had been Peter’s interpreter, wrote down carefully, but not in order, all that he remembered from the Lord’s sayings and doings… '"

Answer 37

Papias, who was a bishop in 130 or 140 CE An early Church historian, Eusebius of Caesarea, quotes Papias as writing that an unnamed presbyter (church elder) was his source Papias: "This, too, the presbyter used to say: 'Mark, who had been Peter’s interpreter, wrote down carefully, but not in order, all that he remembered from the Lord’s sayings and doings… '"

Answer 38

1) Inclusion | 2) Intercalation

Answer 39

Bracketing or enclosing or a story or section by using the same or similar words, phrases or themes at the beginning and the end A1) A paralytic is brought to Jesus B) Dispute over Jesus’ authority to forgive sins A2) Jesus heals the paralytic

Answer 40

Enclosing or sandwiching one story in the middle of a different story (forming an A1, B, A2 pattern) so that each affects the interpretation of the other A1) Jarius asks Jesus to heal his dying daughter B) A hemorrhaging woman touches Jesus’ clothing A2) Jesus raises the daughter of Jairus to life

Answer 41

In Mark, people have observed - what has come to be known as a “Messianic Secret.” - The messianic secret as scholars describe it does exist in the gospel of Mark

Answer 42

In Mark, people have observed - what has come to be known as a “Messianic Secret.” It is a motif primarily used in the Gospel of Mark in which Jesus is prorated commanding his followers to maintain silence about his Messianic mission

Answer 43

Jesus does not want people who he reveals he is the messiah to (demons and his followers) to tell others about it

Answer 44

Perhaps as a literary device to highlight Jesus' glory

Answer 45

The Historical Explanation: Did the Messianic secret originate in the historical Jesus himself? The Created Explanation: If not, was it created by Mark or was it pre-Markan? Difficult to say.

Answer 46

1) To explain why the majority of Jews did not accept Jesus. 2) Originated in suffering, crises and discouragement facing Mark’s community that prompted him to emphasize a “theology of the cross” 3) To oppose people who were emphasizing the figure of Jesus as a ‘wonder-worker’ kind of Messiah (theios aner).

Answer 47

Jesus is the fulfilment of the Covenant promises made by God to Israel

Answer 48

28 Chapters

Answer 49

Traditionally, the Apostle Matthew, a tax collector (Mt 9:9-13)

Answer 50

Matthew used Mark as a source, the date could be around the 80s CE.

Answer 51

Palestine or Syrian Antioch

Answer 52

A community of predominantly Jewish Christians but which also had gentile believers

Answer 53

To demonstrate that Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s covenant with Israel

Answer 54

- Jesus, his family and all his earliest disciples were 1st century Palestinian Jews who valued their religious tradition deeply - Matthew is the most Jewish Gospel - The Jesus Movement originally started as a movement to renew Israel. Case in Point: Jesus’ choice of “12” special apostles - A central theme in Matthew is his comparison of Jesus to David and Moses - Matthew is a Torah Sandwich (Midrasnhic gospel style that follows that Hebrew Bible)

Answer 55

1) Why were some of the disciples closest to him (James, Peter?, etc.) unsure of how to treat gentiles who wanted to be Christians in the earliest years? 2) Why was Paul (champion of gentile-Christians) constantly opposed?

