NT 3 Exam

Revelation: What is the main point(s) of the book?

- God exists and is guiding the course of history. - He has overcome evil. - He will bring everything to a triumphant conclusion in His time.

Revelation: Explain the nature of the letters to the seven churches.

- They were written to actual churches in the present time (not allegorical). The church is swept up in a cosmic battle that affects more than what we can see now. There is a battle going on for us. - Lacodecia received no praise. - Philly and Smyrna received no criticism.

Revelation: How does the text itself give us the structure of the book?

-"What you have seen": Prologue -"What is now": The Letters to the seven churches -"What will take place later": The Great Tribulation through New Heavens and Earth -Epilogue: watch and wait; he comes

2 Peter: Recipients and nature of the occasion.

-Believers -Previous Contact -Impatient with God and uncertain about the Lord's return -Under attack from internal sources -Internal disruption -Communal division -Nature of the threat: A platform provided by their professed belief, Immoral to the extreme, Doubting return of Christ Believers who Peter had been in contact with before who were impatient and uncertain about Jesus's return and who also were experiencing attack from the inside (aka: a mole). They were being threatened by false teachers.

Revelation: Explain the various views on the reign of Christ.

-Christ will ascend a literal, earthly throne -- premillennialism: Gospel Optimism but more structural pessimism -Christ is reigning in Heaven over the church the "1,000 years" are figurative -- Amillennialism: Gospel Optimism but more structural optimism of postmillennialism. -Christ will reign in the sense that through evangelism the world will enjoy a period of peace and prosperity culminating in the "christianizing" of the world and the return of Christ -- postmillennialism (gospel optimism with high structural optimism, "kingdomize" the world)

John and the Johannine Epistles: Portray John as a person.

-Fisherman -Brother of James -Jesus' Nickname: 'son of thunder' -Ambitious, self-confident, self-centered -Lacked compassion -Member of the 'inner circle' -John, the elder: gentle, compassionate

1 Peter: Note and explain distinctives.

-From avenging angel to suffering servant -Holiness, in all spheres of life -Pilgrim's progress

Revelation: What are the interpretive approaches to the book?

-Idealist: God and His way/No ties to specific historical events -Preterist: John and His times -Continuous Historical: From Time of Church to My day -Futurist: John's Past and Present Experience and Consummation of Time

Revelation: What was the occasion and who were the recipients?

-John in Exile and the Churches under persecution -Persecution of Christians as Christians Widespread -Point of conflict: Emperor Worship Recipients: The churches in Asia Minor

Revelation: What are the characteristics of apocalyptic literature and why did John use that genre?

-Rich symbolism: OT Imagery, Numbers, Creatures, etc. -Dualism: struggle between good and evil (full-orbed view of Life's struggles) -Comfort and Encourage the righteous remnant -Encoded to hide message from persecutors

2 Peter: Purposes and their explanation.

-Stimulate growth -Arm for combat -Undergird certainty of Christ's return

John and the Johannine Epistles: What was the occasion, especially the focus of the dispute in 1, 2, 3 John?

1 John - focus on community; exhorted to love one another, and not hate. 2 John - written to the Chosen Lady and encourages them with the same message as 1 John. 3 John - written to Gaius, whom John commends his faithfulness and walking in the truth.

Hebrews: What are the book's distinctives?

1. Christ our High Priest --> He was fully God and fully man, and that was the only way that His sacrifice could atone for the sins of all mankind. He empathizes with us rather than sympathizing with us. 2. Hall of Faith --> Picture of life grounded in Christ. 3. God's Discipline --> Training - facing much loss so we need much discipline to know God. These hardships fit into God's purposes because it is for God's glory and our good. 4. Finality of Christ's Work

James: What are the distinctives, esp. the issues related to trials and the tongue?

