Term
|
Definition
| Siege of Jerusalem. Destruction of the Second Temple. It also marks the beginning of the diaspora of the Jewish people from Jerusalem. End of Jewish war vs. Rome. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| (know connection to gospel genre) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a book containing texts traditionally believed to be authored by one of the twelve apostles. Authorized messenger, given ability and authority to write text. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Def:a particular tendency or inclination, especially one that prevents unprejudiced consideration of a question. In the context of this class, bias can affect the way you analyze the historical content. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Def: an ecclesiastical or law enacted by a council or other competent authority and, in the Catholic Church, is approved by the pope. In the context of this class, canon is the early doctrine and guiding principles of the church. It is important to know what the criteria were for canon to be implemented (I don’t know what that is yet, I’ll let you know when I learn it).
● Reed (measuring) a ruler, works as a standard to measure what’s true
● Authoritative collection of works:
○ The texts have authority bc they’re in a collection
OR
● Texts have authority and put into a collection
● Texts gain authority bc they are used often in community
1.) Conformity to the “rule of faith” (conformity between the document and orthodoxy)
2.) Apostolicity ( immediate contact with an apostle)
3.) Widespread and continuous acceptance {Pg. 736 in Introduction} |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
figure of speech in which two or more clauses are related to each other through a reversal of structures in order to make a large point. In the context of this class, these literary devices were often used in the Bible. “ ABCB’A’ ”
A- Talk about paper
B- Go into review
C- Here’s what you need to know about exam
B’- More into review
A’- How this relates to paper
Structure of the construction brings focus to the middle (center). Scholars argue gospel of John is one big chiasmus that focuses on the resurrection of Lazarus, reaffirmed by Jesus’ resurrection. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Is a damn good movie, regardless of what Dr. Huggard says... No seriously, I’ll look this one up later. Constantine was an emperor of Rome who in 313 legalized Christianity after he won a battle. It essentially allowed Christianity to be practiced freely within the Roman Empire, but it did not make it the state religion either (I think some other emperor did that). Also, through the Edict of Milan promised tolerance of religion
● A lot of people begin joining Christianity bc it is allowed – becomes mainstream
● With the addition of people into the Christian church come lots of tensions |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
is the council at which the canon of the Hebrew Bible was finalized, sometime in the 1st-century (estimated 79 C.E.). In the text it keeps saying “allegedly”, so I am assuming people argue over whether this thing actually happened. I’ll follow up. “Closed canon of Hebrew Bible. Toss out Christians. Christians are not a Jewish sect they are ‘something different from us’.”
● Marks separation b/w Christians and Jews
○ Christians no longer allowed into synagogue |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Def: To rid of mythological elements in order to discover the underlying meaning. In the context of this class, you want to demythologize (sp?) to determine the underlying meaning of the Bible stories. like M. Borg did in “meaning” or Paul does with early Jesus. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Def: the movement, migration, or scattering of people away from an established or ancestral homeland”. In the context of this class, Diaspora refer to the migration of the Jewish population (Israel), across the Roman Empire. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the belief that history is going somewhere, that something will happen through which everything will be made right (Meaning, p. 32) refers to the theology and philosophy regarding the “end times” or end of the world |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
method of biblical criticism that traces literary patterns in attempt to determine the period of oral transmission.
● focuses on verbal transmissions - story being told person by person
● oral tradition - passing on history
○ stories may be modified by communities as time goes by
○ determines that text that’s short = must be the oldest
○ sitz in leben - use those tales for certain situations in their life |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Well-known and regarded rabbi in first century. Paul studied under him. Says to other Pharisees, “If it’s of God, there is nothing we can do to stop them (Peter?), if it is not of God, he will destroy it |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
use of word or phrase to take author back to a certain context (i.e. Genesis)
● idea of equal category
○ bringing back a variety of other texts
● ex. Gospels - at the beginning of them it reminds you of the opening words of Genesis |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Salvation of soul by knowledge. Also, idea of material vs. spiritual world (where material was associated with the bad and spiritual was good) , derived from platonism (where the forms/soul- immaterial- were good and material- the body- was bad) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Reflects the broad chronological development of Jesus’ ministry, starts in Galilee, withdrawal to the North, returns to ministry in Judea and Jerusalem. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The type of work or kind a piece of writing is.