Answer 56

``` It’s structure is highly noteworthy... Part 1) Genealogy and Infancy Narrative: 1-2 1. Narrative: 3–4 & First Discourse: "Sermon on Mount" 2. Narrative: 8–9 & Second Discourse: "Missionary Instructions" 3. Narrative: 11–12 & Third Discourse: "Parables Collection" 4. Narrative: 14–17 & Fourth Discourse: "Community Instructions" 5. Narrative: 19–22 & Fifth Discourse: ``` Part 2) "Eschatological Sermon" Passion and Resurrection of Jesus: 26-28

Answer 57

Note: This structure was not invented by modern scholars, but is indicated by Matthew himself, who at the end of each of these five discourses writes, “When Jesus had finished saying these things…” (or similar things)

Answer 58

A narrative part and a discourse part... - Matthew has 5 narratives (narratives are Jesus) - Why 5? The Torah has 5 books and is the law of Judaism - When Matthew does this, he is saying that Jesus’ life and ministry/teaching is the new Torah; it is the new laws for Christians - A Torah sandwich: Jesus’ life and teachings = the NEW TORAH - Matthew is the most Jewish of the Gospels - Matthew had TRADITION (his Jewish Tradition) - Matthew had INNOVATION (the “freshness” that Jesus brought with his life, teaching, death, and resurrection)

Answer 59

Why 5? - The Torah has 5 books and is the law of Judaism - When Matthew does this, he is saying that Jesus’ life and ministry/teaching is the new Torah; it is the new laws for Christians - A Torah sandwich: Jesus’ life and teachings = the NEW TORAH

Answer 60

Jesus is the fulfilment of the promises made by God to Israel 1) The Torah sandwich 2) The “midrash” structure

Answer 61

How does one reconcile one’s deep love for and attachment to Israel with the faith that Jesus is the Messiah sent by God?

Answer 62

Midrash denotes a typical Jewish way of interpreting scriptures... Expounding meaning of a scripture by relating sacred texts & events to one another

Answer 63

Midrash denotes a typical Jewish way of interpreting scriptures... - Midrash is way of interpreting Scriptures that relates a part of Scripture to other parts, elucidating the meaning of the verse being studies by such associations - Matthew wanted to elucidate the relevance of Jesus for his largely Jewish audience and he does this (in midrashic style) by relating the figure of Jesus to personages and events of Israel’s sacred past - Matthew’s midrash served to illumine the meaning of present events by relating them to figures and events of Israel’s sacred past. - Matthew relates Jesus to the stories surrounding the prophet Jonah as well as to stories related to King Solomon in order to drive home an important message about Jesus and a stern warning against the hardened hearts of some of his contemporaries - Two dominant figures stand out in Matthew’s portrayal of Jesus: David and Moses

Answer 64

David and Moses

Answer 65

Jesus, the Teacher (Rabbi) - Matthew demonstrates Jesus as a Rabbi (a central figure in every Jew’s life) - We see this in the Sermon of the Mount (the 8 beatitudes) - Of course, to any Jew, “mountain” would suggest Mt. Sinai, where the Law was given and the Covenant was sealed. - Matthew wants to say then that Jesus is the new Moses, his going up a mountain recalls Moses going up to Mt. Sinai, receiving the Law and teaching it to Israel

Answer 66

The expression “the Law and the Prophets” is referred cumulatively to all the things that Jews held as most dear and component of their religious identity (their whole religious tradition).

Answer 67

Matthew sees Jesus not as abrogating the Law but rather as bringing it to completion Hence, the Law stands; it is realized perfectly by means of faith in Jesus.

Answer 68

Following Jesus the compassionate saviour of the world who was inclusive of all marginalized people (to show that Christianity is for everyone, Jews and Gentiles alike)

Answer 69

- Traditionally, Luke the physician and co-worker with Paul - Today, a minority keep to traditional view, but most view the author as an unknown gentile-Christian convert of the second Christian generation - Well educated in Greek literature, writes the best Greek in the entire New Testament so we know he was a very well-educated, Greek-native speaker

Answer 70

- Traditionally, Luke the physician and co-worker with Paul

Answer 71

- An unknown gentile-Christian convert of the second Christian generation - Well educated in Greek literature, writes the best Greek in the entire New Testament so we know he was a very well-educated, Greek-native speaker

Answer 72

Gentile Christians - Jesus is also a saviour of the gentiles, not only the Jews - Writing to a Greco-Roman audience that Christianity is universal - Also explains that Jesus and his disciples are innocent of any crime against Rome

Answer 73

Probably in the late 80s

Answer 74

Probably in an urban setting - the precise city cannot be located (Antioch?)

Answer 75

Mark, Q and L (material found only in Luke probably not written by the author)

Answer 76

- Possibly to show how Jesus in his life and ministry had a prediction for the downtrodden - That is the basis for the inclusion of the gentiles in God’s universal plan of salvation - Gentiles were the bottom of the purity chain, the most marginalized people for Jews God is opening up salvation to everyone - His strategy to prove this is to show that Jesus is especially compassionate to the marginalized people (obviously he could not lie and say that Jesus went to America, like the mormons claims

Answer 77

Gospel of Luke: Jesus Acts: Jesus’ Resurrection Acts is somewhat of a direct continuation of his gospel We have no doubt that the author of the Acts is the same as the author of the Gospel of Luke since in the preface of Luke and beginning of the Acts, they make it clear The end of Luke and the beginning of the Acts overlap significantly, coupling the two Luke and Acts share a common picture of Jesus and his movement, along with particular views of eschatology, the Holy spirit, prayer, etc. Luke shows Jesus accomplishing his journey to Jerusalem; Acts shows the Christian church spreading to the “ends of the Earth” (i.e. Rome)

Answer 78

The Acts of the Apostles

Answer 79

- We have no doubt that the author of the Acts is the same as the author of the Gospel of Luke since in the preface of Luke and beginning of the Acts, they make it clear - The end of Luke and the beginning of the Acts overlap significantly, coupling the two - Luke and Acts share a common picture of Jesus and his movement, along with particular views of eschatology, the Holy spirit, prayer, etc. - Luke shows Jesus accomplishing his journey to Jerusalem; Acts shows the Christian church spreading to the “ends of the Earth” (i.e. Rome)

Answer 80

1. Prologue 2. Infancy Narrative: conception, birth and childhood of John the Baptist and Jesus 3. Jesus’ baptism, genealogy, temptations 4. Galilean Ministry 5. “Center Section”: Journey to Jerusalem (9:51- 19:27) 6. Ministry in Jerusalem 7. Last Supper and passion narrative 8. Resurrection appearances, ascent

Answer 81

Luke supplements it with infancy narratives in chapters 1-2, and the resurrection appearance narratives and ascent in chapter 24. Also, the center section is an alteration from Mark, lengthening out Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem dramatically.

Answer 82

The Centre Section: Jesus’ Journey to Jerusalem | (9:51-19:27) - 10 Chapters

Answer 83

This lengthy narrative is worked by Luke from sources: Mark, Q, L

Answer 84

1. The Holy Spirit 2. Prayer 3. Prayers and hymns 4. COMPASSION AND INCLUSIVITY - Jesus’ concern for women - Jesus’ affinity with the unrespectable, poor, disadvantaged, excluded, etc. - Christianity as a universal faith - Jesus as a “Saviour” 5. Innocence of Jesus and his followers

Answer 85

- Jesus’ concern for women - Jesus’ affinity with the unrespectable, poor, disadvantaged, excluded, etc. (marginalized) - Christianity as a universal faith - Jesus as a “Saviour”

Answer 86

- It highlights that much of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee and Samaria is done in anticipation of his death and resurrection in Jerusalem - Aside from occasionally reminding the reader that Jesus’ “face” is turned to Jerusalem, thus giving a bit of narrative unity to this Centre Section, its contents are much the same as Luke’s earlier portrayal of Jesus’ Galilean mystery

Answer 87

Luke expressed the Parousia (Jesus’ 2nd coming in glory) is not going to happen soon The Ascension Story of Acts also has the same message

Answer 88

Unlike its source Mark, Luke has extensive resurrection appearance narratives. - These narratives are the last part of Luke’s Gospel (24:13-53). - The resurrection itself is not narrated in Luke or the other 3 Gospels. - Luke emphasizes the materiality of the risen Jesus, who eats & has “flesh and bones.” - The final resurrection appearance narrative is the story of Jesus’ ascension to heaven (ONLY FOUND IN LUKE!), narrated at the end of Luke and the beginning of Acts.

Answer 89

Mary Magdalene is one of the (if not the) most prominent women friend/acquaintance of Jesus in the canonical gospels

Answer 90

Jesus appears to Mary Mary thinks Jesus is the gardener and says “the body isn’t there, tell me where it is so that I can take charge of it” That is almost the role of a wife toward her husband Jesus calls her by name and calls him “rabbuni” (a term of endearment) It is clear that the two were very close

Answer 91

Luke mentions very clearly that there were women who followed Jesus and names Mary Magdalene

Answer 92

In the canonical gospels, Mary Magdalene is portrayed as having a very prominent role as witness to Christ’s passion, death and resurrection in different capacities We are not really sure what role she played after Jesus’ resurrection in the earliest Christian communities

Answer 93

Pope Gregory the Great identified Mary Magdalene with the prostitute found in Luke 7 - Was this intentional smearing? An honest mistake? We do not really know. - This began a tradition that has persisted throughout the history of the church that Mary Magdalene was a prostitute (sinner) earlier in her life and then was converted into a fervent Christian - Biblically speaking, it is not true.

Answer 94

1) Jesus’ Genealogy 2) Angel Appears to Joseph - Joseph is a main character in Matthew’s story - The angel appears and tells Joseph not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife - Joseph is troubled because they have not yet had sex but she is pregnant - The angel assures him it is a child from God - No movement from Nazareth to Bethlehem, so Matthew’s community would assume Mary and Joseph are from Bethlehem 3) Visitors: Wise Men from the East - However, they drop by the palace on their way and tell them about the new king being born 4) Herod’s Plot and Action/Family escapes to Egypt - He is a jealous person, thus becomes furious - He sends out his soldiers to kill all the Hebrew infant boys Joseph takes Mary to Egypt

Answer 95

1) Announcement of John the Baptist’s Birth - He starts it off dramatic - Only Luke tells us that John the Baptist’s family is relatives with Jesus’ family 2) Announcement of Jesus’ Birth - The angel announces to Mary that she will be Jesus’ mother - This annunciation is commemorated March 25 (fast forward 9 months - Christmas) 3) Census/Joseph and Mary move from Nazareth to Bethlehem - The Emperor from Rome orders everyone to take a census (which requires that everyone must go to the town of their ancestors and fill out the census, a census is a form of tax collecting that requires filling out information) 4) Birth of Jesus 5) Angelic Appearance Visitors: Poor Shepherds 6) Jesus’ Circumcision (8 days after birth) 7) Jesus’ Presentation at the Temple (40 days after his birth)

