Nt Introduction Outline

Front 1

What are arguments for the pre-2nd century dates of the titles of the Gospels?

Back 1

1. Papias' quote speaks of Mark's title quoting John the elder, so they existed as early as 90s.
2. Titles would be needed early to distinguish between circulated works.
3. There are no competing titles, as would be expected if they were titled late.

Front 2

What was the content and date of Papias, bishop of Hierapolis' statement regarding Mark's composition?

Back 2

Mark was Peter's interpreter who wrote all he remembered, thought not in order, of the things said by the Lord.

Papias wrote within the first 3 decades of the second century.

Front 3

What was Mark's audience?

Back 3

Gentiles. He explains Jewish customs. Even if he wrote from in Rome, it doesn't mean that he wrote for that particular region. There is no need to argue that each Gospel has a specific location in mind, but rather a general audience.

Front 4

What is the date of Mark?

Back 4

If Luke used Mk and Lk is dated by the end of Acts, then Mark was written before AD 62.

Also, if it is related to Peter's death, as Irenaeus says he wrote after Peter's death. Clement says he wrote before Peter's death. The death of Peter under Nero would be AD 64 to 68.

The best date for Mark's gospel is somewhere between late 50s and early 60s because the date of Luke/Acts has to be around AD 62.

Front 5

What are the major themes in Mark?

Back 5

Christology and Discipleship.
Mark wanted to portray Jesus as the authoritative son of God and as the ultimate model of sacrificial service to God and humanity. Regularly, we see the question, "Who is this?"

Discipleship is how Christology is carried out. Christ's authority is emphasized, then his suffering service is brought to bear on Mark's readers' lives through the discipleship. Submitting to Jesus' authority involves following in Jesus' footsteps in suffering service. Jesus most often talks about discipleship in conjunction with predictions about his death.

Front 6

What dominates the overall structure of Mark's book?

Back 6

The emphasis of discipleship as self-sacrificing service. Jesus did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life. Perhaps Mark wrote to encourage Roman Christians during the time of Nero's persecution.

Front 7

Under Source Criticism: What is the evidence for the literary relationship of the Synoptics?

Back 7

1. Luke 1:1-4
2. High degree of similarity of material.
3. High degree of similarity of the order of pericopes.
4. High degree of similarity in wording.

Front 8

Major theories on the relationship of the three Synoptic Gospels?

Back 8

1. Augustinian Hypothesis: Mt. first, Mark 2nd (using Mt.), Luke 3rd (using Mt. and Mk.).
2. Griesbach Hypothesis: Mt first, then Lk using Mt, then Mk conflated Lk and Mt.
3. Farrer Hypothesis: Mk first, then Matthew used Mark, then Luke used them both.
4. Two source hypothesis: Mk first, then Mt. Later Lk independently used Mk and Q.

Front 9

What is composition criticism?

Back 9

This is where an individual gospel is viewed holistically and individually in its entirety without comparing it to other gospels. Very different than redaction criticism.

Front 10

What is form and tradition criticism?

Back 10

Focus on the origins of the development of the Gospel stories and sayings prior to their inclusion in our written Gospels. They are highly speculative and usually emphasized by skeptical critics.

Front 11

What are two distinct perspectives from Narrative Criticism, which arose in the 1970s?

Back 11

1. Views the text as a whole piece of literature without looking for historical layers or asking historical questions.

2. Investigates the standard formal features of narrative: plot, characters, setting, point of view.

It is different from compositional criticism because of the second feature, focusing on STORY instead of THEOLOGY.

Front 12

What is the genre of the gospels?

Back 12

Ancient biography is not concerned with character development or chronology. But it is hard to find ancient biography like the gospels, because they are designed to give patters to live by or to proclaim praise. They are closer to biographies than to anything else.

Front 13

What are arguments against Papias' explanation of Matthew?

Back 13

Matthew was NOT originally in Hebrew because:
1. Matthew is not translation Greek.
2. The OT quotes are mixed: LXX, original translation of Hebrew, and unclassifiable.
3. Mark was written in Greek. if Matthew used Mark, he presumably wrote in Greek.

Front 14

What are arguments for a Jewish audience for Matthew?

Back 14

1. Emphasis on fulfilling OT.
2. Emphasis on attitude toward the Law.
3. Failure to explain Jewish customs.
4. Accommodation to Jewish concerns. (Eg. Kingdom of Heaven instead of Kingdom of God.)

Front 15

Date of Matthew

Back 15

1. if used Mark, then after Mark.
2. References to AD 70 in the book.

