BF Final Exam
How does the last chapter of Revelation connect to the first chapters of Genesis and complete the C-S-E-R structure that began there?
Connects to first chapters of Genesis: There is a river of the water of life... which is described in Genesis 2 as flowing into the garden of eden It mentions the tree of life which is mentioned in Genesis 2 There is 12 kinds of fruits which relates to the 12 tribes of israel It mentions there will no longer be anything accursed which is like the tree of knowledge of good and evil which is cursed in eden Completes the CSER Structure: God's restoration of israel also becomes the restoration of humanity as a whole as the nations are welcomed into God's work Restored as israel and humanity are redeemed from their sin as there is a new beginning in heaven
What is a gospel?
Comes from the greek word "euangelion" which means "Good News" "The good news of God" "The goods news of the kingdom" Originally the message of Jesus but eventually a literary genre Literary works that describe the life of a prominent figure ("Bios" which means "life")
What is the quest for the "historical Jesus"?
Scholar named Albery Scheweitzer, but really came up in the jesus seminar by john dominic crossan They try to get to the jesus of history They interpret Jesus by using criteria with multiple attestation and e When they applied the criteria to the gospels, it is almost like they are looking into a well and seeing their own reflection and making jesus the person they want him to be... viewing Jesus as a hippie or a jesus who is a scholar or a jesus who is a history teach
What was the nature of the conflict between Hellenism and Judaism in the period between the testaments? How do the specific texts we considered in class reflect this conflict?
Some jews willingly embraced Hellenism and their foreign overlords, either because they valued Greek culture or because they thought embracing Hellenism and their foreign overlords, either because they valued Greek culture or because they thought embracing Hellenism was politically advantageous. (p 118)
How does he recommend people determine their calling?
Affinity: is this something you enjoy doing Ability: do you have the ability to do it Opportunity: is it something you can pull off given your opportunities in your life
What is the apocrypha (otherwise known as the Deuterocanon)?
Apocrypha is a variety of ancient religious writings that illuminate thought patterns from the time period between the testaments. The assorted texts have been grouped into collections known as the Old Testament Apocrypha ("hidden" texts) and the Old Testament Pseudepigrapha ("false writings"). It includes numerous literary styles or genres and are considered to be a part of the canon of Christian Scriptures (p. 124)
The many letters in the New Testament are occasional documents from the first century" (Fee & Stuart). How does this affect the way the letters are read?
These letters are intended for a specific situation We get in these letters, Paul's answers, but we don't know what questions or the problems they are the answers to It is almost being able to hear one side of a phone call or reading one side of someones letter Also known as "task theology"... not theological treatises but addressing particular issues and situations in the church
Which verse summarizes the message of the book of Acts? Be prepared to explain how passages from your assigned reading support this message
Acts 1:8 - "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" He structures the book by this verse and the expansion of the church Witnesses in Jerusalem (2:1-8:3) Witnesses in Judea and Samaria (8:4-11:18) Witnesses to the rest of the world (11:19-19:20; 19:21-28:31) The key to understanding acts is orchestrated through the Holy Spirit
What is the C-S-E-R structure? How do texts in the Deuterocanon, Gospels, Acts, Pauline Letters, and Revelation demonstrate that structure? (See Ciampa article)
Creation/Covenant - Sin - Exile - Restoration Redemptive history is the gradual unfolding of God's sovereign plan to redeem his people and restore them to be who they were meant to be: those who act on the Lord's behalf to advance his kingdom throughout all creation. The overarching themes of the Bible fall under the pattern of Creation/Covenant - Sin - Exile - Restoration, with Israel's history embedded into this arrangement of all humanity.
What is the message of Galatians? Be prepared to explain how a passage chosen from the book contributes to that message.