Answer 96

introductory pieces meant to give reader a foretaste of the plot of the Gospel)

Answer 97

when reading the Birth Narratives, you have the idea of what Jesus is going to be

Answer 98

Two BNs in the NT 1) Matthew 2) Luke (in John there is a theological reflection)

Answer 99

Matthew: no movement from Nazareth, originally in Bethlehem Luke: movement from Nazareth to Bethlehem because of the Census

Answer 100

Matthew: appearance of star Luke: angelic appearance

Answer 101

Matthew: 3 wise men from the East Luke: poor shepherds

Answer 102

Matthew: Herod's Plot and Actions/Family escapes to Egypt Luke:

Answer 103

Only in Luke Circumcision: 8 days after birth Presentation: 40 days after birth

Answer 104

Of the 4 Gospel writers, only 2 thought that Jesus’ birth was worth writing about

Answer 105

1) What Jesus did and what Jesus taught (actions and teachings) 2) How Jesus suffered and died (passion narratives) 3) How Jesus rose from the dead

Answer 106

With the community's curiosity satisfied about Jesus’ life, death and resurrections, only then did people begin to wonder...if Jesus was the messiah and a performer of powerful deeds as an adult, what was he like as a child? Hence, at a later stage in time, when Matthew and Luke were writing their Gospels, the demand was great enough for them to include an infancy narrative of Jesus

Answer 107

- The birth narratives are (arguably) the last parts of the Gospels to be created - The Gospels do not contain history in the strict sense of the term - They were probably the last pieces to be written in order to serve as “overtures” - Overtures: introductory pieces meant to give reader a foretaste of the plot of the Gospel) - Overtures in the BNs: when reading the Birth Narratives, you have the idea of what Jesus is going to be

Answer 108

- Retellings of the narrative are a weave together of Matthew and Luke, thus it is hard to tell them apart - We can tell that the two narratives are overtures through their themes…

Answer 109

theological accounts

Answer 110

- The authors were not concerned with a historical telling of Jesus’ birth narrative - The authors were primarily concerned with giving us a theological story that tells us who Jesus is and who he will be when he grows up - Matthew tells us that Jesus is the new King of the Jews - Luke tells us that Jesus is a saviour of the marginalized from the very beginning It is very hard to determine the historicity of the accounts that Luke claimed he used to write his narratives

Answer 111

Jesus is the new King of the Jews

Answer 112

Jesus is a saviour of the marginalized from the very beginning

Answer 113

Matthew wants to emphasize the Jewish roots Matthew starts with Abraham and connects the ancestry to Abraham Why 3 sets of 14 Generations? In Hebrew, letters have numerical values.“David” has 3 consonants: D V D (D = 4, V = 6) David has numerical value of 14 David (original Messiah) was born in Bethlehem → Davidic Connection

Answer 114

Luke wants to emphasize Christianity to everyone Luke starts with Adam and connects the ancestry with Adam

Answer 115

In Matthew, they seem to live originally in Bethlehem David (original Messiah) was born in Bethlehem → Davidic Connection

Answer 116

In Luke, they originally live in Nazareth and have to move to Bethlehem because of the census (Many think this is unlikely, because a census must order people to record their information where they are living and working and an ancestors hometown has nothing to do with taxation)

Answer 117

In Matthew, Kings came for Jesus. King David was the OG Messiah for Judaism. Matthew is connecting Jesus to King David. In Matthew, “wise men from the East.” In popular imaginations, they have evolved into “Kings.” How do you actually follow a star scientifically? As a symbol, it is fantastic (the motif of light)

Answer 118

In Luke, poor shepherds came for Jesus (impure, marginalized, looked down-upon people). Luke emphasizes that Christianity is for everyone. In Luke, poor shepherds visit Jesus.

Answer 119

The Angels

Answer 120

King Herod to symbolize that Jesus (the new David) is the new King of the Jews King Herod is no longer the King, but the new David (Jesus) is... It’s all about power, KINGSHIP. Jesus is a new king. This threatens Herod. Herod is historically a very jealous and insecure person, the majestic fortress he built on top of a high rock mountain cliff symbolizes this, he created many of his collaborators and close family members (Shakespeare’s MacBeth)

Answer 121

In Luke, the Roman Emperor who orders a census.

Answer 122

The order of mass murder from King Herod at Jesus’ birth is a relation to Moses’ birth. A new king’s birth provokes Herod’s jealousy and results in the mass murder of baby boys. Who had a similar birth circumstance in the Hebrew Scriptures? Moses.

Answer 123

In Luke, Mary is told by Simeon that she would suffer in the temple during Jesus’ presentation Hence, Christian art: the heart of Mary depicted as pierced by a sword

Answer 124

In Hebrew, letters have numerical values. “David” has 3 consonants: D V D (D = 4, V = 6) David has a numerical value of 14 David (original Messiah) was born in Bethlehem → Davidic Connection

Answer 125

When reading the Birth Narratives of Matthew and Luke, you have a hint of who Jesus is going to be in that Gospel. The themes portrayed in them to foreshadow Jesus’ identity and what his message would be Thus, they were written last, not first.

Answer 126

In Matthew, many key features and characteristics of the Birth Narrative overture to Jesus’ Kingship as the New David. Matthew has deep Jewish roots and intended to show that Jesus is the new King of the Jews. Examples of this are the three Kings who visit Jesus at his birth and Jesus’ genealogy being connected back to Abraham. Also, the Mosaic hint (King Herod ordering the mass murder).

Answer 127

In Luke, many key features and characteristics of the Birth Narrative overture to Jesus’ acceptance of all people, including those marginalized Luke intended to show that Christianity is for the Gentiles too, and he did this my portraying Jesus as someone who was accepting, compassionate and inclusive of those deeply marginalized at the time. Example of this are the poor shepherds who visited Jesus at his birth, and Jesus’ genealogy being connected back to Adam, the first human.

Answer 128

The BNs divided scholars regarding their historicity As shown in a literary analysis of these stories, there are arguments that can be made casting doubts about the historical nature of some aspects of these Christmas stories... - For example, Matthew and Luke have Christmas stories that reinforce the characteristic themes of their particular gospels: (Jesus as fulfillment of prophecy in Matthew; Jesus as Saviour in Luke) The difficulty that arises when one tries to seriously harmonize the two stories also makes one wonder about how historical they are (flight to Egypt in Matthew vs. no mention in Luke about Egypt) Some elements of the stories are very difficult to think about as literally historical (the census in Luke / the star hovering above Jesus’ birth place in Matthew)

Answer 129

N.T. Wrights positions: If one can accept that God can work things that (to ordinary humans) can be considered “miracles” or “wonders,” then God can certainly do the things recounted in the Christmas stories How do you evaluate that? Is that a good argument?

Answer 130

born from a virgin

Answer 131

Jesus was conceived pure of a sin

Answer 132

Virginal Conception/Virginal Birth: born from a virgin Immaculate Conception: Jesus was conceived pure of a sin

Answer 133

Mary conceived of Jesus without male intervention Joseph accepted Jesus as his legal son Something happened … between Mary and ? During the Roman destruction of Cepheus after the Jewish revolt, perhaps Mary was raped by one of the men while Joseph was away

Answer 134

It is likely that Jesus could have been a mamzer Mamzers were discriminated against and looked down upon as unclean in certain sectors of society then

Answer 135

In ancient Israel, mamzers were products of an illicit sexual relationship (e.g., sex with a gentile, incest, sex in an improper time, etc.) Mamzers were discriminated against and looked down upon as unclean in certain sectors of society then

Answer 136

For contemporary people: a “Myth” is not historical and not important In Religious Studies/Literature: a Myth is a privileged and important means of conveying TRUTH about life, human existence, faith, God, etc

Answer 137

a privileged and important means of conveying TRUTH about life, human existence, faith, God, etc

Answer 138

There are developmental stages to understanding a myth. This storyteller's intro is an example of... How do we distinguish fictional stories from factual stories?

Answer 139

“Now I don’t know if it happened this way or not, but … I KNOW THIS STORY IS TRUE!”

Answer 140

“Humbug!” Santa Claus and all that stuff are just “Humbug!”

Answer 141

“I know Santa Claus doesn’t really exist, but every Christmas, I listen once again to the story and see what great truths about life it can teach me.

Answer 142

John creates a heroic portrait of Jesus in which Jesus is the human form of God with heavenly wisdom; the risen Christ is eternally present in those who accept him as the Messiah through the paraclete (Holy Spirit) which continues to inspire and direct the believing community. To John, Jesus’ crucifixion wasn’t humiliating, but a glorification that freed him to return to heaven

Answer 143

A a theological interpretation in philosophy of Jesus as the Word (the LOGOS) of God (this is key to understanding how John thinks of and portrays Jesus)

Answer 144

Before Jesus was born, he was already existing as the Logos of God

Answer 145

Calls himself the “disciple whom Jesus loved” or “the Beloved Disciple.” Most view him as unknown

Answer 146

- Traditionally, he is John, son of Zebedee, brother of James According to Church tradition - John eventually settles in Ephesus where he lived to an exceptionally old age. - He wrote the gospel, the 3 letters and the Revelations - Around 200 CE, Clement of Alexandria noted that after the other gospel writers preserved “the facts of history” John wrote a more spiritual gospel

Answer 147

- States that the gospel is based on the testimony of the disciples “whom Jesus loved” - This is one of the great mysteries of the NT: Why is this beloved disciple not named? - Most scholars say: an anonymous disciple - Some propose a certain John (called “the elder” or “the presbyter”) who was prominent in the church at Ephesus around 100 CE. No substantial evidence though.

Answer 148

wrote a more spiritual gospel

Answer 149

John wrote to Gentile-Christians Probably in an urban setting; the precise city cannot be determined, but Ephesus, the traditional site, is favoured by many scholars

Answer 150

Probably in the 90s It was dated to around 125CE; A MS fragment of the Gospel of John, its discovery pushed the dating back to around 100 CE

Answer 151

Many recognize a Signs Source in Chapters 2-11

Answer 152

To deepen faith in Jesus to God and the giver of life and to encourage readers to confess this faith openly in the face of threats from synagogue authorities

