Unit One: Introduction to New Testament Study

1. Unit One: Introduction to New Testament Study The N.T. Canon 1. #’s and Divisions 27 Books in NT total 4 gospels 1 Acts 21 Epistles 1 Revelation

2. I. Introduction to N.T. Study • 1. #’s and Divisions • 4 Canonical Gospels • Matthew (70-90) • Mark= first Gospel written (65) • Luke (70-90) • John (90-100)

3. I. Introduction to N.T. Study • 1. #’s and Divisions • Acts Of the Apostles (70-90) • Luke; volume two to the gospel • Chronicles the first thirty years of the church; • Shares the story of the Spirit-guided growth of the church

4. I. Introduction to N.T. Study • 1. #’s and Divisions • 21 Epistles • 13 Pauline Epistles (7/6) (from Romans to Philemon; l-s) • Captivity Letters (Philippians, Philemon, Colossians, Ephesians) by Paul from prison • Pastoral Letters (1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus) • TO; Audience--title --8 “Other” Letters (Non-Pauline Epistles) 1 Letter to the Hebrews 7 Catholic Epistles James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Jude (OF/FROM)—authorship--title

5. I. Introduction to N.T. Study • 1. #’s and Divisions • 1 Book of Revelation • Apocalyptic literature • --written during times of persecution (90-100, Romans/Domitian & Christians) • Highly symbolic style of writing • Purpose = encourage faithfulness • Theme= Good will eventually triumph over evil • --John of Patmos-- author exiled

6. I. Introduction to N.T. Study • 1. #’s and Divisions • 2. Organization of the Canon • Gospels (faith summaries—Jesus; 4/6 BCE—30CE) • ACTS Jesus story continues through the story of the growth of the Church (30—65) • Letters As church grew, a way to keep in contact with the early Christian communities • Revelation apocalyptic—end times

7. I. Introduction to N.T. Study • B. Inferences • 1. Most of the letters were written before the gospels

8. I. Introduction to N.T. Study • B. Inferences • 1. Most of the letters were written before the gospels -2. New Testament books were written by people who were already believers in Jesus as messiah Lk 1:1-4 Acts 1:1-3 1 Thess 1:5-6 1 Pt 1:3 Rev 1:4ff

9. I. Introduction to N.T. Study • B. Inferences • 1. Most of the letters were written before the gospels -2. New Testament books were written by people who were already believers in Jesus as messiah -3. All New testament materials were written with post-resurrection awareness

10. I. Introduction to N.T. Study • B. Inferences • 1. Most of the letters were written before the gospels -2. New Testament books were written by people who were already believers in Jesus as messiah -3. All New testament materials were written with post-resurrection awareness -4. No N.T. book was written after 110 C.E.; part of the apostolic tradition

11. I. Introduction to N.T. Study • B. Inferences • 1. Most of the letters were written before the gospels -2. New Testament books were written by people who were already believers in Jesus as messiah -3. All New testament materials were written with post-resurrection awareness -4. No N.T. book was written after 110 C.E.; part of the apostolic tradition -5. New testament writers grew in their understanding of the meaning of Jesus over time. MK MT. LK JN

12. Unit One: Introduction to N.T. Study #’s and Divisions within the Canon Inferences N.T. Development Three Stages -Historical Jesus 4/6 B.C.E. – 30 C.E. MAP -Oral Stage -Writing and Editing Stage

13. A. Historical Jesus Stage—Palestine at the Time of Jesus • i. MAP

14. A. The Historical Jesus Palestine at the Time of Jesus Roman Domination 63 BCE Pompey captures Jerusalem 2. Roman Rule i. Herod The Great (37 BCE-4 BCE) from Idumea Great Builder—cities (Caesarea + harbor) public bldgs, TEMPLE

15. 2. Roman Rule • i. Herod The Great • Known for being ruthless, power-hungry • Had some of his own sons killed, fearing they would take over his throne • MT credits him with ordering the “Slaughter of the Innocents” • After his death in 4 BCE, Palestine was divided into territories to be ruled by his surviving sons

16. 2. Roman Rule • ii. Herod Antipas • Ruled Galilee and Perea from 4 BCE – 39 CE • (throughout Jesus’ lifetime—especially Jesus’ public ministry which began in Galilee; Jesus appears before him at his trial) • Builder like his father—Tiberius -Had John the Baptist beheaded

