Unit 2 - Life & Teaching of Jesus Christ Flashcards
What are 2 non-Christian Jewish sources for general knowledge of L and T of JC?
Josephus Babylonian Talmud
What did non-Christian sources focus on regarding JC?
Facts (such as his death)
What is the title of Josephus’s work we discussed?
Antiquities (of the Jewish people)
Book 18 (Ch 3) of Josephus’s Antiquities includes the fact of JC’s ____ and ____, and of followers who believe(d) in His _____.
life death resurrection
What is the name of the non-Christian source that is a collection and organized written form of oral (rabbinic) teachings?
Babylonian Talmud
The Babylonian Talmud contains (oral) traditions of rabbis going back to when?
1st cent.
What are the 2 Jewish non-Christian sources?
Josephus’s writings Babylonian Talmud (oral tradition)
What are the 4 basic pagan non-Christian sources?
Pliny the younger’s “Letter to Trajan” Tacitus’s “Annals” Suetonius’s “Lives of the Twelve Caesars” Thallus the Samaritan’s “Chronicle”
Who WAS Pliny the Younger?
Roman governor of Bithynia
Who was Trajan? (for Pliny’s ‘letter to trajan’)
Roman Emperor of the time (c. 112ad)
What basic info does Pliny’s letter to Trajan include?
tons of Christians in his province who should be condemned; the Christians met once a week to ‘worship this guy named Christ’
What are the 6 references to Jesus of Nazareth in the Babylonian Talmud?
- born out of wedlock 2. learned magic in Egypt and appeared to perform miracles 3. called himself God (blasphemy in their pov) 4. tried (court-style) by the Sanhedrin for teaching deception/Apostasy 5. executed on eve of Passover by crucifixion 6. had 5 disciples
What general records did Tacitus’s Annals keep?
records of very Roman events, esp. in Rome; writes history FOR the government; describes PERSECUTION in the city of Rome
Tacitus’s Annals describes persecution; w/what emperor did it first come?
Nero in 64ad – blames Christians for fire in Rome
Tacitus’s Annals places personage of Christ how?
regards followers being NAMED AFTER Christ, who was persecuted ‘during the reign of Tiberius Pontius Pilate’
Suetonius’s Lives of the 12 Caesars references what jerk of an emperor?
Nero
Suetonius’s Lives of the 12 Caesars references Jews continually doing what under who’s influence?
stirring up trouble under influence of JESUS CHRIST
Thallus the Samaritan’s Chronicle tries to explain what from Good Friday?
the physical disruptions (ex. eclipse of the sun, earthquake unrelated, etc.)
How many types of Christian sources are there?
3
What are the 3 types of Christian sources for knowledge of life and teaching of JC?
Canonical Gospels Letters of Paul Apocryphal Gospels (NON-canonical)
4 gospels in our Bible are ______ canonical and most _____ of Chrusch’s materials about JC
earliest authentic
As far as we know, JC only taught orally; how did we get His written teachings then?
his followers saw need in subsequent years of His life for written teachings
Which books are Synoptic Gospels?
Matt, Mark, Luke
Why are M, M, L the Synoptic Gospels?
see story of Jesus in a similar way (ex. focus almost exclusively on JC’s ministry in Galilee; focus on J’s teaching [parables] of Kingdom of God)
What do all 4 gospels have in common?
Jesus’s LAST WEEK of life apart from that last wek, only MIRACLE in all 4 is FEEDING OF 5000
Gospel writers = ‘euagellion’ which means what?
evangelists
What did a harmony of the gospels attempt to do? How does that compare to modern scholars’ approach?
harmony attempt = blend together 4 gospel accounts modern scholars = look at 4 accounts individually and compare (think of chart)
READ GUNDRY especially ch. ____ ?
chapter 5
How many total verses does MK have?
661
How many total verses does MT have?
1068
How many total verses does LK have?
1149
How many verses are shared between MK and MT?
606
What percent of MK is in MT?
92%
How many verses are shared between MK and LK?
350
What percent of MK is in LK?
53%
How many verses are shared between MT and LK?
235 (all sayings of JC and not found in MK)
What is Markan priority?
belief that MK was written 1st and MT and LK both dependent on MK
What are 3 reasons for Markan priority theory?