Answer 153

1) John, one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus - This 2nd-century identification received church acceptance and lasted until modern times, and is still accepted by some scholars. - Most scholars doubt that John was written by an eyewitness of the public ministry of Jesus 2) Another known NT figure (Lazarus, John Mark, Thomas, Mary Magdalene) 3) A pure symbol, created to model the perfect disciple - That he is never given a name has been invoked as proof of non-historicity 4) An unknown figure during the ministry of Jesus who was not one of the Twelve - However, since he became important in the Johannine community history, perhaps as its founder, he became the ideal in its gospel picture, capable of being contrasted with Peter as closer to Jesus in love - This option is favoured by many scholars today

Answer 154

1. Prologue: Hymn to the incarnate Word (1:1-18) 2. The Book of Signs: Public ministry of teaching and healing in both Galilee and Jerusalem (1:12-Chap.12) 3. The Book of Glory: (set in Jerusalem): Last Supper and Farewell Discourse (chapters 13-17), Jesus’ passion death, burial and resurrection (Chapters 18-20) 4. Epilogue: two resurrection appearances in Galilee (Chapter 21)

Answer 155

Powerful deeds of Jesus that will convince people and readers to accept Jesus as the Messiah

Answer 156

Jesus says “this is my hour of glory” In the Greek sense: glory is a brilliant manifestation of someone splendour - When the greatness of an individual is made for everyone to see In the Hebrew sense: glory is tied to the concept of heaviness/weight - When you feel the weight of God’s presence, that is glory John was a Jew...but in which sense was he referring - John is the opposite of Mark (Mark emphasizes the suffering aspect of Jesus, John emphasizes the glorious aspect of Jesus)

Answer 157

John is the opposite of Mark Mark emphasizes the suffering aspect of Jesus, John emphasizes the glorious aspect of Jesus

Answer 158

- John has a theological prologue (Luke’s prologue is historical) - Hence, John as the eagle - Literary prologues often simply introduce the themes of the book, but this one contains the theological peak of the fourth gospel - It speaks of the pre-existent Logos (“Word” in the sense of rational meaning) as a being with God, through whom God created the world, and is himself God. - This Logos became human in the incarnation. High Christology

Answer 159

carne = flesh in the flesh Jesus is God in the flesh

Answer 160

Incarnation

Answer 161

- In Hellenistic philosophy, LOGOS is the ‘principle’ that gives order, harmony and coherence to an otherwise chaotic universe - LOGOS gives order to the universe, without it, the world descends into chaos - In John, Jesus is the logos - Hokmah (wisdom): The Jewish philosopher, Philo, associated it with a traditional Jewish concept of Wisdom (Hokmah). It was thought that the logos (Hokmah) was something like an intermediary between God and creation giving harmony and order and mediating conversation between God and humanity - Dabar: The Hebrew Word DABAR (effective word) is also linked with LOGOS. When God speaks a word, it is effective. Example: “Let there be light.” Jesus is the EFFECTIVE WORD of God. - John identifies Jesus as the Logos seemingly with all these Greek & Jewish nuances Proverbs 8: Notion of “pre-existence” - There is a striking identification between WISDOM and GOD Just like the “Logos” and God

Answer 162

the ‘principle’ that gives order, harmony and coherence to an otherwise chaotic universe (LOGOS gives order to the universe, without it, the world descends into chaos)

Answer 163

Wisdom The Jewish philosopher, Philo, associated logos in John with a traditional Jewish concept of Wisdom (Hokmah). It was thought that the logos (Hokmah) was something like an intermediary between God and creation giving harmony and order and mediating conversation between God and humanity

Answer 164

Effective Word The Hebrew Word DABAR is also linked with LOGOS. When God speaks a word, it is effective. Example: “Let there be light.” Jesus is the EFFECTIVE WORD of God in John

Answer 165

John identifies Jesus as the Logos seemingly with all these Greek & Jewish nuances

Answer 166

- Jesus performs seven “signs,” miracles that point to his own identity - These signs begin with: turning water into wine in Cana and end with Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, which precipitates the death-plot against Jesus - Some signs are also found in the Synoptics, but most are unique to John - Many NT scholars conclude that these signs were drawn by the Fourth Gospel author from a source called the “Signs Gospel” (of miracles of Jesus)

Answer 167

Some are found in the synoptics but scholars suppose the others were drawn from a source called the "Signs Gospel"

Answer 168

1. Turning water into wine 2. Healed an official’s son 3. Healed a lame man 4. Fed 5000 5. Walks on water 6. Gave sight to a blind man 7. Raised Lazarus from the dead

Answer 169

A supposed source that John may have used to write his Book of Signs.

Answer 170

Theme of Glory (example: 17:5): Jesus passion and death is a moment of glory Begins with Jesus explaining to his disciples the meaning of his person and ministry in the “farewell Discourse.” He promises the coming of the Holy Spirit, also called the Paraclete Narrates Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection

Answer 171

helper, advocate the Holy Spirit Jesus is eternally present through the Paraclete

Answer 172

Early Christians who thought that, above all, the true knowledge and wisdom of God is what will save you (they proposed many gospels, most of which were composed of long sermons of Jesus and not containing his passion/death stories) - Many accused John and his community of being a gnostic; writing a gnostic gospel - But John narrates a very long passion/death/resurrection story, so this solved the case for people

Answer 173

...after the death of the beloved disciple

Answer 174

Jesus: I am... 1. The Bread of Life 2. The Light of the World 3. The Door 4. The Good Shepherd 5. The Resurrection and the Life 6. The Way, the Truth and the Life 7. The True Vine

Answer 175

- Early Christianity became very anti-Jewish thanks to John - John talks down on “the Jews” but never identifies exactly who he is talking about - Calls them enemies of Jesus, Jews are hostile of Jesus - John, himself, is a Jew What is going on here? Trump Example: Americans saying Americans are stupid are not referring to to themselves and to enlightened ones - It is the same thing that goes on in John’s Gospel - John is referring to non-enlightened Jews (Jews unlike him, Jews who are in the dark and do not accept Jesus as Messiah and Lord) - The Early Christians took this very literally and used the Gospel of John to discriminate and do all sorts of atrocities to Jews (blamed the Jews for killing Jesus) - Unfortunately, John has this anti-Jewish character John is often considered anti-Jewish because it contains some very harsh statements directed against “the Jews.”

Answer 176

In different passages, it seems to refer to three different groups of people... 1) Jewish leaders, especially Temple authorities, not the people as a whole 2) Judeans, Jews living in the territory of Judea 3) Members of the ethnic/religious group of people called “the Jews” and still called that today

Answer 177

1) Jesus himself | 2) The Johannine Community

Answer 178

- Some statements are anachronistic in the early first century, but instead reflect circumstances of the end of the first century. - At this time, Jewish synagogues strongly opposed the Johannine church, and in response, it labeled them “the Jews” - Greeks and Romans greatly valued “antiquity” (when something had a slot of history to it, it received a lot of respect) - John does not conceal the fact that Jesus and his disciples are all Jewish, too!

Answer 179

Trump Example: Americans saying Americans are stupid are not referring to to themselves and to enlightened ones It is the same thing that goes on in John’s Gospel... John is referring to non-enlightened Jews (Jews unlike him, Jews who are in the dark and do not accept Jesus as Messiah and Lord)

Answer 180

- Good Shepherd is only found in the Gospel of John - The Fourth Gospel has several unique metaphors to describe Jesus as savior. - One of the most prominent is the “Good Shepherd” metaphor, with its HB background. - Jesus cares for his sheep as his own, and he lays his life down for them. - This metaphor therefore interprets both the death and life of Jesus. - For the first 1000 years, Christians used to use the good shepherd as a symbol of Jesus instead of the cross because they could not stomach the thought of the gruesome crucifixion...but then the memory faded

Answer 181

The Good Shepherd

Answer 182

a saviour It's a metaphor that connects to the Hebrew Bible

Answer 183

- John doesn't talk about the "Kingdom of God" - Does not contain parables - Not apocalyptic - John seems to be a statement of faith by a community regarding their beliefs about Jesus - High christology

Answer 184

John is quite different from the Synoptic Gospels in several important areas. Jesus doesn’t talk about the “Kingdom of God”; No parables, John is not apocalyptic… Primarily, John seems to be a statement of faith by an early Christian community (90’s CE) regarding what they believed about Jesus Christ – mainly, their “high christological” beliefs

Answer 185

Mark vs. John on Jesus in Gethsemane

Answer 186

- Was Jesus terrified in the face of death (Mark)? Or was he calm and unfazed (John)? - What’s your image of Jesus? Good Shepherd, Historical, Homeless - Huge differences between Mark and John’s account of Jesus’ Prayer… Mark: terrified oh his death John: calm and unfazed

Answer 187

Mark's Jesus - Was a Saviour who really experienced terror, fear and the depths of human suffering - He could really comfort us, save us in our lowest moments John's Jesus - He thought: Jesus should not be presented this way as a terrified, wavering saviour… - No! Jesus was a strong, all-knowing saviour. - He met his destiny calmly, unfazed in the face of death Well, that wasn’t Mark’s message … - Why did Mark tell the story of a terrified, seemingly wavering Saviour?

Answer 188

No Nevertheless, there are some historical elements in this gospel (e.g., geography, dates, timeline of Jesus’ ministry) This does not mean that John is not valuable. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT in that it helps us understand the development of faith in early Christian communities regarding Jesus Christ.

Answer 189

- The Christology we find in John is often termed “high” Christology in that it is a “lofty” portrayal of Christ, i.e., Christ appears more divine than human - Christians believe that “high” Christology, - The notion that Jesus is also divine, is a LEGITIMATE DEVELOPMENT.

Answer 190

1) Incarnate Word and God 2) Messiah 3) Only-begotten / unique son of God 4) In control of his life, death and resurrection 5) The divine “I am” (like to God as first person in HB, identifying Jesus closely with God) 6) Life and light (fulfillment and replacement of key elements of Judaism)

Answer 191

Luke’s goal in Acts is to demonstrate a strong connection between what Jesus said and did and what his disciples accomplish in his name

Answer 192