Front 16

Themes in Matthew

Back 16

1. Christology.
2. Fulfillment of OT
3. Attitude toward the Law.
4. Call to better righteousness.
5. Ecclesiology.
6. Mission.
7. Eschatology.

Front 17

Authorship of Luke

Back 17

1. Internal evidence.
A. Not an eye witness. Literate and well-cultured.
B. "We" sections in Acts. Usually start on boats, so he was traveling companion of Paul.
2. External evidence
A. Titles
B. Muratorian Canon AD 170
C. Irenaeus from late 2nd Century. Used "We" sections to argue his companionship with Paul.

Front 18

Dating of Luke

Back 18

Acts ends before Paul's release from Rome. Why end with Paul in Prison?
1. Luke tells all he knew? AD 62.
2. Intended volume 3, but didn't finish?
3. Luke deliberately stopped, though he knew more. So AD 62 is earliest, but not latest possible date.

Presumed use of Mark by Luke.

Possible quote of Luke in I Timothy 5:18. Paul quotes Luke exactly except for the conjunction.

References to fall of Jerusalem. Foreknowledge or past?

Luke-Acts accused of early catholic theology which developed in late 1st Century. Common dates: AD 70-90. Some say around AD 62.

Front 19

Themes in Luke

Back 19

1. Fulfillment of Prophecy.
2. Restoring of Israel and Saving of Gentiles.
3. Saving of outcasts in Jewish society.
4. Divine reversal: low lifted up and high brought down.
5. Material possessions and almsgiving.
6. Prayer.
7. Holy Spirit.

Front 20

Key texts for Luke's thematic emphases

Back 20

Luke 1-2, especially Magnificat and Benedictus.
Rejection at Nazareth.
John's question about Jesus.
Travel narrative.
Resurrection appearances.

Front 21

Parables found only in Luke

Back 21

Two debtors
Good Samaritan
Friend at midnight
Rich fool.
Lost coin
Lost son
Dishonest steward
Rich man and Lazarus
Unjust judge
Pharisee and Tax Collector

Front 22

Text of Acts

Back 22

1. All english translations follow the Alexandrian mss.
2. Western text in Beza (D), old latin, some latin fathers and some papyri are 8.5% longer because of extra details.

Front 23

Structure of Acts

Back 23

1-12 = Peter
13-28 = Paul

1:8 is basis of most other outlines: geographic and religio-ethnic. "Ends of the earth."

Front 24

Speeches in Acts

Back 24

30% of text.
Thucydides is often cited, that historians made up speeches.
Ancients sometimes did make up speeches.
Polybius is critical of any deviation from actual words (2nd cent bc)

Front 25

Luke & Paul

Back 25

1. Problems with Galatians and Acts regarding the trip to Jerusalem.
2. Paul's theology.
a. Attitude toward law.
b. Paul's use of natural theology in Acts 17, compared to Romans 1.
c. Paul's christology in Acts. He says nothing about the atonement except in 20:28.
d. Eschatology in Acts. In Acts, it is a peripheral part of speeches. In Letters, it is a central theme.

Front 26

Paul's Importance

Back 26

Wrote about 25% of NT
Earliest clearly datable writings of the NT.

Front 27

Paul's Chronology

Back 27

-Born first decade AD in Tarsus
- Moved to Jerusalem as young child
- Educated under Gamaliel, a leading Pharisee
- Zealous Pharisee who persecuted Christians.
- Conversion and call in EARLY 30'S near Damascus.
- Arabia for 3 years
- Return to Damascas then Jerusalem
- Barnabas took Paul to Antioch
- Famine relief to Jerusalem
- First Missionary Journey
- Acts 15 council in AD 48 OR 49
- In Corinth on 2nd Journey before Gallio.--Most datable event in Pauline Chronology. So Paul was in Corinth in 50-52.
- Arrest in Jerusalem after 3rd Journey
- Arrived in Rome
- Released in 62
- Died 64-68. (64 = Burning of Rome and Nero's blame of Christians. 68 = death of Nero.)