- both MT and LK borrow HISTORICAL NARRATIVE FRAMEWORK, then elaborate on this foundation; 2. MK = shortest, usually things get added on to, not shrunk; 3. MK = plainest, least descriptive and informative…again, normally things get elaborated on, not simpler
What is “Q” Source theory?
belief that the 235 verses from MT/LK come from a common source (not MK) = Q
Why is the common source for Q Source theory called “Q” ?
theorists are/were German, used word for source which is “Quelle” = Q for short
What is Two Source Theory?
belief that MT/LK were based on both MK and Q
What is Four Source theory?
further development of 2-s theory which supplies “M” as source for MT’s unique 227 verses and “L” as source for LK’s unique 564 verses
What is a strength of the various literary criticisms/theories?
gives some understanding as to WHY there are similarities and differences
What is a weakness of the various literary criticisms/theories?
as literary observations…not problematic; trouble comes when they make THEOLOGICAL conclusions about the data (for ex. MK must be ‘truest’ … this ex. creates a problem w/MK not mentioning the resurrection of JC)
What is form criticism?
new lit. criticism pov; asks questions like HOW was it transmitted? WHY was it transmitted?
Where did form criticism come from?
several scholars shortly after WWI began to examine Gospels from this new pov (w/the new how/why questions)
Form Criticism has an emphasis on what sources from common tradition?
ORAL
ex. MT/MK/LK
- parables
- miracles
- pronouncements
Why was only certain material passed down orally and then WRITTEN down?
some of the material seemed to be relative to the churches of the time, so this is what was recorded
What does “sitz im leben” mean?
situation in life
so, churches basing what info is most needed to be recorded on relative lifestyles, cultures, sins personal to the time, etc.
What is a summary of form criticism?
Oral tradition preserves a portrait of Jesus based on needs of the community of the church.
Literary Criticism has an emphasis on what?
common or dissimilar parts
What are community productions?
the way community life necessitized certain information (aka, again, sitz im leben)
What is the bottom line of sitz im leben for scholars?
Gospels not written ‘in a vacuum’ w/o a context
Material directly related to the community in context
What are weaknesses of lit./oral/form criticisms in general?
- still a theory/speculation
- critics tend to overmphasize the subjectivity of the community/early church’s use of the text
- most scholars more interested in community/church’s context than Jesus’s actual words
- community adaptations do NOT = falsehood or deformed traditions/adaptations
- Doctrine of inspiration?
What is Doctrine of Inspiration?
God/HolySpirit led/influenced the Biblical authors
inspiration includes the notions of (God suitably helping in):
- recollection
- application
What does ‘redact’ mean? What is Redaction Criticism?
redact = To Edit
Red.Crit. looks at what Gospels actually say individually as we have them, as written by an author within a context trying to portray Jesus
What does Redaction Criticism emphasize?
final literary products as theological compositions
each author as author w/particular purposes; uniqueness
What are Redaction Critics’ views on the authors of the gospels?
- again, each author as author = uniqueness
- authors aren’t just compilers, but INTERPRETERS of oral traditions (and interpreters of the significance of Christ to their readers w/in the circumstances)
Redaction Critics focus NOT on how gospel authors got their sources, but on what?
what they DID with their sources
What are 2 strengths of Redaction Criticism?
- author as author
- books as whole
What are 2 weaknesses of Redaction Criticism?
- not as interested in authenticity/historical truths
- lots of emphasis on authors’ creativity
In summary of the criticisms, what are the 3 theories? (in no particular order)
- Literary/Source Criticism
* sometimes Source = a 4th kind like in table - Form Criticism
- Redaction Criticism
To understand better, what are the basics of historical criticism methods?
see table
To understand better, how does Charlie Brown comic explain higher criticisms?
see Peanuts comic
What does “Gospels” actually mean?
Good News
Who are “Evangelists” in NT studies?
‘euaggalion’
= writers/authors
With proper definitions of ‘Gospels’ and ‘Evangelists’ , what can be said about the pair together?
Evangelists are the proclaimers of the good news.