Traditionally, Luke, companion of Paul | Scholarly, the same person who wrote Gospel ascribed to Luke (name unknown)

Answer 193

About 90 CE

Answer 194

Unknown, perhaps Antioch or Ephesus

Answer 195

Addresses, like Luke’s Gospel, to Theophilus, representing Gentile Christians scattered throughout the Roman Empire

Answer 196

- In the Book of Acts, Luke continues his two-part narrative of Christian origins, depicting characters who, like Jesus, are models of Christian behaviour and service - Luke dedicates his Gospel and Acts to Theophilus - The final event of Luke’s Gospel is Jesus’ Ascension into heaven, the first event of Acts Emphasizes many of the same themes that dominated Luke’s Gospel

Answer 197

- First, emphasizing God’s ancient promises to Israel through Abraham and Moses are fulfilled in the life and work of Jesus and his successors, who constitute a Spirit-blessed community, the true Israel - Second, emphasizing that “the new way” (Christianity) is a universal means of salvation encompassing all nations, Jewish and Gentile alike, Luke shows the biblical promises being filled when the Jewish disciples are empowered by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost - Third, the author illustrates the step-by-step process by which divine promises were extended to non-Jewish peoples, beginning with campaigns in Samaria and Syria Climatic conversions in Part 1: Paul (a Pharisee) and Cornelius (a Roman soldier)

Answer 198

- Focuses almost exclusively on Paul’s travels (who leads a successful mission to Gentiles in Asia Minor then carries the new religion into Europe, arriving in Rome in about 60 CE)

Answer 199

Arguing that Christianity is a natural extension of Judaism that offers no threat to Rome, Luke designs his narrative to demonstrate that the Church’s tasks is to create an international and ethnically diverse community, that extends indefinitely into the future

Answer 200

One of the main themes Luke presents to us in the Acts of the Apostles is: how the Gospel got to Rome from Jerusalem - Tracing Christianity’s roots to Gentile flowering, Luke illustrates the manner in which God has kept his biblical promises to Israel: - Jesus and his Jewish followers are the fulfillment of Israel's prophetic goals, a demonstration of God’s faithfulness that will reassure Theophilus and other Gentiles who join their ranks - In Luke’s view, God established his rule over true citizens of Israel, the disciples of Jesus who represent the covenant people He develops it through 5 stages

Answer 201

1) Pentecost (and the role of the Holy Spirit) 2) Persecution and Dispersal 3) Saul's Conversion 4) Peter's Baptizing of Cornelius 5) Paul Begins his Mission

Answer 202

At Pentecost, Jews from all over the world heard the “good news” - Luke tells us that lots of people are moved and converted to the message of Jesus - First conversion and preaching of the apostles moves many Pentecost: Jewish feast Jews came to Jerusalem from all over the world to celebrate Pentecost - The apostles became filled with the Spirit and could speak every mother tongue - Many Jews from all over the world heard them speaking, and became convinced and believed in jesus and brought the good news of him upon their return to their homeland

Answer 203

- The disciples are persecuted - As a result of this, they are forced to flee to other areas and this brings about the spread of the good news to Judea and Samaria (Acts 8:1) - Luke is obsessed with the idea of showing the way the Gospel was spread - He describes it here: spread to Judea and Samaria - Philip (not one of the Twelve) preached in Samaria - He discovered that he is a charismatic preacher and successful in converting people - He preaches in Samaria, Philip baptizes the Ethiopian eunuch - Luke tells us this story because the eunuch is going BACK to Ethiopia, and he will spread the Gospel there! In Ethiopia, there is a firmly established Christian presence in Ethiopia since the first century, and they credit him for bringing it back to them Luke includes this because it further spreads the message of Jesus

Answer 204

- Luke uses his Jewish name. Saul, until he is converted to Jesus, and then Luke uses Paul Many believe his name was changed, but that is not the case - Paul was a diaspora Jew (outside the land of Palestine) Jews in Palestine were Palestinian Jews (Jesus and his apostles), Paul was born what is now modern Turkey - Diaspora Jews were given two names: a Jewish name and a Greco-Roman name He was already Paul-Saul - For stylistic reasons, Luke uses Saul then Paul Saul (Paul), a persecutor, is converted and receives a mission to be an apostle to the gentiles

Answer 205

- In Acts 10, Peter also sets a precedent and baptizes a Roman centurion names Cornelius - Peter knew Jesus in the flesh. - So this is very important Peter is the main character in the first 12 chapters of Acts, then Paul - Peter actually did not want to baptize Cornelius, because he was a gentile and Peter did not want to lose his purity - God appears to Peter in a vision with many animals (including unclean animals) and says to him, “slaughter and eat” → Peter was horrified The voice says: “Do not consider what is unclean what God made clean” - Peter understands this as the time to baptize non-Jews - This is why Christians, at a certain point, gave away with the kosher - When the other Jews hear what Peter has done, there are horrified and criticize him, so he shares his vision with him - The covenant for Jews is now open to Gentiles, hence this story is very important

Answer 206

From Acts 13 onwards, the protagonist becomes Paul who begins his missionary work which will result in the gospel being carried away to Rome Paul takes on his role as an important apostle For Luke, Paul is a great missionary but Luke hesitates to call him an apostle Why didn’t Luke tell us the story of the death of Paul? He wrote after Paul died.

Answer 207

1. Jerusalem to Rome 2. Early Church's Unity 3. Christianity's Jewish Roots 4. Delay of the Parousia

Answer 208

To show that there was a smooth transition in the spread of the gospel from Jerusalem to Rome Luke was a very peaceful, loving and compassionate individual who did not want to reveal conflicts in Christianity Luke’s story tells of a peaceful, smooth transition to Christianity Though we see through Paul, that it was not like this

Answer 209

Luke’s story tells of a peaceful, smooth transition to Christianity Though we see through Paul, that it was not like this... - Paul was the opposite, he was a very passionate individual who was not afraid to explain internal conflicts and arguments - Paul was often at the end of (and arguably the cause of) many conflicts, so he experienced them differently - Was Luke “sweeping dirt under the rug?" - Luke seemingly tries his best to avoid or minimize the conflicts that occurred between the different factions/groups in Early Christianity - especially between Paul and the group loyal to James in Jerusalem - James: seemingly thought that if you wanted to become a Christian, first you had to become a Jew - Paul comes in and says that gentiles do no need to be circumcised anymore - Luke does not want to show these conflicts, so he writes the Acts of the Apostles to show a smooth transition and relationship

Answer 210

Luke describes the earliest communities in an idealized way… From Acts 1 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers From Acts 2 Everyone was filled with awe. Many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and good, they gave to everyone as he had need. Everyday they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes (earliest commemoration of the Eucharist: Eucharistic practice done in homes) From Acts 4 The Believers share their possessions (early form of communism). All the believers were one heart in one mind. There were no needy persons among them.

Answer 211

Jewish tribes contained 12 people Jesus chose 12 Apostles Judas was one of “the Twelve.” When he dies, he had to be replaced. Why? The circle of Twelve was no longer formed so Matthias was chosen (Acts 1:12) After Matthias was chosen, there are no more new apostles chosen When James is killed in the early account, there is no one to replace him The Twelve was no longer renewable; With Matthias, the Twelve was closed

Answer 212

Jewish tribes contained 12 people Jesus chose 12 Apostles Judas was one of “the Twelve.” When he dies, he had to be replaced. Why? The circle of Twelve was no longer formed so Matthias was chosen (Acts 1:12) After Matthias was chosen, there are no more new apostles chosen When James is killed in the early account, there is no one to replace him The Twelve was no longer renewable; With Matthias, the Twelve was closed

Answer 213

We only have the viewpoint of Paul: Paul called himself an apostle We think that if we asked the apostles if Paul was an apostle, they would say no Even Luke (who greatly admired Paul) probably would have said no Paul became so important for spreading Christianity, his designation as an apostle was widely accepted later on ``` An Apostle (according to Paul): someone who met the risen Lord, and was commissioned by Jesus to complete a special mission This is not the apostles’ definition of the Paul The Church accepted Paul’s definition, and Paul and Peter founded the Church ```

Answer 214

A disciple who followed Jesus during his ministry and experienced him as the risen Christ after his crucifixion/resurrection

Answer 215

Someone who met the risen Lord, and was commissioned by Jesus to complete a special mission

Answer 216

the Second Coming of Jesus (he would return and judge the living and the dead)

Answer 217

Most Jews thought Jesus’ second coming would come very soon Luke’s Acts state that Jesus is probably not coming soon; it is not yet imminent Why? Jesus wants us to spread the Gospel far and wide to the ends of the Earth Unless the Gospel spreads far and wide, Jesus will not come The spread of the gospels will come about in this order Jerusalem → Judea → Samaria → ends of the Earth (programmatic passage)

Answer 218

Symbol for Jerusalem as the centre, where everything starts, and the crosses around it symbolize North, South, East, West (where the Gospel spread)

Answer 219

- The Holy Spirit is referred to as “Power” in Acts. It will be the power source for this gigantic task entrusted to the disciples. Greek word for the Holy Spirit is: “dunamis” (related to dynamite). Apostles need this power to carry out their mission.

Answer 220

Primary Source: Paul’s Authentic Letters | Secondary Source: The Acts of the Apostles

Answer 221

Primary Source: Paul’s Authentic Letters | Secondary Source: The Acts of the Apostles

Answer 222

In cases of conflict or discrepancy, the authentic letters must be preferred Acts should be used with caution because it is hard to know when Luke is reporting history and when he is embellishing history to further his goals for writing Acts Luke aims to show a smooth transition with minimal conflict so he embellishes stories to hide conflict

Answer 223

- He would go to Galatia, establish a Christian community in his style, but then other Jewish-Christian missionaries would come and reverse his work by enforcing Jewish traditions on his communities - Paul lived close to Antioch, that is where he trained to be an apostle for a while - Luke ends his stories with Paul entering Rome, so we don’t know much about what happened after that... - We know from Paul’s letter to the Romans that he wanted to enter Spain - Spain is the Wild West of the Roman Empire - why did Paul want to go to Spain? He was upset with people trying to undo his work