Issues of conflict:
1. Historicity of Acts
2. Attitude toward Pastorals.
3. Dating of Galatians (affects date of conversion)

Front 28

Paul's Letters

Back 28

1. He adopted common letter form
2. He used amanuenses
3. All of his letters except romans, ephesians, and pastorals have cosenders.
3. Delivered by coworkers who could explain in more detail.
4. His were occasional and ministerial.
a. Not systematic but situational theology.
b. Written to city churches, regions.
c. Addresses specific problems and situations.
d. Benchmarks of Pauline theology include: appeals to crucifixion and resurrection, and Appeals to OT.
e. Disputed letters in order of least to most disputed:
2 Thessalonians
Colossians
Ephesians
Pastorals

Front 29

Chronology of Paul's letters based on early Galatians date:

Back 29

1st Miss J.: Galatians
2nd Miss J.: 1-2 Thess.
3rd Miss J.: 1-2 Cor, Romans
Prison Epistles: Philip, Ephes, Coloss, and Philemon
Pastoral Epistles: I Timothy, Titus, II Timothy

Front 30

Describe the founding of the Thessalonian Church

Back 30

- Acts 17
- Capital of Macedonia; Jewish Colony there.
- Paul visited on 2nd Journey in AD 49.
- He had success with Jews and Godfearers. Majority of converts had probably been pagan (I Thess 1:9)
-Opposition led to flight to Berea after perhaps 3-4 weeks.

Front 31

Describe Date/Occassion of I Thessalonians

Back 31

At Athens Paul sent Timothy to Thessalonica. Timothy returned to Paul at Corinth. Paul writes from Corinth after the report.
- Date c. AD 50 (Dated by Gallio inscription); within months after the church was founded by Paul.
- Timothy's report apparently included causes for rejoicing, charges against Paul, pressures from Jews and pagans, and problems with Parousia expectations.

Front 32

2 Thessalonians Authenticity Debate

Back 32

- The issue was raised by Schmidt in 1798. 2 Thessalonians is the least questioned of Paul's disputed letters.

- Arguments for authenticity:
1. Polycarp Phil. 11:4 and Marcion treat the letter as Pauline.
2. The style and vocabulary are Pauline--although some have argued that 2 Thessalonians contains non-Pauline expressions.

Front 33

What is the order from least to most questioned authenticity of Paul's letters?

Back 33

1. 2 Thessalonians
2. Colossians
3. Ephesians
4. Pastoral Epistles

Front 34

What are the date/occasion for 2 Thessalonians?

Back 34

Date: The presence of Silas indicates a 2nd missionary journey. (Acts does not include Silas on 3rd journey)
- On 2nd Journey, Paul basically went to Syria after leaving Corinth, so 2 Thess was probably written in Corinth, soon after I Thessalonians.

Occasion:
New info about the church had reached Paul. He addresses new issues including the imminence of the parousia, concern over idleness, and a church under trial.

Front 35

City of Corinth

Back 35

Most of Corinth was destroyed in 146 BC, but was rebuilt by Julius Caesar as a Roman colony in 44 BC.
- Capital of Achaia, with a proconsul seat.

Front 36

Origin of the Corinthian Church

Back 36

Acts 18 = 2nd Journey; AD 49 or 50, 18 months before Gallio.

Sylvanus and Timothy joined Paul there.

Front 37

Date of I Corinthians

Back 37

"Previous Letter" referred to, indicating that after Paul left Corinth, but before I Corinthians, Paul sent them a letter.

- Date = Paul was in Ephesus and planned to stay for a while. This must have been from the 3rd journey (Acts 19:1-22).
Dating varies from AD 53-56.

Front 38

Occasion of I Corinthians

Back 38

1. Received a letter with questions from Corinth.
2. Information from the household of Chloe
3. Stephanus, Fortunatus, Achaicus. Probably bearers of the letter who added personal information.

Front 39

Outline of I Corinthians

Back 39

Chapters:
1-4 - Division and Quarreling
5 - Disfellowshipping an incestuous brother
6 - Lawsuits; sexual immorality
7 - Marriage, divorce, singleness
8-10 - Eating meat offered to idols
11 - Veils and the Lord's Supper
12-14 - Spiritual Gifts
15 - Resurrection
16 - Closing Remarks

The unifying strands are 1) life in a pagan society and 2) relationships in the church.

Front 40

What happened between 1 and 2 Corinthians?

Back 40

- A "painful visit" by Paul, perhaps during his 2 yrs at Ephesus.
- A "sorrowful Letter" following the "painful visit."
Major Theories:
1. Traditional view = 1 Corinthians. Problem of theory is that the offense against Paul in the sorrowful letter was personal. I Corinthians addressed many other issues.
2. Lost letter theory. Most widely accepted view today.

Front 41

Can 2 Corinthians 10-13 be separated?

Back 41

1. Basis: Chapters 10-13 are sharp and polemic. There is a mood change between 9 and 10.

Arguments against separation:
1. No manuscript evidence of separation.
2. Polemic features in 1-9 also.
3. Unity of theme in both parts: authority of Paul as an apostle.
4. Difficult to suggest why end of chapter 9 and beginning of chapter 10 would be broken off if they were separate letters.