Evangelists as literary artists = what?
different authors w/different materials for different audiences
Gospel writers as Evangelists as lit. artists results in what?
- each have distinctive portraits of Jesus
- selecting different things to include of oral traditions
- different material from common source(s)
- each addressing a different (specific) audience
What is the 21st Century Perspective of the good news historically?
** oral tradition and community context are FILTERS through which we see Jesus in the material **
MT presents Jesus as a descend]ant of who?
King David
MT presenting Jesus as David’s descendant shows Jesus as the _____ , which is important to what audience?
Jesus = the Heir
audience = the Jews
MT’s genealogy begins with who?
Abraham
= FATHER OF THE JEWS
MT is the only gospel to include what ‘Christmas’ story?
that of the Maggi
key b/c:
- discusses Bethlehem, which = the city of David
- they’re looking for the King of the Jews
In MT 5(Beatitudes)-7, why is Jesus teaching the Sermon on the Mount important?
His preaching about the Kingdom of God comes off as royal teacher
Many of the unique sections of MT = what?
OT fulfillments
ex. repeatedly JC referred to as “Son of David”
To summarize, what is the special aim of MT?
to show that JC is the legitimate heir and fulfillment of OT prophecies
Which gospel is the longest?
Luke
LK gathered together what b/c he wasn’t around JC at time of life?
reliable eye witness accounts
What audience does LK’s gospel seem to be written to?
a cultured, educated (Greek) gentile audience
What are some results of a ‘gentile orientation’ in LK’s gospel?
- (many) fewer quotations from OT
- seldom appeals to prophetic proof text
- often uses Greek equivalent terms
- appeals to Jesus concern for all races/classes/etc.
- “universal dimension”
LK shows “universal dimension” in his genealogy (3:23) by showing it go back to who?
Adam
Compare the humanitarian concern of Jesus between MT and LK.
- MT
- 5.48 = ‘perfect’
- 5.3 = ‘spiritual poor’
- LK
- 6.36 = ‘mercy’
- 6.20 = “poor”
- and 6.24-26 = against the rich
LK’s gospel contains more for who?
women
more roles for them, respect for them, etc.
LK’s literary style was what?
educated, cultured
elegant Greek
*reflects author and audience*
JN is not synoptic why?
very different and independent from others
JN’s gospel is independent from other 3 Gospels in what 3 ways?
- style
- content
- theological emphasis
JN’s literary style was what?
-
simple, easy to read, yet profound
- can convey deep truths in simple language
- syntax/grammar = simple, plain
- vocab. info on different question, but note it
- some of most vivid images and characters
JN’s vocabulary was what?
less extensive,
will repeat certain terms for emphasis
- ex. for repeated words = love, truth, light, etc.
JN’s content includes what?
- extended discourses/speeches of JC
- vs individ. sayings or a collection of sayings
- different geographical focus
- different chronological ministry
JN and the other gospels differ in what 2 things regarding Jesus’s ministry?
-
chronology
- length of Jesus’s ministry
- SGs = 1 Passover mentioned; 1 trip to Jerusalem mentioned (as adult)
- JN = 3 Passovers mentioned; 4 trips to Jerusalem mentioned (as adult)
- length of Jesus’s ministry
-
geography
- location of Jesus’s ministry
- SGs = Galilee (North)
- JN = Judea (South)
- location of Jesus’s ministry
JN’s content seems to do what with the material? Why?
rearrange material
to fit theological purpose
ex. how disciples address JC, or Jesus’s renaming of Peter
*simply not as concerned with neatness*
In JN’s content, he tries to do what w/the general picture?
fill it out
ex. disciples - fishermen being followers of John the Baptist
JN’s theological emphasis in chapter 1 shows what?
- JC in the beginning
- as the source of life
- Life = light
- these and other words are often repeated
- Life = light
- as the source of life
- emphasis on LOGOS of God (vs BIRTH)
JN’s theological emphasis is also on ______ w/Christ, and the ______ of Christ.
- Communion w/Christ
- Person of Christ
- “self-conscious identity” of JC
- who He thinks He is
- “self-conscious identity” of JC
JN’s theological emphasis on the person of Christ involves what kind of statements?
the “I am…” statements
JN’s style, content, and theological emphases create what kind of portrait of Christ?