1. Faith and Works (2:14-26)- Works are evidence of faith in a believer. 2. Trials and Maturity- Trials lead to maturity, mental discipline, wisdom, and "life." 3. The Fiery Tongue- Cannot be constrained by outward adjustment - it all has to happen from the inside. 4. Contacts with Jesus' Teaching- Lots of overlap with Jesus' gospels.

2 Peter: Distinctives and their explanation.

1. Inspiration - the merging of the Holy Spirit's message with the words of the authors. 2. Canon -- apostle letters are authoritative, inspired by God as scripture 3. God's Patience

John and the Johannine Epistles: What are the distinctives of the Gospel of John?

1. The "I Am" statements- All of them emphasizes character qualities that are divine. The functions that they talk about relate to His deity, and they also relate to God's function in the OT.- I am the way, truth, life, resurrection, vine, good shepherd, door 2. The "Word" Section- The Word is put there to emphasize that Jesus is the definitive revelation of God. This section shows Jesus' humanity. 3. The "High Priestly Prayer"- Jesus intercedes for His own. He is the faithful High Priest who offered Himself once and for all. 4. "You might come to faith/continue to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God"

Jude: Note and explain the distinctives.

1. The Faith Once Delivered- There is a firm shape to our faith that has been delivered. 2. Mercy in Separation- We need to be merciful to those who don't believe what we believe. Be ready to lead others to the faith but do so mercifully. Also, do not give in to beliefs that are not the Bible when we step into other people's lives and try to help them. Do not let what they do affect how we biblically think of it. 3. God's Sovereignty/My Responsibility- God's grace and salvation is not just some insurance policy or back-up plan for eternity -- it should transform us to His likeness.

John and the Johannine Epistles: The "I am" statements in John function to say what about Jesus?

All of them emphasizes character qualities that are divine, once again that Jesus was both God and man. The functions that they talk about relate to His deity, and they also relate to God's function in the OT.

1 Peter: Describe Peter's Christian life.

An Average Man Man of Contradictions: -Spiritually perceptive and dull -Bold and backwards (walks on water and denies Jesus) Died as a martyr under Nero

Jude: Note the Occasion. In particular, what does it mean that the opponents are perverting grace?

Cancer in the Body. 66-67 AD, possibly occasioned by the appearance of false teachers among the Pauling churches Peter warned about in 2 Peter, Jude writes to encourage these churches The letter talks about a common salvation, then becomes pointed book aimed at individuals destroying the church from the inside out -- people were using religious language to pervert grace and deny Jesus. Hence, the audience were believers but also perverters of the Gospel.

John and the Johannine Epistles: General purpose and distinctives of 2 John.

Distinctive: -Faith Conservation Corp -Discernment Those who have the Lord will continue in the teaching of His word. Also, be discerning as to whether or not people come speaking Gospel truth or rather their own message.

John and the Johannine Epistles: General purpose and distinctives of 1 John.

Distinctive: -Tests of fellowship -Sin is sin (vivid contrast) John tells them what Christian fellowship should look like and he tells them that sin is sin and that they need to avoid it.

For the author of Hebrews, Christ has fulfilled the OT & it should be set aside as completely irrelevant. (T/F)

False

Hebrews is primarily addresses Gentiles. (T/F)

False

In 1 Peter "Babylon" is a code word for "Corinth." (T/F)

False

John argues that everyone will be saved. (T/F)

False

Without doubt, Hebrews is by Paul. (T/F)

False

Hebrews: What do we know about the author?

Formally Anonymous Traditionally: Paul Problems with Paul: -Paul does not claim it -Formally Distinct -Author: 2nd Generation Christian -Early Church Doubts Other Suggestions: Barnabus, Luke, Apollos What we Know: -2nd Generation Christian -Well-versed in LXX (Septuagint) -Highly Literate

1 Peter: How did Peter want the believers to respond to persecution?

He wanted them to stand firm, knowing full well that their eternal security cannot be touched. He also wants them to know where they stand, since the times will only get harder for them.

James: Who were the recipients and what was the occasion of the letter?