Some say a lapse of time occurred after chapter 9 and Paul received new information which altered his mood.

Front 42

Place and date of 2 Corinthians

Back 42

Madeconia, soon after I Corinthians was written; thus AD 53-56.

Front 43

Characteristics of Opponents of Paul in 2 Corinthians

Back 43

One group? Probably.

1. They take pay
2. They have letters of recommendation
3. They boast
4. They are proud of Jewish heritage.
5. They openly challenge Paul.
6. They are outsiders.
7. They claim to be apostles.

Note: No doctrinal issues given, although 11:4 does say they preached a different Jesus, Gospel, and Spirit.

Front 44

Origin of the Church in Rome

Back 44

The earliest sure attestation = letter itself and Acts 28:15

Paul indicates he had planned for years to visit the Christians in Rome. This was written in AD 55-58.

Seutonius' Life of Claudius 25.4 states (written about AD 120): "Claudius expelled the Jews from ROme since they had been continually causing disturbances at the instigation of a certain Chrestos." Claudius made this edict around AD 49.

Acts 2:10 = Jews from Rome at Pentecost. Some of these may have carried Christianity to Rome.

The church would have been mixed; and most believe it was predominantly Gentile.

Front 45

The date/place of the Romans letter

Back 45

Paul had just completed the collection in Macedonia and Achaia. Therefore he was probably in Achaia.

In Corinth on 3rd Journey, AD 55-58.

Front 46

What is the purpose of the Romans letter?

Back 46

1. Not systematic theology.
2. Some, Romans is a broad treatment of Paul's themes meant to introduce him to the Roman Church.

3. Others, Paul addresses specific problems in Rome.
3.a. Wiefel and others say the problems are from the return of the Jewish Christians after they were expelled by Claudius in *AD 49*.

After his death a mass movement back to Rome would have occurred in about *AD 54*. Romans addresses the problems of Jewish Christians returning to Rome after several years of absence and Gentile dominance of the house churches.

Front 47

What is the outline of Romans?

Back 47

1:1-15 - Greetings/Thanksgiving
1:16-17 - Theme Statement (justification by faith)
1:18-3:20 - Gentiles and Jews need Justification by faith.
3:21-4:25 - Nature of God's saving acts in Christ
5:1-8:39 - Presentation of a new life in Christ
9:1-11:36 - Place of Israel in salvation history
12-15:13 - Relationships to fellow Christians & to state
15:14-16:27 - Concluding remarks

Front 48

Traditional view of the purpose of Romans

Back 48

'Compendium of the Christian religion' = A Compendium is a comprehensive brief book account of a subject.

Romans was not aimed at circumstances within a certain congregation.

Front 49

Probable historical background of the Romans letter

Back 49

Paul meets a Jew named Aquila who had recently come from Italy because of Claudius' edict in AD 49. Jewish Christians would be able to return in AD 54 after Claudius' death, and found strong Gentile leadership in churches. This would mean acceleration away from Jewish origins.

A New View:
The key factor leading to turmoil in Rome would be the polarized house-churches. A major contributing factor to this polarization would be the varying degrees of Christian attachment to Judaism and the attitudes which such dependence/independence fostered among the various groups toward each other.

Front 50

Basic info about the Prison Epistles as a group

Back 50

Philippians, Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon (PECP)

All written from prison.

Links of Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon:
Col 4 and Eph 6 = Tychicus was the carrier
Col 4 and Philemon = Onesimus was the returning slave.

Front 51

Christ Hymn in Philippians 2

Back 51

Weiss was the first to identify this as a poem.
1. Theory is Paul wrote it (Fee and others, exalted prose)
2. Paul borrowed it (most popular view)

Front 52

The Date/Imprisonment times of Paul relevant to Philippians

Back 52

Paul in prison, viewing the possibility of release positively.
Only 3 prison occurrences in Acts:
Philippi = too short
Caesarea = 2 years
Rome = 2 years

A. Roman imprisonment: Traditional view is that all letters are from Rome around AD 60-62.

B. Caesarean imprisonment:
- Proposed by Paulus in 1799
- Stayed there 2 years, roughly 58-60

Ephesian imprisonment:
- Proposed by Deissmann in 1897.

It would have occurred during the 3rd journey, c. AD 53-56

Problems:
1. Luke is present with Paul according to Col 4:14 and Philem 24, but the "we" sections in Acts indicate Luke was not with Paul in Ephesus.
2. No clear evidence of the Ephesian imprisonment.

There is little difference between Caesarea and Rome; if in Ephesus the Chronology of Paul's letters is altered.