Example: Acts is ancient or theological history |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the national character or culture of Greece ( John was very Hellenistic). Spread of language, philosophy, ways of governing,culture all influenced by the Greeks. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| when people emphasize the divinity of christ over his humanity (JC was recognized as Messiah). (emphasis on miracles and things along these lines). John has a high christology in his gospel. |
|
|
Term
| Jerusalem Council of 48/49 C.E. |
|
Definition
| Council decides that “new” christians aka the gentiles do not have to be become “fully” Jewish. They don't have to be circumcised, do not have to eat kosher meat, but cannot believe in Idolatry (sleeping with other gods) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| (only information I have) Luke Ch: 1, birth of Jesus and John the Baptist (was foretold and JB was born) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| (from the Johannine prologue) Generally appears in english translations as “word”, was the word |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Acts belongs with gospel of Luke, 2nd volume in history of Christian beginning, texts were separated and the second part (Acts) of story needed a title, have the same author |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| written documents that still remain.“these are the written documents that...uh...the extant documents, the one that remain, then there are those that are only recorded in fragments. Really talking about written text that still remains.” “Thousands of manuscripts attesting to the New Testament.” |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a bishop in early christianity who was excommunicated for his views on the Hebrew god vs the new testament god. believed that “the creator god of the old testament was not the good god and father of jesus christ of the new testament”.... J. Christ was the savior sent by god, but only that. dualism. Rejected the Old Testament. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the main alternative to M (matthean priority) since some believe that Mark wrote his gospel based on the preachings of peter, making markan dependence on matthew difficult. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| within context of overall canonization. 160-170 C.E. First documents that puts together group of text and states that they are authoritative. Similar to Marcion, but later. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| “proto-gospels” of Mark and Luke. One of the theories of how these sources come together. “If I was going to put this on the test it would be matching.” Author of Matthew or Luke would have used this source. One of the theories to get around Q. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a hypothetical document reconstructed by scholars from material found in Matthew and Luke, but not in Mark; a collection of sayings (p. 11-12 meaning). There was another source that aided the authors in creation of their books (stories, words and actions of Jesus) besides the other synoptic gospels. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| What is the theological purpose, and what was the authorial intent? Seeks to describe the theological purposes of the evangelists by analyzing the way they use their sources. M/M/L/J added their own modifications to their gospels and brought emphasis upon the story of Jesus. Literary contributions of the authors. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| paul the apostle. Shift from Saul to Paul, is not a minor event (intentional). Symbolizes Jewish centric to Hellenized Greco-Roman world. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| find written sources behind certain texts. Literary units put together |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Mark,Matt,Luke
● similar : structure, tone and contents
● Greek for “seeing together” |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| How are the gospels related to each other and what order did they come out |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| “those oral and written sources that are really a collection of sayings. Theory of Q document functions as testimonium.” 1 original gospel, oral sources, written fragments (connected to source criticism). |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Mark and Q as the two primary documents behind the synoptic gospels (p. 12 meaning) “goes to the synoptic gospels, Mark and Q are the foundation for the synoptic gospels.” |