He was writing to refugees who had lost everything. More specifically, he was writing to Jews and believers. In reference to the Jews, he was writing to the "Twelve Tribes" who were living according to the "Law of Liberty." -Direction and encouragement in the face of persecution -Possible Background: persecution following Stephen's stoning

John and the Johannine Epistles: What is the two-fold purpose of the Gospel of John?

It is an account of Jesus' mission/life but also a tool for evangelism in the way it was written. He writes to bring people to faith and to also sustain them in the faith.

James: In what sense did James 'stand on his own feet'?

James identifies as a servant of Christ, rather than His brother. This has the effect of signifying the authority and loyalty of James apart from familial relations. Analogy: imagine trying to get a job at a company your father is the CEO for, and you apply without giving away your familial ties to him.

John and the Johannine Epistles: How does the prologue relate to John's purpose in the Gospel?

Jesus is the fulfillment of the Word of God. He is the divine who became flesh to live among us and fulfill the covenant.

Hebrews: Who were the recipients and what was the danger threatening them?

Jewish Christians in Palestine (or Rome) Contemplating Leaving Christ to Return to Judaism He was writing to Jewish Christians (those who were from the seed of Abraham) who were a part of Jewish "camps" that the author wanted them to separate from.

John and the Johannine Epistles: How does the various individuals Jesus encounters speak to the two-fold purpose of John?

John portrays many "unlikely" people coming to faith -- emphasizes God's grace over human standing. Also, shows the great, personal love of God for sinners and how redemption is possible through Him.

John and the Johannine Epistles: How does the epilogue relate to John's purpose in the Gospel?

John ties up the loose ends with Peter. He tells of how Jesus asked Peter three times if Peter loved Him. When John emphasizes Jesus' humanity, he wants the reader to have a personal response to the Gospel ("What is that to you? You follow me!").

2 Peter: Of what was Peter a witness and how does his eyewitness account of this event function in the book?

Peter saw the transfiguration. Since this is the case, when people tried to twist and misrepresent the Gospel, Peter would tell them what he saw and tell them exactly how it was supposed to be.

John and the Johannine Epistles: General purpose and distinctives of 3 John.

Purpose: arresting the looters Distinctive: dangerous side effects of battles for the truth You will be rejected from the faith if you do not speak truth and represent Jesus' Name well.

1 Peter: Who were the recipients and what was the occasion?

Recipients: Pauline communities under severe persecution Occasion: persecution under Nero

James: What does James mean by a double-minded man?

Someone who adds to the Gospel and what it looks like in the life of believer. Being hypocritical and having reserves about following Christ.

John and the Johannine Epistles: What does John mean when he calls Jesus the Word?

That Jesus is the definitive revelation of God. This also functions as the place where John emphasizes Jesus' humanity, and to show that He was truly both God and man.

Hebrews: How does the author go about making his case for the supremacy of Christ (be sure to be able to trace out the progression of the argument in the book outline)?

The OT gives us pictures of great people (angels, Moses, prophets, etc...) who were highly revered. The point that the author is trying to get across is that Jesus is so much better than those people. He is our Great High Priest who is like none before and who no one will be like after, who will usher in the New Covenant.

1 Peter: What was to be the foundation which would take them through the troubles of life?

The anchor in the storm: a certain, future salvation

1 Peter: To be holy is to be what for Peter?

The implications of salvation for Christian life in Crisis: 'be holy as I am holy' -Various spheres: personal, communal, societal, familial -Various bases: the nature of the believer (chosen, children, priesthood) and the certainty of God's promises as creator and redeemer (imperishable word, certain judgement, certain reward) This is to be consecrated fully. To be consecrated to God and to His fullness. We are being separated from the world and what God isn't. Consecrate everything to God. This affects everything. Holiness should change all aspects of our lives. It should change our identity.

Jude: Theme

The perils of perverting grace

Hebrews: How do the "warning sections" function in the book?

