Unit 1 Chapter 1

1. Unit 1Chapter 1 Introduction to the New Testament

2. Essential Question • What are differences that separate Christianity from Judaism?

3. I CAN • Discover how the Hebrew Bible is an essential part of the Christian Bible • Summarize how and when the New Testament was formed • Gain an understanding of the content and makeup of the New Testament • Appreciate how the gospel is a unique literary genre.

4. Beginning • The Christian Bible is broken into two parts • Judaism changed from a temple religion to a rabbinic tradition after the temple was sacked in 70AD • Matthew 5: 17-18 Jesus clearly states he came to fulfill the Old Testament, not make it irrelevant • Jews are waiting for a messianic age and Christians are waiting for a second coming

6. The Bible in Early Christianity • Christianity was born out of Judaism, with Jesus and his followers being Jews • Christ is another word for “anointed one” or “Messiah” • Idea of old covenant and new covenant comes • Jeremiah 31:31-32 • I Corinthians 11: 25-26

7. Serious Differences • Midrash*- an interpretation or exposition of the meaning of a biblical text • Polemic*- Aggressive argument or refutation • Christians have a new interpretation of the Old Testament and took much of their early life arguing that their way was the right way

8. Conflict between Jews and Christians

9. A Note on Literary Development Old Testament New Testament Written in popular, or koine,Greek It was the language of markets and seaports Composed over about 100 years Focuses on the life of one person • Written in Hebrew • Composed over more than 1000 years • Includes many different styles such as history, law, prophecy, speeches, prayers, poetry, and songs

10. Forming the Canon of the New Testament • Greek word kanon means a “straight rod,”“bar,”“rule” • Drive to create the canon first came from a bishop named Marcion, who wanted to eliminate the Old Testament • Also a group known as the Gnostics*- early Christian movement that taught matter is evil and salvation comes through gnosis or special knowledge

11. Criteria for New Testament • Apostolic Origin- the book or letter should be attributed to and based on the teaching of the first-generation apostles or their close companions • General Acceptance- the major communities in the early Christian world should have acknowledged it as authentic • Public Use- the book or letter should have been read publicly when early Christian communities gathered • Consistent Message: the works should contain an outlook or message complementary to other accepted Christian writings

12. Forming the Canon Cont. • Writer Tertullian first used word “New Testament” • In 367 bishop Alexandria listed the 27 books that made up NT • Jerome, who translated the NT into Latin, followed him • Church councils at Hippo (393) and Carthage (397) settled the matter

13. The New Testament in Early Christian Community • The Bible was originally read publicly • Ancient manuscripts did not have spaces between words or punctuations • People that read aloud had to fillin the punctuations

14. The Letters of Paul • There are 23 letters that make up the NT • The apostle Paul wrote most of them • He was a devout Pharisee that started off persecuting the church but then changed on the road to Damascus

15. What is a Gospel? • Gospel*- proclamation of the early Christian community that describes the life and teachings of Jesus as they had come to be understood in that community • Translates to word evangelism—”good tidings,”“good news” • Matthew, Mark, and Luke make up the synoptic gospels • Life, teaching, death, and resurrection of Christ