|
|
Term
| What were the key criteria in the early Church for the canonization of the Scripture? |
|
Definition
| Use and reception of books within church, apostolic authorship, widespread acceptance (Shepherd of Hermes [sp?] example, didn’t make it in because it was not widely accepted).. Based in early Jewish canon. |
|
|
Term
| What is a “closed canon” and how is the term used in New Testament studies? |
|
Definition
| exp: The Bible. the books that are in the Bible are set and done. No more books in, no more out. |
|
|
Term
| What is Paul’s background and how does it play a part in his successful missionary journeys? |
|
Definition
He was trained as a pharisee, his first stop in each town was the synagogue
Born in Asia Minor--> helped his ministry because he knew the lay of the land/Hellenistic Gentiles |
|
|
Term
| Why does Paul always visit the first synagogue in each town that he visits? |
|
Definition
| b/c the synagogues are still essentially jewish sects.... after appealing to these w/o success he opted to talk to the gentiles with a better reception |
|
|
Term
| What is the outcome of the Jerusalem council? |
|
Definition
| Council decides that “new” christians aka the gentiles do not have to be become “fully” Jewish. They don't have to be circumcised, do not have to eat kosher meat, but cannot believe in Idolatry (sleeping with other gods) |
|
|
Term
| Paul views himself as an apostle “abnormally born.” What does this mean? Why is his Gentile mission field ironic? |
|
Definition
| He views himself as abnormally born because he came to Christ as an apostle after all the other apostles were selected and Christ had ascended. |
|
|
Term
| What brings Paul to Rome? |
|
Definition
| Paul was to stand trial in Rome for the crimes he allegedly committed |
|
|
Term
| What are the six common assumptions to form critical methodology? Who were some of the pioneers in this field? |
|
Definition
1. small units
2. community identity
3. standard forms
4. “setting in life”
5. stories are modified by community
6. determine the text (short = old)(dissimilarity) |
|
|
Term
| Describe the relationship of Mark to Matthew and Luke with respect to source criticism. |
|
Definition
● Wording is almost exact in certain texts
● There are also differences like when Matthew does not include the paralyzed man’s friend opening a hole in the roof to let his friend down
● Roughly follow the same order
● Interdependence-Matt and Luke used Mark and Q as a basis for their parts |
|
|
Term
| What is the main focus of redaction criticism? How does it help reveal the themes in the synoptic gospels? |
|
Definition
| Form criticism deals almost exclusively with oral tradition. Forms are discernable through folk tradition. Redaction criticism (think editor bringing sources together with intent). Source criticism is how we determine which section goes with which source. Redaction criticism says, “what sources did the editor use and why did he use the material that he did?” Redaction: why is the material arranged in this way. |
|
|
Term
| What external evidence plays a role in the dating and authorial attribution of all the gospels? |
|
Definition
● Mark shorter and more primitive writing style means he probably came first
● Mark and Matt agree, Mark and Luke agree, Matt and Luke agree less often. This means they both used Mark |
|
|
Term
| What is the basic structural framework of the Gospel of Matthew? |
|
Definition
| If I’m not mistaken, in “Introduction”, the authors speak of the most popular outline being 5 books as well as a prologue and epilogue. the 5 books chronologically deal with discipleship, apostleship, hiding of revelation, administration, and judgement. Authors then go on to do a 7-plot outline but I don’t think that’s required knowledge. Follows a Markian outline as well. |
|
|
Term
| What are the basic arguments for Markan dating in the 50s and 60s? |
|
Definition
● Peter is in Rome, Luke does not write about Paul's death
● prov. Rome
● Peter is dead
● Internal evidence of Mark is said to favor a date during, or shortly after, the onset of persecution in Rome
● Mark 13 reflects on the situation in Palestine during the Jewish revolt |
|
|
Term
| Who is Luke and why is his background relevant to the thematic structure of the gospel of Luke? |
|
Definition
Luke is a learned Gentile, “not Jew”
Physician/doctor, man of meanings or learning
1st common plural “we”
1. no disputing Luke’s authorship
2. early attestants to Luke:
a. Marcion
b. Muratorian fragment
3. why Luke?