“a highly individualistic portrait of Christ”
effectively:
- SGs prob. more careful in relaying JC’s exact words and actions
- JN more creative in his arrangement and translation of JC’s words and actions
How does JN’s gospel build off of his 2 definitions of “word” ?
The Scriptures are ‘spiritually inspired’. ‘Inspiration’ = ______ and _______
Recollection
and
Application
Gospels are really what?
anonymous
What 2 things do we look at to decide/analyze gospel authorship?
- external evidence (what tradition says)
- internal evidence (what in-text says)
Tradition says MK’s gospel was written by who?
-
John Mark
- cousin of Barnabbus
- mentioned in Acts
- early church tradition
- originally theory by Papias
- written in Rome from the preaching of Peter
Internal evidence says what about MK’s gospel?
- written to Roman-Gentile audience
- Mk 1.36, 16.7
- Peter featured prominently and distinguished from other disciples
Tradition says MT’s gospel was written by who?
-
Matthew Levi
- tax collector
- disciple of Jesus
- some fight this theory b/c of Markan Priority
- why would an eye witness follow MK’s account?
Internal evidence says what about MT’s gospel?
- groupings of 3
-
mathematical, tidy mindset
- (like that of a tax collector)
-
mathematical, tidy mindset
- more mention/emphasis of taxes
Solutions to the issue of MT’s author being Matthew Levi and still following Markan Priority could be what?
- might as well use format already given
- recognized Peter’s account being what MK recorded and so deferred to him
- could be deferring to an early account (ex. Q)
etc.
Tradition says LK’s gospel was written by who?
- doctor/physician
- gentile
- early convert of the Christian mission
- missionary companion of Paul in Acts
- native of Antioch, Syria (2nd largest city)
Internal evidence says what about LK’s gospel/author?
- humanitarian concern
- doctor would likely have this
- written to cultured Greeks
- reflects his knowledge/education
- (so likely his home)
- he was a gentile
- reflects his knowledge/education
Tradition says JN’s gospel was written by who?
-
John, son of Zebedee
- the apostle
Internal evidence shows us what about JN’s author?
- John 21:20, and 24
- way of keeping anonymity
- ex. other gospels Last Supper vs JN’s Last supper (again 21.20)
- way of keeping anonymity
How do we find approximate dating of the Synoptics?
- based on MK and Acts
- Acts ends w/Paul on house arrest waiting for his trial in Rome, which can be verified
- written somewhere around 63ad
-
Acts = Part II
-
LK = Part I
- this means LK was written earlier than Acts (63), so LK prob. around 61-62ad
-
LK = Part I
- Mkn Priority sets MK even earlier than LK in 61-62, so MK supposed around 60ad
- Acts ends w/Paul on house arrest waiting for his trial in Rome, which can be verified
- so… MT could be from 60-70ad
- near destruction of Jerusalem?
How do we find approximate dating of JN?
- different time = new audience, different style, new context, etc.
- has benefit of seeing the synoptics
- dated to 90ad
In summary of the canonical gospels, what are the stages of transmission?
Why do the canonical gospels get written down by stage 4 of transmission? What are 4ish possible ‘occasion(s)’ that suddenly made records necessary?
- deaths of witnesses
- = external pressure
- growth of religion
- = written down info/records/law is easier
- prevent heresy/false teaching
- = internal pressure
- realization that Christ may not come back in their lifetime
- need = for future generations
What are 3 differences in gospel accounts? 3 similarities?
3 differences:
- each writer has own account and distinct styles for varied audiences
- not to be understood as everything Jesus ever said or did
- they’re ‘interpretive portraits of Jesus’
3 similarities:
- same story/person/event
- not imaginative accounts; based on history
- some borrowing of information seems to be apparent (some dependence)
summary of differences between synoptic gospels and JN
see image
What are the 3 levels of understanding gospel material (by our current, ‘looking back’ pov…not chronologically/realistically)?
- purpose of the evangelist – theological agenda
- function of the oral tradition in the early church
- historical level of the early life of Jesus – His words and deeds
*realistic is reverse*
What are the earliest written sources of the NT, and which are acquainted w/main features of life and teaching of JC?