Answer 224

Saul, a Pharisee (we know this through Acts)

Answer 225

- Acts 7 Where Paul witnesses stoning of Stephen (first Christian to be killed for believing in Jesus; first Christian martyr) states Paul was a young man: early/mid-20s - At this point, Saul was a zealous Pharisee who did not like Christians or the movement In his letter to Philemon , Paul says that he is “an old man.” This is an authentic letter, so it is true. According to some sources, at the time, “old” usually meant over 60 years old. - If Philemon was written around CE 53 (according to scholarly opinion), from that we can deduce that Paul was more or less a contemporary of Jesus, that is, born around 4 BCE. Paul was born around the same time as Jesus - Paul’s Martyrdom: occurred in Rome around the year 65 His lifespan would have been close to 60-70 years

Answer 226

Tarsus (in Cilicia), found in South eastern Turkey Acts 9 makes reference to Paul being from “Tarsus” At that time in Tarsus, there was a very large Jewish community Besides, Tarsus was famed for its high level of culture and education. This matches what we know about Paul. From Paul’s writings, we know that he was a well-educated man. His Greek is good. He knew the Septuagint well. He was familiar with Hellenistic rhetorical structures and practices.

Answer 227

The Acts tell us that Paul had Roman citizenship: the story states that he was born with Roman citizenship - It is probable that his family received it then - Paul never tells us this in his letters, but they are very ad hoc (not biographical) - Paul was beheaded and not crucified, because it was beyond the dignity of a Roman (too inhumane for a Roman citizen) - Peter was crucified because he was a Jew, Paul was a Jew but also a Roman citizen and therefore was beheaded

Answer 228

- Gamaliel was a great rabbi on the first half of the first century - Strangely, Paul does not mention this fact about Gamaliel in his own letters. - This is the case of “Lucan” testimony about which we must be cautious Nevertheless, his letters when Paul was arguing that he knows A LOT about Jews but he does not mention his former Pharisaic affiliation with Rabbi Gamaliel/ If Paul was a student of Rabbi Gamaliel, he would have mentioned that more often to add credibility to his work Luke adds this to give high credibility to the hero he highly admires

Answer 229

1) Stephen's Martyrdom | 2) Paul's Conversion

Answer 230

- We meet Saul for the first time during the martyr of Stephen - Paul approves of his death - He thinks this new Christian movement is a heretical movement that needs to be persecuted, stemmed out, killed - Saul explains who he was: I was circumcised on the eighth day, a member of the people of Israel (a Jew), of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews, a Pharisee. As to zeal, a persecutor of the church as to righteousness under the law, I was blameless.

Answer 231

A literary device to show the time period

Answer 232

- Jewish Jews who believed in Christ, believed Christ was the Messiah - Paul was on his way to arrest people in Damascus - On his way, he heard a voice that identified itself as Jesus, asking why Paul was persecuting Jesus - This experience marks him so much, that Paul believes that when you persecute the community of Jesus, you are persecuting Jesus Jesus’ community is the body of Christ

Answer 233

1) Encounter with Christ (what Paul later on said happened: he encountered the risen Jesus) 2) Resurrection Experience (according to Paul, he is an apostle because Jesus appeared to him and gave him a special mission) 3) Paradigm Shift (sociological term: he has a certain worldview and it was changed)

Answer 234

1) Encounter with Christ (what Paul later on said happened: he encountered the risen Jesus) 2) Resurrection Experience (according to Paul, he is an apostle because Jesus appeared to him and gave him a special mission) 3) Paradigm Shift (sociological term: he has a certain worldview and it was changed)

Answer 235

- Paul describes his conversion as God revealing his Son to Paul, so that Paul will proclaim him among the Gentiles - So, this mission part of his life is extremely important - Paul interpreted his experience as a God-given mission - Paul did not confer with the apostles about his experience, rather he went away to Arabia (present-day Jordan) He returned to Damascus (likely because he had problems with the people there) - Paul tended to have problems with the people everywhere he went then had to leave - Paul explains that Jesus himself revealed the good news to him to emphasize that he is an apostle - Paul’s explanation of his conversion emphasizes his apostleship

Answer 236

- Paul described this conversion experience as an encounter with the risen Christ - It gave him a right to be considered an “apostle” - That is, a witness and proclaimer of the risen Christ - For Paul, James was an apostle (the brother of Jesus, not the two in the group of 12) - Paul claims he is the least of the apostles, and even unfit to be an apostle, but by the grace of God, Paul says “I am what I am”

Answer 237

- Paul explains what he viewed as very important before, he views as garbage now (in order to gain Christ) - Paradigm shift: dramatic shift from one worldview to another Before: Paul originally saw Jesus’ way as an aberration: a corruption of the Covenant of God with Israel After: Paul saw Jesus’ way as the fulfillment: the climax of the Covenant of God and Israel with God opening it up to the Gentiles

Answer 238

Paul originally saw Jesus’ way as an aberration: a corruption of the Covenant of God with Israel

Answer 239

Paul saw Jesus’ way as the fulfillment: the climax of the Covenant of God and Israel with God opening it up to the Gentiles

Answer 240

"And hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us." - Paul explains that despite his persecution of Christians, God still accepted him - You cannot deserve God’s grace ever, because even as a sinner, God will always offer you his grace and all you need to do is accept it and God will be righteous - From this he develops his main message that he intends to spread on his missions.

Answer 241

- Paul is second only to Jesus in his contribution to Jesus and his contribution to the development of Christianity - Although Paul apparently never knew the living Jesus and once persecuted his disciples, he experienced an apokalypsis (revelation) of the risen Christ that transformed his life - His apokalypsis inspired him to spread the Christian community and thus he commenced on his missionaries and opened churches in numerous locations where Christianity had not yet reached - From this conversion experience, Paul develops his Gospel: those with faith in God will receive his grace and be justified/saved - This notion of salvation has been taken on by Christianity and is one of its central beliefs, especially Protestant Christians (e.g. Martin Luther) - Through his conversion experience of grace (as explained in Romans), Paul developed his central message that has become a central belief in contemporary Christianity

Answer 242

Paul often seems to us to be the major figure in early Christianity During his lifetime, one can argue that Paul and his communities were not mainstream, often misunderstood and suspected of being illegitimate compared to communities founded by people who knew the “flesh and blood” Jesus like Peter and James

Answer 243

They don’t simply believe in God; they HAVE EXPERIENCED God, Mystics have a direct and vivid experience of the Sacred Mystics have non-ordinary states of consciousness. “Ecstasy” comes from the Greek “ak” + statis” (“to stand outside” the ordinary dimension)

Answer 244

Paul’s conversion and mysticism involved experiencing Jesus Christ as the climax and ultimate fulfillment of the covenant which God made with Israel Paul was a Jesus-Christ-Mystic because of his apparition with Jesus Unlike many Christians claim, Paul did not deny or ignore his Jewish roots, he did not give up being a Jews His conversion was not from Judaism → Christianity The content of his conversion was that the covenant of Jews has been thrown wide open to also include the non-Jews/Gentiles Jesus’ coming as the Messiah opened up the covenant to everyone who accepts Jesus as God’s Messiah/Christ

Answer 245

Unlike many Christians claim, Paul did not deny or ignore his Jewish roots, he did not give up being a Jews His conversion was not from Judaism → Christianity The content of his conversion was that the covenant of Jews has been thrown wide open to also include the non-Jews/Gentiles Jesus’ coming as the Messiah opened up the covenant to everyone who accepts Jesus as God’s Messiah/Christ

Answer 246

- His home base at the beginning: Antioch (he would go out and return to Antioch) - Later on, in order to make it easier to remember we divided his missionaries into 3 Paul did not necessarily intent to have 3 1) First Missionary Journey: Antioch to Asia Minor 2) Second Missionary Journey: Antioch to Greece Third Missionary Journey: Antioch to communities he founded in 2nd missionary, revisits his Churches Then he goes back to Jerusalem/Rome and is arrested

Answer 247

Upon reaching a location, he visits the Jewish synagogue (outside of Palestine) There he would find fellow Jews and “God-fearers” (gentiles attracted to Israel’s faith) If given an opportunity, he would preach about Jesus as the fulfillment of the covenant The congregation would usually be divided: some opposing Paul, others supporting They would then complain to the officials and the officials would clamp down on Paul and he would have to escape From these supporters a Christian community would be born Of the supporters, Paul would appoint leaders or leave collaborators behind Paul would move on to another place Paul did not understand his mission as leading the growth of the community, but appointed others to do it, his mission was to begin the community He had very little time to spend in a time where he founded a community and would have to guide the community from afar in his letters Given such circumstances, Paul had to write letters to stay in touch with the communities he had founded, These letters would usually be in response to issues arising in the community

Answer 248

People (gentiles) who were interested in the Jewish religion, so they would go to the synagogue but did not want to make the final step of becoming a Jew (circumcision) thus could not become adherents of Judaism in the strict sense of the term because circumcision is the absolute condition of the covenant

Answer 249

1) He was kicked out He had very little time to spend in a time where he founded a community and would have to guide the community from afar in his letters Given such circumstances, Paul had to write letters to stay in touch with the communities he had founded, These letters would usually be in response to issues arising in the community

Answer 250

The reason for the l He was upset with people trying to undo his work He would go to Galatia and establish a Christian community in his style But then other Jewish-Christian missionaries would come and reverse his work by enforcing Jewish traditions on his communities Paul wrote to the communities (typically in passionate anger) in persuasive documents, convincing them to go back to his Church traditio that he was trying to establish

Answer 251