The warning sections are literary and rhetorical devices meant to gain and sustain the reader's attention to keep them aware of the gravity of the situation. He tells them to not forget what he is talking about.He then releases them and tells them to not stop listening to what he is saying.

James: What is the purpose and theme of James?

Theme: God is always good and everything we need for life comes down from Him. Purpose: Pastoral Admonition for a scattered flock to live a focused life, a life of unalloyed commitment to God

James: What are the fundamental truths about God in chapter one that it seems the readers have forgotten?

They forgot that Christianity sometimes leads to persecution, and because of that, they forgot that God provides for them along the way. They also forgot that they needed to be doers and not just hearers -- God's goodness makes hearers doers. -Belief in God's goodness allows Christians to face adversity in a way that promotes Christian maturity and God's glory -Belief in God's goodness makes hearers doers -Belief in God's goodness leads to kingdom centered gatherings -Belief in God's goodness shapes life -Belief in God's goodness would mean that only those whose hearts are governed by Godly wisdom would seek, or be sought for, leadership -Belief in God's goodness would lead to humble appeals to God instead of competitive, malicious conflict -Belief in God's goodness brings the future judgement to bear on the present -Belief in God's goodness looks to God as the center of everything

Apostasy refers to a belief of some that a Christian can reject their faith and return to the status of an unbeliever. (T/F)

True

For John only those who believe in Christ will receive the gift of eternal life. (T/F)

True

Hebrews falls within the collection of books in the NT known as the "general epistles" or "catholic epistles". (T/F)

True

Hebrews lacks the most common feature of an ancient letter: a formal greeting. (T/F)

True

Hebrews stresses Christ's superiority to OT prophets, angels, Moses, & Aaron. (T/F)

True

In 1 Peter the believer's are being urged to follow Christ as their example so that they respond to this time of suffering as Christ did to his own sufferings. (T/F)

True

In 1 Peter, salvation occurs in the midst of suffering; they go hand in hand as they live the life of foreigners and aliens. (T/F)

True

Interpreting Revelation is difficult due to the large number of visions, over 60 of them. (T/F)

True

It is likely that John wrote his gospel in Ephesus. (T/F)

True

It was Jesus' humanity, rather than his divinity, which was first called into question by early heretics. (T/F)

True

John is especially interested in the unity and diversity within the Divine Being. (T/F)

True

John's favorite depiction of Jesus is "the Lamb." (T/F)

True

Many believe that Hebrews suggests that it is possible to be active in a believing community without a personal knowledge of the Lord. (T/F)

True

One of the ways John contends that Jesus is God incarnate is by showing that Jesus is the fulfillment of Israel's and all humanity's hopes. (T/F)

True

Peter is intent on helping his readers understand that they are strangers in this world; they should live as members of the world to which they really belong. (T/F)

True

Revelation emphasizes God's guidance of the course of history toward his ultimate triumph. (T/F)

True

Revelation gives an account of both personal and cosmic eschatology. (T/F)

True

Revelation is most likely written against the backdrop of persecution under Domitian. (T/F)

True

Symbolism is prevalent throughout Revelation. (T/F)

True

The Dispensational Premillennialtheory holds that at the end of the millennium, Satan and all his angels will be judged at the Great White Throne judgment. (T/F)

True

The author of Hebrews does not want his readers to be intimidated by the difficulties they are facing. (T/F)

True

The authors of our textbook suggest the title of a "sermonic epistle" for Hebrews. (T/F)

True

The persecution that forms the backdrop of 1 Peter happened under Nero. (T/F)

True

The position that rejects the idea of a literal thousand-year reign of Christ on earth is called the Amillennial view. (T/F)

True

Hebrews: What is the purpose?

Word of exhortation to hold fast to the real thing and not the shadow the author is concerned about their spiritual growth and maturity -- he questions their genuineness and warns them about stepping back from the faith.

John writes in the style called:

apocalyptic

Jude: Purpose

contend for the faith