The Letters of Paul
written between 50s-60s ad
Paul’s Letters (PL for Paul) make allusions to what?
Jesus’s sayings
PL is careful to distinguish what?
distinguishes Jesus sayings from his own (as PL)
ex. 1 Cor. 7:10-12 and 11: 23-25 show Apostolic oral influence/teaching
The Apocryphal Gospels (non-canonical ones) are all what?
pseudographical
*ex. (Gospel/) Book of Thomas = collection of 100 sayings of JC …some are same as Canonicals, most are not
Apocryphal Gospels (non-canonical) date back to what age?
- Post - apostolic age
- 100s - 200s ad (2nd and 3rd cent)
- so AFTER 1st cent
- (when canonicals written)
- so AFTER 1st cent
- 100s - 200s ad (2nd and 3rd cent)
What are 2 main purposes of the Apocryphal gospels?
- very large reason/portion = heresy
- provided support of heretical ideas
- put one’s words in Jesus mouth
- provided support of heretical ideas
- several written just to satisfy curiosity
- for instance, about gaps in ages of Jesus life
- some people just speculating
- essentially, curiosity leads to speculation leads to fabrication
What are 2 examples of Aprocyphal works written more to satisfy curiosity than support heresy?
-
Protoevangelium of James
- is all about Mary
-
Infancy Story of Thomas
- about JC as a young boy
“Protoevangelium” = what?
Proto = before —–
evangelium = Gospel = good news
…so before the Good News
What are the 3 points of significance of reading Apocryphal gospels?
- shows real cases/tries of heresy
- indirectly points to standards/criteria for inclusion in NT
- shows gullability of some readers
What are the 4 standards/criteria for inclusion of a gospel in the NT?
- Apostolicity
- Antiguity
- Liturgical use
- Rule of Faith
What does Apostolicity mean or ask as a standard for gospel inclusion in NT?
- Was the book written by an apostle?
- “apostle” in NT terminology = 1 sent by JC
What does Antiguity mean or ask as a standard for gospel inclusion in NT?
- Is it old enough to have been written by an apostle?
What does Liturgical Use mean or ask as a standard for gospel inclusion in NT?
- Has the church valued and used it in context of worship?
What does Rule of Faith mean or ask as a standard for gospel inclusion in NT?
- Does it have creed-like statements?
- If so, is the content in line w/oral apostolic tradition?
What are 4 forms of JC’s teaching?
- Picturesque Speech
- Puns
- Proverbs
- Poetry
What are 3 tributes of JC’s “picturesque” speech?
- colorful language
- extreme statements
- sharp contrasts
- ex. is MT 7:3-5
What is JC’s play on words in JN 3:8?
use of Pneuma (Greek) and Ruach (Aramaic) to refer to ‘wind, breath, spirit’
What is JC’s play on words in Matthew 23:24?
Gnat (Qalma) vs Camel (Qamlo) through ‘eye of needle’
What is JC’s play o nwords in Matthew 16:17-18?
Simon –> Peter “on this rock…”
JC’s Proverbs only emphasized what?
one side of a truth
**ex: Prov. 26:4 vs 26:5
JC’s proverbs conveyed ____ not ____?
principals not laws
How does Hebrew poetry (of JC) achieve rhythm?
by echoing or contrasting statements
John has ____ # of parables, but many _____.
0 parables, many allegories
How many parables are just in the synoptics?
60
What are the 3 types of parallelism in JC’s poetry?
- synonymous parallelism
- antithetic parallelism
- step parallelism
What are the 2 basic functions of JC’s parables?
- ethical
- theological
What is an example of an ethical parable?
LK 10: 29-35 = Good Samaritan
What is an example of a theological parable?
MT 20:1-16 = Laborers in the Vineyard
How do you tell the difference between ethical and theological parables?
CIE = Context Is Everything
JC’s teaching concerning God is P____ vs S_____.
Proclamation vs Speculation
JC’s preaching style paints him as a what?
OT Prophet
What is the ‘argument from silence’ ?
not speaking on a subject does NOT mean there is no opinion (for ex. JC doesn’t address idolatry, homosexualism, monotheism…but he wouldn’t be indifferent)
What is the context of JC’s preaching?
