Christian Scriptures Terms (Chap 6-8)

Front 1

Herod Antipas

Back 1

Son of Herod the Great. Client ruler of Rome in Israel during Jesus' trial.

Front 2

Who appointed the High Priest in Jerusalem during the time of Jesus?

Back 2

Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor.

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Pax Romana

Back 3

Peace of Rome, Romans were vigilant in their efforts to maintain stability.

Front 4

What was the primary language of Jesus?

Back 4

Aramaic.

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In what language were the gospels written?

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Greek.

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Location/social setting of Mark

Back 6

A time when Christians experienced various kinds of persecution & affliction, either under Nero or backlash of Jewish revolt in Judea. For a Gentile audience.

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Location/social setting of Matthew

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Likely originated from Antioch in Syria & alludes to a bitter local separation between the Christian community (mostly Jewish Christians) & the Jewish community.

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Location/social setting of John

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Johannine community's early history when a conflict arose between Jewish Christians & other Jews about the divinity status of Jesus. Led to them reaching out to Gentiles.

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Location/social setting of Luke

Back 9

Addressed to Theophilus, Luke's patron but generally to a more general Christian/public audience, most likely Gentile readership.

Front 10

The Greek word, "evangelion"

Back 10

Good news. Initially referred to an oral announcement or proclamation, but in Christian tradition, associated with Jesus who proclaimed the good news of God.

Front 11

Most modern scholars recognize the gospels as belonging to what genre of ancient literature?

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A "Life". Ancient biographies that hoped the readers would adopt a particular perception of the subject & imitate the subject's life.

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Synoptic

Back 12

Matthew, Mark, Luke. "Seen together"

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Synoptic Problem

Back 13

Scholarly attempts to answer the question of literary dependence or connection among the three Synoptic gospels. Source criticism - the analysis of a document to discover & identify its sources.

Front 14

Markan Priority

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Scholarly consensus that Mark is the earliest gospel & served as source document for Matthew & Luke.

Front 15

Two-Source Hypothesis

Back 15

Matthew & Luke draw from Mark, as well as another source, Q

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Q

Back 16

Hypothetical source reconstructed from the approximately 220-230 verses shared by Matthew & Luke. Contains much of Jesus' teachings/sayings.

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Messiah

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"Anointed One". Between the Old & New Testament, faithful Jews longed for the day God would send an anointed one to act & speak on God's behalf.

Front 18

"Christos"

Back 18

When Hebrew Scriptures were translated in Greek, translators used "christos" as anointed one.

Front 19

Matthew uses what literary device to portray Jesus as a “new Moses”?

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Typology.

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Savior (soter)

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For many readers of Luke, savior would have been associated with concepts derived from Greco-Roman culture, whose "gods, military leaders, emperors" were often described as "saviors".

Front 21

"Logos"

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Greek term that carried various meanings in antiquity (word, statement, thought). Stoic philosophers spoke of Logos as unifying agent of universe. Jewish writers (Philo) used Logos & Sophia interchangeably as they described God's creative & redemptive work in the world, which John builds on.

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Realized eschatology

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Present benefits of the resurrection event for believers. Jesus' own life & ministry carry out God's judgment, give eternal life, inaugurate God's blessing upon those who believe, defeat the forces of evil. Judgment, eternal life, & God's blessings are already present realities for the believers reading John's Gospel.

Front 23

Irenaeus

Back 23

Irenaeus saw an overarching unity among the four canonical Gospels. He spoke of one Gospel, which has 4 aspects or parts to it, bound together by one Spirit & function as 4 pillars for the church. He knows of other non-canonical gospels but does not believe that they participate in the One Gospel.

Front 24

The animal symbols used to represent the 4 Gospels

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Jerome applies 4 symbolical figures of Ezekiel to the Gospels. Human face is Matthew. Lion is Mark. Ox is Luke. Eagle is John.

Front 25

Christology of Mark

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Miracle working Son of God & long awaited Jewish Messiah. Suffering Servant.

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Christology of Matthew

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Fulfilment of Jewish heritage & Scripture. Messiah.

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Christology of Luke

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Humble & merciful Savior of all.

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Christology of Acts

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Exalted Jesus as Lord & Messiah who continues to guide & care for the disciples from his position at the right hand of God by means of the Holy Spirit.

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Christology of John

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Logos, all powerful king who victoriously defeat Satan & the world. Theological richness of Jesus' preexistence, incarnation, & ascension.

Front 30

Discipleship in Mark

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Must be willing to suffer just as Jesus did.

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Discipleship in Matthew

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To live a life of righteousness that far surpasses that of the Pharisees, according to Jesus' teachings that show ethical purity as important as ritual purity.

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Discipleship in Luke

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Jesus' commission is for all to follow him. Prayer & absence of greed mark life of faithful disciples.

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Discipleship in Acts

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Must provide a bold & courageous witness to Jesus' resurrection while Holy Spirit empowers them to live and speak like Jesus. Must be willing to suffer for the gospel despite being innocent of wrongdoing.