Deals with human predicament... the importance of Jesus' death and resurrection... abrahams example... baptism... relationship between jews and gentiles... Talks about "Judaizer" who are jewish Christian missionaries who encouraged obedience to ritual law like in order to be a christian you have to be circumcised, obey food laws, and holy days... and paul is not excited about that understanding of what it means about being a christian Galatians 2:15-16 We who are Jews by birth and not sinful Gentiles 16 know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified." God creates a proper covenant relationship between God and humans where none exists... we are justified and made righteous 2:21 says "if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose" Defence/Evidence of Paul's gospel doctrine: The Galations' conversion: "Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith?" (3:2) The example of Abraham: When God said he would justify the gentiles by faith, declared the gospel beforehand to Abraham saying "all gentiles shall be blessed in you" (3:6-8)... The law provides discipline not life (3:10-25) All in Christ are equal recipients of God's promises... we are all one in Christ Jesus (3:27-28) Galatians relationship with Paul vs Judaizers: they want to shut you out that you may make much of them (4:17) The allegory of Sarah (freedom of promise) and Hagar (slavart to law) (4:21-31) Then there is life of freedom in Christ (5:1-6:18)
Be prepared to apply Fee and Stuart's seven rules for interpreting Paul's Letters to your assigned reading.
Distinguish between the central message of the Bible and that which is peripheral Distinguish between what the NT sees as moral and what it does not Make special note of where the NT is uniform and where is reflects differences Distinguish in the NT between principle and application Attempt to determine the cultural options open to the NT writer Be alert to cultural difference between then and now that are not immediately apparent Exercise Christian charity
How does the broader biblical narrative present a movement from unity to diversity to "diversiunity"?
Diversiunity" unites unity and diversity together In the tower of babel, the people wanted to make a name for themselves and didn't want to get scattered and rebelled against God's desire for humanity to be fruitful and multiply... so Gods creates diversity as a punishment for their disobedience Then in the NT pentecost... the holy spirit comes upon the disciples and they are able to preach to all the diverse people who gathered in Jerusalem for pentecost in different languages... so after God confuses the tongues of all humanity, in Christ the message of God's redemptive work is being spread out through all the diverse people... the story of the NT is God's redemptive restorative purposes of humanity through all nations through the gospel In revelation there is a combination because in heaven there will be a great multitude of every nation standing before the throne of God and crying out thats salvation belong to God.. so the diversity all turns the nations towards Christ and are unified by worshipping christ but they all have their own language and distinct characteristics
What are the five ways the gospel transforms work according to Tim Keller?
Faith gives you a new identity without which work can sink you (ex. Born a man, died a doctor) Faith gives you a new concept of the dignity of work without which work can bore you Faith gives you a moral compass without which work could corrupt you Faith gives you a new world and life view without which work will be your master; not your servant Faith gives you a sophisticated kind of hope without which work will ultimately frustrate you
How many missionary journeys did Paul go on, which direction did they each progressively go in, and where did his final journey end?
First missionary journey between 47-48 CE... spends time in damascus and syria... then goes to cyprus then asia minor then goes through asia minor and goes back to antioch Second missionary journey between 49-52 CE... travels by land through asia minor to macedonia and the agea peninsula (visiting athens and corinth)... he stays in corinth for a year and a half and goes back to antioch by going through jerusalem Third missionary journey 52-57 CE... visits all the churches he founded through asia minor and spends 2 years and three months in a city called ephesus..
What is the genre (or genres) of Revelation, and how does it communicate its message?
Genre: word of prophecy written in the form of an apocalypse with a letter framework It communicates its message by a predictive approach which means readers see it as predicting something in the future and does not apply right now... instead we should read it according to the purpose of the apocalyptic genre to provide exhortation and consolation through shaping imagination... it give visions that unveil the future and the realm of heaven
What is the basic structure of Paul's letters?
Greetings Prayer of thanksgiving (but galatians doesn't have one) Body (Doctrine, followed by Application) Closing (may include a blessing too)
What was Saul/Paul like before he encountered Jesus, why did he initially treat Christians the way he did, and why did he change?