Jewish, multiple audiences
JC proclaims God in what terms?
relational / personal… ex. = how God acts, what He says “God is love.” and “Our Father” = Abba, a term of endearment [rabbis would have likely used more formal Abbi if it came up]
What is the Dual Aspect taught by JC about the Kingdom of God (Duality is also in OT)?
- Present
- He IS King
- Future
- There is a future kingdom we WILL see
- ex. The Lord’s Prayer
- There is a future kingdom we WILL see
JC presupposes/calls for ________ to God
obedience
JC calls for followers to do what with the Kingdom?
have it as a PRIORITY
JC’s teaching concerning Himself is much more _____ and _______.
veiled and indirect
What does “anointed” mean?
Christos
What is oil a symbol of? over the head?
Holy Spirit, over head = anointing of Holy Spirit on you
Who were the people anointed w/oil in culture or OT?
Prophets, Priests, and Kings
What is the Messianic Secret?
JC basically keeps it on the down low = no press/calling card … NO “Hi I’m Jesus the Messiah”
Why keep truth a Messianic secret?
**misconception of Messiah in society = expectectations of military leader, king, etc.
*bandwagon followers
**ex. of JC’s humility
What term/phrase does JC constantly use in reference to Himself? His preferred term?
“Son of Man”
What are the 3 contexts of JC’s use of “Son of Man” phrase?
- Public (in context of public ministry)
- Future (identifying as fulfillment of Daniel 7)
- Suffering and Death (in context of His approaching ‘end’)
Why does JC like son of man term?
- flexibility
- HE shapes the use of the term
- somewhat paradoxical w/duality
- speaks of Present and Coming Glory
- somewhat paradoxical w/duality
What is the identifiable term used that is JC’s actual claim to divine status?
“Son of God”
JN’s usage of Son of God has it as a what?
very strong emphasis
JN says Jesus is what?
unique; no other Sons
JN has “I am” sayings and thus uses what formula?
Theophonic (God-appearance)
What does the Son of God phrase do for Jewish audience?
deliberately connects ‘divine’ dots
SynGosp use of Son of God phrase = what?
less than JN, but still there (over a dozen) … just subtler
What is a less obvious claim to divine status, esp. in SGs?
JC’s use of “Amen” … “Amen” = ‘truth’ or ‘verily’ … no one besides JC ever prefaced prayers w/this
People were amazed with JC’s preaching why?
He spoke w/authority
What is Christology?
pertaining to Christ
Gospels have a “_____ view” of JC
exalted
Summary of JC’s life and claims could be Mere Christianity quote.
“Jesus is either a liar, a lunatic, or Lord of all.” paraphrase
There is no better evidence for JC making the Claim than what?
- The way that He died
- highest political and highest religiously moral groups falsely and illegally put JC to death
- what else could make them do this?
- highest political and highest religiously moral groups falsely and illegally put JC to death
JC had a very realistic view of all men being what?
sinners
JC’s teaching involved both sins of C______ and O______.
Commission (sins you commit) and Omission (things, often good, you fail to do when you know you should)
What is the whole point of JC addressing God’s high standard against sin?
Ultimately only God can stand up/fulfill the need; not by your power, but by His can one succeed/live/find grace
JC’s development of spiritual life focuses on what kind of attitude?
inward ; aligning ourselves w/God
What is the sum of the ethical demands of Jesus?
Golden Rule
What is unique about JC’s Golden Rule?
It’s positive! All others are in the negative form (don’t do what you don’t want done)
JC’s proverbs are not to be taken as legal rules, but rules of what?
conduct
JC’s teaching is on P____ not P_____
Principles not precepts (“rules”)
2 Rabbinical schools of thought = S_____ and H_____ believed what about marriage? How did JC reply?
- Shammai = indecency = unfaithfulness
- Hillel = indecency = anything she does wrong
- Jesus = YOU GUYS MISS THE WHOLE POINT OF MAWAGE = contrasts legal code w/God’s purpose
Reward for doing God’s will = ?
fulfillment (remember beatitude, treasures in Heaven)