``` Romans 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians Galatians Philippians 1 Thessalonians Philemon ```

Answer 252

2 Thessalonians Ephesians Colossians

Answer 253

1 & 2 Timothy | Titus

Answer 254

Many dispute that these came directly from Paul

Answer 255

Many think, that later on in time, someone used the name of Paul to legitimize their work, it it is quite clear that these were written long after Paul died

Answer 256

When we think of Gospels, we typically think of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John Most important points that Paul emphasized in his teaching: Paul’s Gospel

Answer 257

Romans (he develops his thinking calmly) Galatians can also be a logical development of Paul’s thinking, but in it he is very angry and passionately writing but his reason is clouded by anger

Answer 258

1) Who was this Jesus? 2) Life “in Christ” 3) Justification, not by “works,” but by grace

Answer 259

1) Who was this Jesus? - Jesus Christ is the Lord! - Lord: Dominus (the title of the Emperor) - Paul is saying that the real Lord is not Caesar, its Jesus - Jesus is the one with supreme authority whor ules over all 2) Life “in Christ” - If you have accepted Christ as the Messiah, how should you live? 3) Justification, not by “works,” but by grace - How do you enter the realm of grace? By God’s Grace

Answer 260

- Jesus Christ is the Lord! - Lord: Dominus (the title of the Emperor) - Paul is saying that the real Lord is not Caesar, its Jesus - Jesus is the one with supreme authority whor ules over all

Answer 261

- If you have accepted Christ as the Messiah, how should you live?

Answer 262

“works,” but by grace | - How do you enter the realm of grace? By God’s Grace

Answer 263

giving something precious freely to someone who has not “earned” it. GOD’S ACTION. - Something given freely to someone who has not earned it - In Paul’s thinking, this is God’s action - God gives us grace in the person of Jesus Christ in order to save us from our sins

Answer 264

To put your trust in someone. In Paul’s case, his allowing himself to be led by Jesus after his conversion. HUMAN ACTION. - To put your trust in someone, and in effect, it is receiving what is freely given because you trust that giver - Accepting the gift of God of faith - The human response to grace - The human part of the action

Answer 265

To consider someone as righteous. God considers humans righteous through their faith, i.e. their acceptance of his grace of salvation offered through Jesus. END RESULT. - To consider someone as righteous, even if they do not deserve it - The end result of God’s Grace = Human Faith

Answer 266

Justification

Answer 267

Jesus acts like the new Adam: Just as everyone sinned in Adam, everyone can share the obedience of Christ, thus reversing the curse of Adam - In Adam, All Sinned - Adam being the first human being, we are all connected with him in some way - Whatever he did had repercussions for all of humanity - In Rom 5, Paul presents a notion of human “solidarity” with each other both for evil and for good - First kind of similarity: when Adam, the first human, sinned, all humanity sinned in him - Sin/death entered the world - Humanity became helpless, so God stepped in with a master plan - God’s Master Plan: Jesus Christ - Jesus saves us - Jesus is the new Adam, he acts like a new Adam so much so that if the old Adam brought sin into the world, the new Adam’s redeems everyone (by accepting to sacrifice himself for God

Answer 268

God gave us Jesus Christ, the new Adam Jesus acts like the new Adam: Just as everyone sinned in Adam, everyone can share the obedience of Christ, thus reversing the curse of Adam

Answer 269

- Mired in sin and death, humanity was helpless - Here, God steps in. God’s master plan? Jesus Christ - Jesus acts like the new Adam: Just as everyone sinned in Adam, everyone can share the obedience of Christ, thus reversing the curse of Adam

Answer 270

through god’s grace, faith and justification (Rom 3)

Answer 271

God’s free offer of salvation to us We can never merit this offer This offer of salvation is given through Jesus Christ

Answer 272

The process of being saved (rescued from death or catastrophe)

Answer 273

The process of being “redeemed” (that is, to get back by repaying a loan) Jesus “paid the price” for God to redeem humanity

Answer 274

What is faith? Faith is doing what Abraham did - trusting God, taking God at his word (Rom 4), believing God will accomplish what God promised Faith came before factors like the Law, circumcision, etc. Abraham was considered righteous before God because of faith, not by following the LAW, or being circumcised, etc.

Answer 275

When we accept God’s offer of salvation in Christ through faith we are justified, that is, put in a right relationship with God and treated as righteous before God In Greek, the verb is “dikaioun” meaning: “to treat as” “to reckon as” Therefore, when God justifies sinful humans, He treats them as righteous, even though they are undeserving

Answer 276

Faith is doing what Abraham did - trusting God, taking God at his word (Rom 4), believing God will accomplish what God promised

Answer 277

Ethical Living is a Consequence of God’s Grace/Salvation Living in righteousness is NOT in order to earn God’s grace. We can never do this. Instead, Living in righteousness is a CONSEQUENCE of having been loved and saved unconditionally by God

Answer 278

NOT in order to earn God’s grace. We can never do this. | Instead, Living in righteousness is a CONSEQUENCE of having been loved and saved unconditionally by God

Answer 279

Analogy: Dog & Cookie Owner to dog: before you can have a cookie you must obey me Paul: give the dog the cookie immediately, despite if he deserves it, because you love him anyways...and as a result, the dog will be so excited that he will obey you even though there is no cookie since you are both in a loving, binded relationship God: owner Dog: humans Faith: the cookie Grace: giving cookie

Answer 280

Protestants take salvation in a Pauline way (example: Martin Luther)

Answer 281

Romans: a letter of explanation and recommendation (originally served as a letter of recommendation for Phoebe) Romans is arguably the most important letter because it is the best place to find Paul’s Gospel since he develops his thinking calmly. Galatians can also be a logical development of Paul’s thinking, but in it he is very angry and passionately writing so his reason is clouded by anger. Romans is his most systematic expression of his theology... In Romans, Paul aims to give a careful explanation of his “gospel to the Gentiles,” particularly the doctrine justification by faith and the place of both Jews and Gentiles in the divine plan for human redemption. He explores how to bridge the moral gap between God and humanity, how to reconcile imperfect, sinful humanity to a pure and righteous God As a Jew, Paul is painfully aware of the immense disparity between the actions of mortals and the immaculate holiness of Israel’s God, whose justice cannot tolerate human error or wrongdoing Unlike other Pauline letters, Romans is addressed to a congregation the writer has neither founded nor previously visited A circular letter document Intention: to explain Pauline teachings to various Christian groups who may at the time have held distorted views of the apostle’s position on controversial subjects

Answer 282

to explain Pauline teachings to various Christian groups who may at the time have held distorted views of the apostle’s position on controversial subjects

Answer 283

Christ as Sacrifice of Atonement: In the temple, lambs (animals) were offered as atonement sacrifices for the forgiveness of sins. Blood was thought of as having atonement value. The trend of comparing God to lamb (sacrifice) began… Christ as the Lamb of God:

Answer 284

Some reacted in the following way to Paul’s message of justification through faith: if grace can cover all sins, why don’t we go on sinning so that grace can operate all the more. People understood Paul’s message as they could do anything they want (sin) since everyone receives God’s grace, using it as an excuse to sin

Answer 285

- With a resounding NO | - He responds by comparing baptism to dying and rising with Christ

Answer 286

- When we are plunged into the water, we “die” with Christ (we died to sin) When we rose from the water, we rose to a new life free from sin, full of grace - Conclusion: we cannot continue to sin - Living in righteousness is NOT in order to earn God’s grace. We can never do this. - Instead, Living in righteousness is a CONSEQUENCE of having been loved and saved unconditionally by God (Dog & Cookie Analogy)