Front 53

Occasion of Philippians

Back 53

Recent gift received via Epaphroditus who is returning to Philippi. Thanks given for the gift, warning against false teachers given, encouragement for unity given. There is a good relationship between Paul and the church.

Front 54

What are the objections to the authenticity of Colossians?

Back 54

Mayerhoff first disputed it in 1838.

1. The vocabulary and sentence structure differ too much from the undisputed Pauline books. Some argue based on counting words, looking for uncommon words. But this is not useful, because circumstances would dictate content, and therefore words used. It is also possible a secretary could have influenced the style of a letter.

Front 55

What are the arguments FOR the authenticity of Colossians?

Back 55

Early tradition: Marcion's canon; probable allusions by Justin.
2. Interconnections with Philemon: Onesimus, Archippus, Ephaphras, Aristarchus, Mark, Luke, Demas.

Front 56

Origin of the church in Colossae

Back 56

It is in Phrygia, east of Ephesus. The smallest of the Lycus River valley towns. Not founded or visited by Paul.

Epaphras = founder? Trained by Paul at Ephesus?

Gentile predominance

Jewish element?

Front 57

Occasion of Colossians Letter

Back 57

Epaphras has reported on the church. The major problem is the false teachers. The description of the teachers is enigmatic, though it involves philosophy, traditions, holy days, food and drink regulations, worship of angels, and vision.

The two major options are:
1. based on hellenistic pagan religions combined with some jewish elements or
2. based in a special type of judaism which involved ascetic and mystical ideas.

Front 58

Place and date of Colossians letter

Back 58

While Paul was in prison; tied to Philemon and Ephesians. Luke's presence wth paul is vs. Ephesus (according to "we" sections in Acts) and thus favors Caesarea or Rome.

Front 59

What is the outline of Colossians?

Back 59

1:1-14 - Greetings and Prayer
1:15-2:5 - Superiority of Christ
2:6-23 - Superiority of Christ vs. false teachers
3:1-4:6 - Superiority of Christ applied to everyday living.
4:7-18 - Concluding Remarks

Front 60

Who were the recipients of Philemon?

Back 60

Philemon, Apphia, and Archippus

Front 61

What was the occasion of Philemon?

Back 61

Onesimus, slave of Philemon is returning
Primary purpose: receive him as a brother
Secondary purpose: send him back to Paul as worker.

Onesimus is identified as a Colossian.

Front 62

What is the evidence favoring Ephesus as the destination of the letter we call "Ephesians"?

Back 62

1. "to the Ephesians" All Greek manuscripts beginning with P46 (c. AD 200) have this as the title.
2. 1:1 - In "Ephesus" All ancient versions, some Greek manuscripts from the 4/5th C, and many church fathers as early as the 4th C support this reading.

3. There is a strong tradition beginning in the late 2nd century.

Front 63

What is problematic about Ephesus being the recipient of Ephesians?

Back 63

1. All titles are secondary.
2. 1:1 - "In Ephesus" is not in P46 original (though the title is) nor in Vaticanus or Siniaticus, which are the 3 main manuscripts. These words were not in the text used by Marcion, who said it was written to Laodicea or Tertullian, who argues against Marcion, but doesn't quote 1:1. Would scribes add or omit this? Most likely, add it.

3. The evidence of the fathers is all late 2nd or early 3rd century. Marcion, in the first half of the 2nd century, said the book was written "to the Laodiceans."

Front 64

Objections to Pauline authorship of Ephesians

Back 64

1. Too general and implies lack of acquaintance.
2. Linguistic and stylistic differences from the undisputed Pauline letters.
3. Supposed dependence on Colossians. Over 1/3 of Col. is paralleled in Eph.

Front 65

Arguments favoring Pauline authorship of Ephesians

Back 65

1. Self claims of the letter
2. Early tradition
3. Much style, language, and structure is like Paul.

Front 66

Date of Ephesians

Back 66

Paul was in prison, and Tychicus links Ephesians to Colossians.

Front 67

Purpose and outline of Ephesians

Back 67

Purpose: to encourage recent converts from pagan backgrounds to live faithfully in pagan society.

1:1-2 Greeting
1:3-3:21 The Blessings Received in Christ
4:1-6:20 Living WOrthily of those blessings
6:21-24 - Concluding Remarks

Front 68

Views of Paul's relationship to the Pastorals

Back 68

A. Dictation Theory: Paul is author by dictation
B. Secretary theory: Paul is author, but gave a major role to his secretary. Problem is that frequent indications are in the letters that there are breaks in spoken work. They seem dictated.
C. Fragmentation Theory
D. Pseudonym theory. No relation to Paul, other than written by a follower of Paul.
Objections: a. Why 3 and not 1 letter? b. This theory does not account for genuine historical allusions, pauline style, and pauline theology.