He at first opposed the church In his opposition to the church, he experienced a miraculous conversion He goes to the high priest out of his commitment to the jewish religions then plans on finding Christians to persecute them and stop them from preaching a message he thought was wrong Then on his way to damascus, he fell to the ground with a light shining on Him and God speaks to him and asks why he is persecuting him, and then he believed and becomes a missionary of Jesus' gospel to the gentiles
How does James draw on the Old Testament books most concerned with wisdom to present its own understanding of wisdom?
He compares the wisdom from below/earth and the wisdom from above/God and is compared to the book of Ecclesiastes... (James 3:13-17) Also James connects with the book of Proverbs that describes wisdom and they both see wisdom as a gift from God and emphasizes practical wisdom and james emphasizes the applied wisdom (doers of the word not just hearers)
How do Luke 24 and Acts 7 connect the Testaments?
In Luke 24 on the road to Emmaus, Jesus mentions there are aspects that are found in the OT that point to Him (talks about Moses, the prophets, and the psalms being fulfilled) We need to look into the OT and see how the NT answers and solves the mysteries found in the OT In Acts 7, Stephen is put on trial and proves that the people reject leadership and shows how God desires to dwell with his people like in the tabernacle and in the temple and with his law, which relates to who Jesus is
How are the differences between the genealogies in Matthew and Luke significant for the respective messages of each gospel?
In matthew: he links jesus with abraham who is the father of the jews, but he points toward gentile inclusions, and in david the kingdom of god is emphasized In matthew, the writer (Mathew) reminds the readers that God has accomplished his divine plan through heroic women who others have questioned and God works through the difficult situations
What are the "worlds" of the gospels and how do they differ from one another?
In the time of Jesus, they spoke Aramaic, the setting is in a rural setting and his ministry is done orally through speaking In the time of the Gospels, they spoke Greek, the setting is in a urban setting, and the books are a literary presentation of Jesus' message
What is inaugurated eschatology? How is it related to Jesus' miracles?
Inaugurated eschatology: the last days are beginning now... there's an overlap of this age(that is passing away), and the age to come that is breaking into this age and giving a taste of what the upcoming age of complete righteousness and perfectness will be like Related to Jesus' miracles:
What type of community is each gospel addressed to and what primary message does each attempt to communicate to that audience?
Mark: Addressed to Gentile Christians... he translates Aramaic, explains Jewish ritual, and uses Latinism Mathew: Addressed to Jewish Christian community and Jewish community Alludes to local separation between mostly jewish christian community and jewish community Luke: Audience of wider Christian, mostly gentile Addressing larger issues of Christian movement as a whole John: Leads to emphasis on love and unity Addressed to both between Jewish Christians and other Jews, and with other chirstians, and within the community
What is the main theme of the Sermon on the Mount as evident throughout the text?
Righteousness... Jesus desires his people to be a righteous person and that is the gift Jesus will gift to them on the cross
Which religious groups were active in Judea during the time of the New Testament? What were their characteristic features?
Pharisees Most prominent group... mainly thought of as being the bad guys... closest group to Jesus and early Christians (strived to live virtuous living)... believed in afterlife that either had punishment or bodily resurrection... do all their deeds to be seen by others Sadducees Rejected the resurrection/afterlife... choose what is good in this life... only hold to written tradition.. Closely associated with the temple... Essenes Revolutionaries Called zealots.. Refuse to acknowledge any leader as Lord but God... sometimes refuses to pay taxes.... Samaritans Mentioned throughout NT... descendants of people in northern israel that were taken in exile... seen by judeans as a half breed and were looked down upon... Jesus is willing to interact with them... are in the north.. Believes their temple was the place where people should worship God... had their own pentateuch Christians Shared the beliefs of a lot of these other groups, acting like a jewish group... Rabbinic Judaism The pharisees morph into this group... gathered in sinagags... followed the hebrew scriptures... received guidance from rabi
What are the four types of "bridges" between the Old Testament and the New? Be prepared to identify them in your assigned reading.
Quotation and allusion Quotation: a direct reference to OT text... about 400 in the NT Allusion: indirect reference to OT... about 2000+ in NT Typology An NT's writer's perception of models or foreshadowing of Jesus and his work in passages of the OT that in themselves have no predictive or forward-pointing intention Prophecy Predicting something that will happen in the future and fulfillment Thematic coherence A divine dilemma... like God loves us so much but we are disobedient so he punishes his people
What are the contours of Paul's theology?