Answer 287

- Peter is imprisoned and escapes (Acts 12). He is effectively out of the story lines in Acts…BUT before he leaves Jerusalem for an unnamed place, Peter gives his role to James: “tell this to James” - Although Luke does not explain extensively, we should also note the important role of James, the brother of the Lord, in the early community of Christians (Acts 15) James: brother of the Lord - Not also the appearance in Mark 6:3: “Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?” - In the group of 12 Apostles, there were 2 James: the greater James and the lesser James - This is the third James and is usually not very well grasped, but is much more important

Answer 288

Known as the “brother” of the Lord -At a certain point, he became head of the Christian community at Jerusalem (the mother community of all early communities) Speculations about James identity: some consider James as a cousin, half-brother, blood brother...but James was nevertheless very important amongst early Christians

Answer 289

Saying 12: the disciple said to Jesus, “we know you are going to leave us. Who will be our leader?” Jesus said to them, “It will be James the just” for whose sake heaven and earth came into being

Answer 290

Peter, James and Paul

Answer 291

1) Peter was very well known 2) James was mother of Jerusalem community, rose in prominence 3) Paul was the odd guy among the three for his suspicious teaching

Answer 292

As time went on, most Jews did not accept that Jesus was the Messiah So Gentiles became dominant in the Church community Thus, Paul became the dominant figure Peter and Paul were considered “pillars and “chief apostles” James became marginalized and forgotten in the memories of Christians If James became the dominant figure, Christians would follow Jewish traditions Speculations about James identity: some consider James as a cousin, half-brother, blood brother...but James was nevertheless very important amongst early Christians

Answer 293

People frequently contrast Paul’s message on “justification by faith” with James’ message about “faith shown through works” Paul: Deeds are not important - if God offers and you accept, you are justified James: Deeds are all important, we cannot be justified merely by faith Paul: Justification comes not by our good works, but by our faith in Jesus alone James: Justification comes by our good works, not by our faith in God HOWEVER, James is speaking to those who are abusing Paul’s message

Answer 294

Example: The “Circumcision” Party Gal 2 suggest that the Jerusalem community was not in full agreement with Paul over the issue of gentiles becoming Christians Acts 15, on the other hand, suggests otherwise due to Luke’s tendency to “smoothen out” conflicts in the early church

Answer 295

- BOTH Paul and James emphasize that faith and righteous living (good works) are important - Paul emphasized the graciousness of God’s free gift of salvation and the human response of faith. Righteous living is a consequence of that. - James wanted to correct those who misunderstood or abused Paul’s emphasis by saying “It’s OK to continue sinning as long a one believes.” He did this by saying that faith is shown concretely through one’s good works/righteous living.

Answer 296

James: Justification comes by our good works, not by our faith in God (though he is mainly talking to those abusing Paul’s message)

Answer 297

John of Patmos

Answer 298

Western Asia Minor

Answer 299

Seven Churches of Asia Minor

Answer 300

The book of revelations bears an author’s name: John | The Gospel of John and 3 letters of John have been identified as 1 common John, John the apostle

Answer 301

After critical examination, many NT scholars say that the letters of John were arguably written by a high ranking official in the Church identified with the city of Ephesus The book of revelations bears the name John, but many argue against identifying this John as the same John who wrote the Gospel (since John’s Gospel has no apocalyptic passages while the book of Revelation is entirely apocalyptic) Patmos: an island off the coast of Turkey (a penal colony where criminals were sent), close to Ephesus

Answer 302

an island off the coast of Turkey (a penal colony where criminals were sent), close to Ephesus

Answer 303

- Revelation itself says that it was written by a certain “John” who received visions when he was on the island of Patmos - Traditionally, he was thought to be also the author of the other Johannine literature - That is virtually rejected by most of the modern-day scholarship - From “internal evidence” we can say that John knew the Hebrew Bible well. As much as 65% of Revelation seems to be an allusion to things in the Hebrew Bible - Since the book is addressed to 7 Christian churches in Asia Minor, we can presume that John probably worked there earlier (itinerant missionary?)

Answer 304

- It’s at the ends of the New Testament - Not because it was the last document to be written but… - Because its theme is “about the ends” - the Second Coming of Jesus Christ

Answer 305

Apocalyptic Thinking: a heightened desire and expectation among many Jews for a direct intervention of God in history to drive out the invaders and liberate Israel. Jesus will come and do away with all the immoral people and establish purity and peace.

Answer 306

- Pax Romana: Peace was founded on blood of others and fear of Rome’s order, but Jews accepted it - In Israel, Roman rule meant prosperity for the ruling elite (which collaborated with the Romans) but poverty and oppression for most of the populations - This lead to Apocalyptic Thinking

Answer 307

- A contextual factor that we should not forget - In the case of the Jews, in the concrete, that meant: Instead of the Romans (or whoever was in power at the time), if God himself were the real boss (absolute authority) around here, how would the world be? - In other words: If God’s reign would be definitively established here on earth, what kind of “world order” would we have?

Answer 308

...the reality of oppression, especially the oppression of people who firmly believe that such an unfortunate state of affairs goes contrary to God’s ideal plan for them.

Answer 309

Throughout their history, when things were rough, the Jewish people looked back to the PAST, in particular, to the event of the Exodus to draw hope for the present. However, beginning from the Babylonian exile (586 BCE) and continuing to the different eras when Israel was dominated by one superpower after another, Jews began to look not anymore “back to the past” but "into the future" The Revelations is an apocalyptic book about the future

Answer 310

"Revelation is widely popular for the wrong reasons, for a great number of people read it as a guide to how the world will end, assuming that the author was given by Christ detailed knowledge of the future that he communicated in coded symbols” (Raymond Brown).

Answer 311

Revelation affirms Christianity’s original hope for an immediate transformation of the world and assures the faithful that God’s prearranged plan, including the destruction of evil and the advent of Christ’s universal reign, is soon to be accomplished The book presents an apokalypsis (unveiling) of unseen realities, both in heaven as it is now and on earth as it will be in the future Placing governmental tyranny and Christian suffering in cosmic perspective, Revelation conveys its message of hope for believers in the cryptic language of metaphor and symbol A second century Christian work, the Apocalypse of Peter reveals a historical shift focusing on the condition of souls in the afterlife

Answer 312

1) The Futurist Way 2) The (Strictly) Historical Interpretation 3) A Postcolonial Reading of Revelation (A More Contemporary Approach)

Answer 313

As a document that foretells the future Premise: Revelation is really about events that are going to happen in the future Conclusion: Therefore, one must decode Revelation in order to understand how the world is coming to an end Not a responsible way of reading the Revelations

Answer 314

In the context of the time, only after clarifying the original message can we apply these messages to ourselves Premise: We can only understand the message of Revelation if we contextualize it squarely within its historical context Conclusion: Therefore, we acknowledge that the book’s message was primarily for the communities that it addresses 2000 years ago and not so much for people thousands of years after John’s time We recognize that the contents of the book pertained to realities in John’s own day and not to events that will happen in some future time... Example: March and April will be hard months but it will all pay off in May (the future) so we just need to make it through right now A responsible way of reading the Revelations

Answer 315

Interpretation: This does not refer to a coming anti-Christ with this number on his forehead (such as in the movie “The Omen”). It is the numerical value (found out through some “decoding”) of the emperor Nero. Nero was con - From such analysis of the text, biblical interpreters draw several conclusions that pertain (first & foremost) to John’s world. They might be expressed in the ff. way… - John meant to tell communities that: 1) Christ is the Lord; Nero and the beast are not 2) God through Christ will soon act to overthrow the rule of the beast (Rome) 3) Let us therefore persevere, endure, be confident and maintain faith in Christ Only after clarifying the original message can we apply these messages to ourselves

Answer 316

An entity that becomes convinced that it has the capability and the right to: Impose its ways (rule, culture, way of thinking, etc.) on another

Answer 317

Unjust economic relations, oppressive political relations, biased race relations, patriarchal gender relations, hierarchical power relations, and the use of violence to maintain them all. (Walter Wink)

Answer 318

Military Resources: arms, force Economic Resources: production, labour, wealth The Political Order: how to organize and institutionalize its conquered territories IDEOLOGICAL resources: It can impose meaning and interpretation on virtually anything an everything!

Answer 319

In John’s time, the Roman Empire was the dominant political and historical entity. Its head, the Emperor (Caesar), was seen as the supreme Sovereign of all. John in the book of Revelation tries to... SUBVERT this message by presenting God and Christ’s reign as the supreme Sovereignty over all!

Answer 320

``` James 1 Peter 2 Peter 1 John 2 John 3 John Jude ``` Letter to the Hebrews (author: anonymous)

Answer 321

Catholic in this sense means universal Authorship is attributed to other apostles (for whom they are named!); most not written to individual communities, but to broader audiences (“catholic” = general, universal)

Answer 322

Catholic Epistles & General Letters

Answer 323

There are Seven Catholic Epistles or General Letters (+ the letter to the Hebrews)