Front 69

Objections to the authenticity of the Pastorals

Back 69

a. language and style differ from Paul's other books
b. The presumed historical situations do not fit well into Acts or the other Pauline letters.
c. The tradition favoring Paul as author is weaker than for the rest of the Pauline literature.

Front 70

Date/Place of I Timothy

Back 70

After 1st Roman imprisonment (AD 62) and probably from Macedonia. Written to help Timothy control the false teachers at Ephesus.

Front 71

Date and Purpose of Titus

Back 71

Between Paul's two Roman imprisonments.

To help Titus oppose false teaching at Crete and to encourage behavior that is appealing to outsiders.

Front 72

False teachers in Crete that opposed Titus

Back 72

1. From Circumcision group
2. Believe in Jewish myths
3. Believe in stupid controversies and genealogies
4. Interested in the law
5. greedy
6. Godless

Front 73

Date/Place/Purpose of 2 Timothy

Back 73

Paul's second and last Roman imprisonment (c. 64-68).

To encourage Timothy to persevere and combat false teaching, and to summon him to Paul's side in Rome.

Front 74

Authorship of John

Back 74

Internal Evidence
1. Anonymous
2. *21:24* Does this mean beloved disciple was the author?
3. Who is the beloved disciple?

External Evidence
1. Irenaeus says that John published his Gospel at Ephesus, where he lived until the time of Trajan (AD 98-117). Eusebius cites Irenaeus's letter to Florinus in which Irenaeus says he heard Polycarp talk about his personal acquaintance with John the apostle.

Arguments vs. John the apostle as author
1. The crucial issue is the debate over the historicity of John's account.
2. Some doubt because of the possible confusion in late 2nd C concerning John the apostle, John the prophet, John the eler, and others.

Also:
Redaction theory: Perhaps by other than the apostle. A redactor rearranged the book possibly, some claim any place where there is a break in the flow or tension.

Front 75

Structure of John

Back 75

1:1-18 - Prologue
1:19-12 - Public Ministry (Book of signs)
13-20 - Passion and Resurrection (Book of glory)
21 - Epilogue

Front 76

Purpose of John

Back 76

1. *20:30-31* "Written that you may believe." Many things done, but not written down!

Theories that go beyond or for some scholars replace 20:30-31:
1. Polemic against Gnosticism
2. Polemic against a John the Baptist group.
3. Polemic against Jewish attacks. Guys who believe this think Ch 9 is anachronistic.

Front 77

Major Themes in John

Back 77

1. Christology. Preexistence, deity, incarnation. Character and power of God in Christ.
2. Faith. Verb "Believe" is used 100x in the book.
3. Eternal Life
4. Holy Spirit

Front 78

Date of John's Gospel

Back 78

Latest date: p52 is perhaps before 150 AD.

Earliest date, if we accept Irenaeus's view that John wrote in Ephesus, then it would have to be after John went to Ephesus. Paul was there on 3rd Journey in mid 50s, so it is unlikely that John would be there when Paul wrote to Timothy in mid-60's. Therefore late 60s is earliest possibility.

Other data: Some argue ch 9 and other texts imply John wrote after expulsion of Christians from synagogue. Daily curse against Christians was added in Jewish prayers in AD 85.

Some argue that 21:18-23 indicates John wrote after Peter's death and after John had lived a long time.

Front 79

Place of John's gospel

Back 79

If we accept Irenaeus, Ephesus was the location.

Front 80

5 Ways John's Gospel differs from the Synoptics

Back 80

1. Geography: John has 3 or more trips to Jerusalem, and most events occur in Jerusalem.

2. Chronology: John has 3 passovers, a cleansing of the temple early in Jesus' ministry, and John appears to suggest the crucifixion took place on the day the lambs were slaughtered for the passover meal.

3. John omits Jesus' baptism, the temptations, peter's confession at Caesarea Philippi, and the inauguration of the Lord's Supper. He omits all exorcism, all of what modern interpreters call parables, and he only has 7 signs (other than the resurrection).

4. In John Jesus makes bold messianic claims, speaks in long discourses, and emphasizes different things than in the synoptics (eternal life over the kingdom of God; light, glory, truth, knowledge, etc.)