That Paul's theology emerges from a Jewish symbolic world (Gal 2:15-16) Paul understands God's work in the world from an apocalyptic perspective (1 Thess 4:15-17) His understanding of the gospel comes from the apocalyptic gospel
How does the structure of Mark support the thesis stated in the book's first verse?
The first verse is: "the beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ [Messiah], the son of God" The book of mark is divided into two parts, the first part is about Jesus is the son of God (Mark 1:1-8:30) and the second part is about how Jesus is the Christ and Messiah (Mark 8:31-16)
What inspired the Maccabean revolt?
The Jewish resistance to Hellenism. A priest in Modein named Mattathias refused to offer pagan sacrifices as Antichus IV had decreed. While resisting, Mattathias killed a jew who chose to offer pagan sacrifices, and other jews joined him. And the jews rebelled against the Seleucid overlords (118)
How do the parables of the Good Samaritan and the Prodigal Son contribute to the purpose of the gospel of Luke?
The purpose of the gospel of luke: to reassure Gentile Christians (like Theophilus) who feel out of place in this originally Jewish movement that they belong... and to convince jews troubled by gentile inclusion and the lack of jewish response that God has given the nation multiple invitations to join in his renewed work In the good samaritan the message is about showing mercy and Jesus tells him to do likewise as the samaritan who helped the man in need In the prodigal son, he embraces and runs after his son.... He was lost and is now found
What kinds of solutions have been proposed to the "synoptic problem"?
The synoptic problem: involves the fact that when you look at the three synoptic gospels, the languages are very similar.. So how do you explain this? Solution: Oral tradition hypothesis : there is an oral tradition and matthew mark and luke are drawing from that tradition Augustines hypothesis: mark is copying from mathew, and luke is also copying from matthew but not from mark The Griesbach (two-gospel) hypothesis: that mark is drawing from luke and matthew The farrer hypothesis: mark was first and matthew copied from mark and luke copied from mathew and mark Two source hypothesis: there was a fourth source called "Q", where mathew and luke are drawing from mark and also drawing from "Q" Four source hypothesis: same as two except mathew is drawing from "M" and luke is drawing from "L"
How do the catholic/general letters get their name?
They aren't addressed to a specific church or person but to the catholic (universal) church Addressing the general church/ people
What are the goals of Hebrews and how does it use a series of comparisons to achieve them? (See the Bible Project video on Canvas)
To evaluate Jesus as superior to anyone and everything else, and that Jesus is worthy of all their trust and devotion To challenge the readers to remain faithful to Jesus despite persecution How it uses a series of comparisons to achieve them: First Jesus is compared to the angels and the toral (chapters 1-2)... meaning Jesus is superior than the previous ways and messengers God has revealed himself in Israel then He is compared to Moses and the promised land (chapters 3-4)... meaning that Jesus is not only the builder of the tabernacle like Moses was, but to all of creation... and since Jesus is higher than Abraham, how much greater and higher are the stalks if we rebel against him Then to the priests and melchizedek (chapters 5-7).... Meaning that Jesus is ultimate priest king who is morally flawless and eternally available to his people and superior to any mediator between God and his people then to the sacrifice and covenant (chapters 6-10)... meaning that jesus' death on the cross was the ultimate sacrifice superior to the animal sacrifices that were constantly sacrificed in the temple and Jesus' sacrifice is permanent
What are the categories in which Paul's letters are placed, and on what basis?
Undisputed Letters - letters that scholars believe were written by Paul himself Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, 1 Thessalonians, Philemon Disputed Letters - letters that scholars believe were not written by Paul himself but someone else wrote in Paul's name Ephesians, Colossians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus Reasons for the categories: Literary: through a literary perspective people argue that the writing style is different Theological: some believe that there are different theological views that dont match up very well Historical: some dispute of how these letters fit in the historical time period described in acts