17. 2. Roman Rule • Philip ruled from 4 BCE-37 CE Decapolis • Builder—Caesarea Philippi • Archelaus –inherited Idumea, Judea & Samaria in 4 BCE from his father Herod the Great • Cruel, unfit to rule, banished to Gaul in 6 CE

18. 2. Roman Rule • iii. Pontius Pilate 26-36 CE • PROCURATOR = Roman Governor more direct control over troubled areas—Judea & Samaria— report to Emperor, keep peace, handle court cases involving capital offenses • (dates—Jesus’ public ministry and the PDR of Jesus takes place under his rule—did sentence Jesus to death)

19. 2. Roman Rule • iv. Sanhedrin—”Great Council” for Judea & Samaria—made up of Pharisees and Sadducees, make laws, hold trials, pass sentences--(everything but capital punishment) • v. Publican = tax collector

20. A. Historical Jesus Stage—Palestine at the Time of Jesus • 3. Four Groups Within Judaism • a. Sadducees—priests, aristocrats • Responsible for Temple, worship centered in Jerusalem • Sympathetic to Roman rule; power, $ • Believed in only the Torah (so NO BELIEF IN RESURRECTION)

21. A. Historical Jesus Stage—Palestine at the Time of Jesus • 3. Four Groups Within Judaism • b. Pharisees • Lay group—middle class, scribes, artisans • Stressed EXACT RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCE—following the letter of the Law—believed in both the Torah and the Talmud

22. A. Historical Jesus Stage—Palestine at the Time of Jesus • 3. Four Groups Within Judaism • c. Essenes • Not mentioned in NT yet influenced early church • “Sons of Light”; Qumran • Dead Sea Scrolls • Expected two messiahs—kingly and priestly

23. A. Historical Jesus Stage—Palestine at the Time of Jesus • 3. Four Groups Within Judaism d. violent, anti-Roman hoped for messiah to be revolutionary military leader—overthrow the Romans responsible for an unsuccessful revolt (66-70 CE) resulting in destruction of Jerusalem

24. Unit One: Introduction to N.T. Study #’s and Divisions within the Canon Inferences N.T. Development Three Stages A. Historical Jesus 4/6 B.C.E. – 30 C.E. 1. Map 2. Roman Rule 3. Groups within Judaism B. Oral Stage C. Writing and Editing Stage

25. N.T. Development • B. Oral Stage • 1. Why Oral/Why Written a. Acts 1:8 Jesus’ last instructions, expectation of parousia b. Delay of the Parousia, deaths of eyewitnesses; rapid growth of the church; (Acts-sequel; Rev-persecution of believers)

26. D. Oral Traditions • 2. Kerygma = the essential good news of • Jesus, PDR; what was first preached • about Jesus; persuasive speech intended to convert the listener—gain new believers—baptize; To Jews—O.T. • To Gentiles—Universal • Preaching Jesus dies, rose from the dead according to God’s plan and belief in Jesus brings eternal life—so a challenge to accept, believe • Acts 2:14-41; 3:11-26; 4:8-12; 5:30-32; 10:34-43; 13:16-41; 17:22-31

27. B. Oral Stage • 3. Didache= further catechetical instruction; directed at those who already believe—teaching more about what it means to be a believer/live life as a follower of Jesus • 4. Liturgy = the symbolic prayer of the Church that expresses and deepens its faith; when believers gather together to pray—what’s said teaches more about Jesus + living life as a Christian *Eucharistic Celebrations

28. C. N.T. Development • C Writing/Editing Stage • 1. Gospels • SYNOPTIC = Mk, Mt, Lk “look at together” • MK=“Synoptic Source 65-70, Used by Mt, Lk 70-90 • ”Q”quelle(source) material in Mt,Lk NOT in MK, early written collection of Jesus’ sayings • “l” material only in Luke (Caesarean collection of Jesus material) • ”m” material only in Matthew (Palestinian-Syrian collection of Jesus material)

29. 2. Synoptic Source Diagrams • a.

30. 2. Synoptic Source Diagrams • b.

31. 2. Synoptic Source Diagrams • c.