5. John is explicit about Jesus' pre-existence and deity.

Front 81

Five ways to bridge the gap between John and the Synoptics

Back 81

1. attempt to harmonize the chronology, geography, etc.
2. emphasize the versatility of a great teacher
3. emphasize different audiences for Jesus' teaching
4. defend the legitimacy of John paraphrasing Jesus' speech and other items in a looser way than the synoptics. Some appeal to Clement of Alexandria that John was a "spiritual" gospel.
5. with respect to high christology, point out that John also emphasizes the humanity of Jesus, and his submission to the Father.

Front 82

Authorship of the Epistles of John

Back 82

A. Internal Evidence
1 John is anonymous, but 1:1-4 suggests an eyewitness.
2-3 John identifies the author as 'the elder'.

B. External Evidence
1 John
-Papias, according to Eusebius, "used testimonies drawn from the former epistle of John."
-Irenaeus, Clement of Alexandrea, Tertullian, and the Muratorian Canon all say John the Apostle.

2 John
Irenaeus = John the Apostle
Muratorian canon = 2 epistles of John mentioned, and quotes 1 John.

2-3 John
-Origen says some disputed whether 2 and 3 John were genuine.
Dionysius knew of a "reputed 2nd or 3rd epistle of John"
Eusebius (300s) 2 and 3 John were disputed but accepted by most.
Jerome = (Late 4th c) some attributed 2 and 3 John to John the elder, not the apostle.

C. The vocabulary, style, and concepts in the epistles and the gospels are similar and suggest common authorship.

Front 83

Order of John's writings

Back 83

Traditional order may be incorrect. I John may be placed first because it is the longest. Most say the gospel is before the epistles in date. The epistle order varies in contemporary scholarship.

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Occasion/Purpose of I John

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Struggle in church with opponents who were once part of the church.
False teachers:
A. Christology problem. Deny Jesus is Christ. Usually thought to indicate gnostic docetism.
B. Ethical problem. Immoral, probably antinomians.

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Occasion/Purpose of II John

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Also against docetic type teachers. This time to advise against helping them.

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Occasion/Purpose of III John

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Topical by paragraph

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Audiences of I, II, and III John

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I John
A church or regional group of churches troubled by false teachers. Usually thought to be near Ephesus.

II John
Elect lady and her children. Thought to be a church and its members.

III John
Gaius, a common name.

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Dates of John's Epistles

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Little evidence. Thought to be after Gospel. If they refer to gnosticism, the later the better, possibly in 90s.

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Structure of I John

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Difficult! No continuous argument. Perhaps like a spiral.

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Roots of the concept of canon within the NT

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1. OT provided a model for the idea of canon

2. Sources of authority that could lead to NT books being treated as canonical

A. Word of the Lord/teachings of Jesus
B. Holy spirit
C. Apostles and other inspired teachers.

3. Evidence within the NT of a collection of books

A. Paul commands two of his letters to be exchanged.
B. *2 Peter 3:15-16* Refers to Paul's letters as scripture.
C. *I Timothy 5:18* apparently quotes Luke 10:7 as scripture.

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Early evidence outside of the NT for the canon

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There are two issues in these references: which NT books are known, and what authority is attributed to them.

A. For Paul and Hebrews:
Marcion--c. 140--made the first closed collection with 10 Pauline letters (no pastorals) plus Luke.
**Thus there is evidence of a collection in the early 2nd century.

For other books: 1 John, 1&2 Peter, Revelation, Acts.

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Late 2nd Century/Early 3rd Century evidence for the canon of the NT

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Tatian c. 170
Melito of Sardis - c. 170
Irenaeus c. 180-200
Muratorian Fragment--probably late 2nd century --in Latin-- Contains 22 of our 27 NT books. Omits Hebrews, 1-2 Peter, 3 John, James
Tertullian - c. 160-225
Clement of Alexandria c. 150-215
Hippolytus - wrote c. 200-235
p46 - Chester Beatty Papyri - 200 +/- 20 yrs.

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From Origen to Athanasius, discuss the views of the canon

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Origin c 185-254
Dionysius - c. 250 --bishop of Alexandria-- Attacked Revelation as not by author of John and I John.

*Eusebius of Caesarea - c. 303 - Categorized list
Uncontested: 4 gospels, 14 pauline letters, acts, I peter, I John, and "if one will", Revelation.
Disputed but generally accepted: James, Jude, 2 Peter, 2-3 John.
Disputed and Spurious: Acts of Paul, Apocalypse of Peter, Hermas, Barnabas, Didache, and if one will, Revelation, and for some, Gospel of Heb.

Athanasius 39th Easter Festival letter in *367* Exact 27 books of our canon + cannot add or take away. First to use the word "canon" to refer to a compiled collection of NT books. Marked beginning of end of canonical debates.