no benefit to keeping name |
|
|
Term
| What is the Johannine prologue and how does it set up the rest of the gospel of John? |
|
Definition
| It draws authority from using the phrase in the beginning, and it also emparts a high Christology to the rest of the Gospel |
|
|
Term
| Who are the authorial contenders for the gospel of John? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| List and define some of the major differences between the Gospel of John and the Synoptics. |
|
Definition
1. it is Hellenistic - John uses greek philosophy and influence on his gospel
2. Abstract themes - i.e. temple = body, water = spirit, lifted up = exalted
3. high christology - begins gospel with his love of god versus the beginning it with Jesus’ birth
*can anyone second any of these reasonings?*
synoptics: layout ( as in MML generally begin with the birth of jesus vs john beginning with the creation story)
the use of parables to teach the messages of jesus/whatever ( in MML there are many - in john there are none)
the focus of the gospel - john focuses on jesus himself vs the synoptics focus on the kingdom of god in general |
|
|
Term
| Briefly describe the structure of Acts. Why does the author structure his history of the early church in this manner? |
|
Definition
Jerusalem (starts) and goes to Rome (center of world for Gentiles), *shows how the word started in Jerusalem, but traveled out of the Jewish roots and spread. shows how jesus as a Jewish Messiah brought the word to the nation... * this all begins in Acts
Versus Luke being the author: why description of Paul’s theology not match with epistles |
|
|
Term
| Where is Paul’s main place of ministry? Why is his background relevant to this place? |
|
Definition
| First missionary journey and most of second are spent in Asia Minor, which is where he grew up. Going back to the very area he hails from, an area that he knows. Teaching to people he can already relate to. |
|
|
Term
| What are Paul’s main sources of authority? |
|
Definition
| Directly from God on Damascus road. Also given by Peter. Also relies on Old Testament, saying what he is doing is a fulfillment of Hebrew Scripture. |
|
|
Term
| What is the New Perspective in Pauline studies? how is it markedly different than earlier constructs of Pauline theology? |
|
Definition
| “Recovery of Paul the Jew. For roughly last 400 years Paul was interpreted in terms of the reformation. Believed one is justified from works.” New perspective says people were saved because of what God did, not what they did to earn his help. Not about works, but about keeping covenant. Not about earning salvation. |
|
|
Term
| The Meaning text contends to be a debate between two scholars on the historical Jesus question. What is the “historical Jesus” debate and briefly describe Borg and Wright’s overall position on the question. |
|
Definition
| The historical Jesus refers to scholarly reconstructions of Jesus. The historical Jesus is believed to be a Galilean Jew who is based upon historical evidence from the Gospels. Borg believes that the historical Jesus was historically remembered and historically metaphorized. Jesus was a Galilean Jew who did things, but when depicted in the bible, the gospel metaphorize his life i.e. jesus is not literally the light of the world, but they mean to see him as the light of the world. Wright believes that the historical Jesus is paired with faith. We cannot alone trust the history of Jesus since we cannot be positive his history due to the fact that the early church used and shaped the gospel stories for their own ends. However, when paired with faith, we come to know Jesus “by faith” i.e. accept existence of a nonspatiotemporal world, the existence of Jesus in this world, and soon to have access to nonspatiotemporal world. We know Jesus in the context of the personal relationship. The more you find out about Jesus historically, the more you find that the faith-knowledge of him is supported and filled out. |
|
|
Term
| What is the distinction between Borg’s pre-Easter Jesus and post-Easter Jesus (be specific)? |
|
Definition
| *please edit if not entirely correct* Pre-Easter Jesus: what Jesus did. Jesus during his historical lifetime. This Jesus is dead and gone – a clam that does not deny Easter, but simply recognizes that the “protoplasmic” Jesus isn’t around anymore. Post-Easter Jesus: interpretation of the church. What Jesus became after his death; The Jesus of the developing Christian tradition and the Jesus whom his followers continued to experience after his death as a living, spiritual, and ultimately divine reality) |
|
|
Term
| How does Wright argue for Jesus’ knowledge of his own messiahship? |
|
Definition
| The mission and message of Jesus is that he is messiah and he is here to save. Jesus serves as messiah by bringing about the kingdom of god. He is a prophet who speaks about social ills, and functions as king in kingdom of god in order to defeat evil. Jesus thought he was messiah and he was right. Based on what the NT says, this is the common Christian position throughout the ages. |
|
|
Term
| How does Borg describe Jesus as a Jewish mystic? |
|
Definition
| Jewish mystic = Jesus as spirit person, healer, wisdom teacher, social prophet, and movement initiator. Whether or not jesus thought he was the messiah, he is the messiah. It is the community’s testimony to what jesus has become in their life together. |
|
|