Front 34

Discipleship in John

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Those who believe will provide a bold & courageous witness of Jesus. All disciples must love one another.

Front 35

What source do scholars prefer for information regarding the life of Paul?

Back 35

Paul's own writings.

Front 36

Seven undisputed letters of Paul

Back 36

Romans, 1-2 Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, 1 Thessalonians, Philemon.

Hint 36

R 1-2C G T PP

Front 37

Tarsus

Back 37

Paul born between 5 & 10 CE to Jewish family with Benjaminite lineage in Tarsus, a city in the Roman province of Cicilia in Asia Minor.

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Rabbi Gamaliel

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Paul's teacher of Jewish theology in Jerusalem.

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Jerusalem Council

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Paul & leaders of Jerusalem congregation debated on whether Gentile converts needed to practice the ritualistic customs prescribed in the Torah at around 46-49 CE.

Front 40

Gallio

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Roman senator & brother of famous writer, Seneca. Best known for his impartial judgment of a legal case involving Paul in Corinth (Acts 18:12-17).

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Four main parts of Greco-Roman letters

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Greeting, the prayer/thanksgiving, the body & the closing.

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Paraenetic

Back 42

Ethical materials in the form of brief moral exhortations or lists of virtues & vices.

Front 43

Which letter of Paul is likely the oldest existing Christian document?

Back 43

1 Thessalonians

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Parousia

Back 44

Generally referred to the "presence" or "arrival" of an individual. In New Testament, refers to Jesus's expected return.

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Imminent eschatology

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The idea that Paul expected Christ to return soon.

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Justification

Back 46

Paul turns to Abraham as an illustration of justification through faith as opposed to justification through the law. Abraham was circumcised, but he practiced it only after God deemed him to be righteous. He was declared righteous, or in right covenant relationship with God, he believed & expressed faith in God. Now extended to all who believe.

Front 47

Diatribe

Back 47

Paul gives voice to a series of questions that those who object to his law-free gospel could theoretically raise. This practice of voicing a theoretical opponent's position before stating one's own opinion was a common literary technique in antiquity.

Front 48

Amanuensis

Back 48

Paul dictated his letters to a "secretary", or an amanuensis. Common practice in production of texts in Greco-Roman world.

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Pseudonymity

Back 49

Writing under a "false name". Common practice in philosophical traditions.

Front 50

Household codes

Back 50

Instructive materials that addresses relationships within Greco-Roman household. Found in Colossians and 1 Peter.

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Apocalyptic

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Larger end-time perspective. Early Jewish (& Christians) saw reality in terms of two ages, present age & age to come.

Front 52

The Gospel of Thomas

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Consists of 114 sayings of Jesus.

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Didache

Back 53

Generally recognized as an early church manual that was used to instruct new candidates for a specific community.

Front 54

Allegory

Back 54

A literary narrative in which persons, places, & events are given a symbolic meaning.

Front 55

The Plenary, Verbal Theory

Back 55

Every part of the Bible is equally inspired. The influence of scripture extend beyond mere thought to the very words themselves, down to the very letter. Each word, in the original language, is the exact word God wants to use. The original autographs are completely without error in every area, including theology, history, geography, & science.

Front 56

"Catholic"

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"General" Epistles. For a more "apostolic balance".

Front 57

Nero

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In 64 CE, Nero persecuted Christians in Rome, as scapegoats for a great fire in Rome. Nero, known as the "beast" in Revelation. (666)

Front 58

Domitian

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Domitian targeted Christians for persecutions in 81-96 CE. Was the second beast, the spirit of Nero.

Front 59

Pliny the Younger

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Roman governor of region of Bithynia-Pontus in 110-112 CE, writes to Emperor Trajan to receive counsel about how to examine Christians.

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Trajan

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Trajan's response to Pliny was to 1. pardon those who deny being Christians.

2. not to seek out Christians.

3. prohibit anonymous accusations.

Front 61

What is the genre of Hebrews?

Back 61

Homily, (or sermon) which is characterized primarily by an interplay between exposition of Scripture & exhortation.

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Synkrisis

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Greek word, comparison. Compares subject matter with something already perceived as honorable or positive. E.g. Jesus is greater than angels, which are already positive.

Front 63

James, the brother of Jesus

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Was not a disciple during Jesus' earthly ministry but believed when resurrected Jesus appeared to him.

Became leader of Jerusalem church, & letter of James attributed to him.

Front 64

Paraenesis

Back 64

Emphasis on Christian ethics.

Front 65

Docetism

Back 65

Denied the humanity of Jesus, he only "seemed" to be human.

Front 66

Apocalyptic literature/apocalypse

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Revelatory literature, its' visions & related symbols purport to unveil the future &/or the realm of heaven. These revelations however are intended to connect with & interpret the circumstances of the present in order to give the readers the proper perspective on reality.

Front 67

apokalypsis

Back 67

Greek word for revelation.