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After Athanasius, views of the canon

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The syrian, coptic, and ethiopian churches had different cannon histories.

Luther reopened the question about canon. hebrews, James, Jude, and Revelation were awarded inferior, but canonical status at the end of Luther's translation. The core of the canon was Paul's epistles. No one wanted to change the number of books included, but Luther generated movement within the 27.

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Criteria for the canon from the 2nd to 4th centuries

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1. Apostolicity - Attributed to an apostle or close associate. The main criterion.
2. Ecclesiastical usage: recognized by the leading churches or the majority of churches.
3. Orthodoxy: congruent with orthodox doctrine, which was taught by the major churches.

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Info about Muratorian Fragment (170 AD)

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It is the oldest known list of NT books, discovered in 1740 in the Ambrosian Library in Milan, in a 7th century manuscript. The beginning is missing. It is dated to 170 because its author refers to the episcopate of Pius I of Rome (died 157) as recent. He mentions 2 epistles of John without describing them. Apocalypse of Peter is mentioned as a book "some of us will not allow to be read in church."

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332 BC

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Willing submission by Jews to Alexander the Great & increased Hellenization

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167 BC

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Antiochus IV destroys Jerusalem walls, defiles the temple w/ Dionysus worship, commands Torah burning.

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63 BC

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Pompey takes Jerusalem for Rome and defiles the temple. He goes into the holy of holies, but it was empty.

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AD 64

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Nero blames fires in Rome on Christians and begins persecution, which also causes the Christians and Jews to separate more.

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AD 70

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Titus, son of Vespasian takes Jerusalem and destroys the Temple. This also dissolves the Sanhedrin, so there is no more unity center.

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List the Significant Emperors

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Tiberius (AD 14-37): During Time of Jesus

Claudius (AD 41-54): Appoints Gallio in 51 -> dating Paul. Deals with Jewish problem headed by Philo. Claudius expels Jews from Rome in AD 49.

Nero (AD 54-68): Christians persecution after fires in Rome (AD 64)

Domitian (AD 81-96): Persecuted Christians & Revelation written. Persecution ended with Jude's Grandsons, as he despised them, but did not see fit to put them to death (Jesus' Grand Nephews).

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List the Judaism Parties and Sects

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Pharisees
Scribes
Sadducees
Essenes
Zealots
Therapeuae
Samaritans

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Describe Pharisees

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Torah & Tradition
Fate & Free Will

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Describe Scribes

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Official interpreters of the Torah

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Describe Sadducees

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Torah only, human freedom, no resurrection

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Describe Essenes

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Fate, Qumran, Separatist

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Describe Zealots

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They don't pay taxes, and they rebel against Rome.

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Describe Therapeutae

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Similar to the monastic order.

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Describe Samaritans

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Torah only, Mt. Gerazim Temple

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3 Foundational Jewish Beliefs

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1. One God
2. Israel Chosen People
3. Torah is a special revelation to live faithfully

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List the types of Jewish Literature

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LXX: Septuagint = Greek Torah Translation
Apocrypha: Deutero canonical Catholic books.
Pseudepigrapha: Catch all for Jewish lit
Dead Sea Scrolls: Qumran
Philo (30BC-AD50): OT Commentary, Jew Apologist, Philosopher.
Josephus (37-110 AD): Pharisaic historian of 1st century Judaism.

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Types of Rabbinic Literature

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Mishnah: Compilation of Oral Law
Talmud: Commentary on Mishnah
Midrash: Exposition of Scripture
Targum: Aramaic paraphrase of Scripture.

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8 Concerns of Gnostics

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1. Problem of evil
2. Sense of alienation from the world
3. Desire special, intimate knowledge
4. Dualism: material and spiritual world
5. Cosmology
6. Anthropology: pneumatics, psychic, hylic
7. Radically realized eschatology: inner kingdom
8. Ethical: Free from moral law

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Features that followed Alexander's conquests

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1. Movement of Greeks abroad
2. hellenization: penetrating Greek culture
3. 1 world economy
4. Spread of Greek language
5. Greek ideas acceptable by all
6. Higher level of education
7. Spread of Greek deities
8. Philosophy as a way of life
9. Life centered around polis/city.
10 Increased individualism.

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General Characteristics of Religion in Hellenistic-Roman Times

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1. Non-exclusive
2. blending together of deities
3. worship of power
4. deification of virtues
5. monotheism = subordination/heirarchy
6. demonizing of religion = spirits b/w Gods 7 humans.
7. Fate
8. Astrology
9. Magic
10. Corporate religion
11. Closen relationships in church
12. Morality not past of religion.