Chapter 1

An Overview of the New Testament

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Key Topics/Themes
New Testament: twenty-seven documents Four Gospels A church history Letters An apocalypse Other Christian documents Diversity of early Jesus movement
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What Is the New Testament?

The New Testament as scripture Appreciating the cultural world of the New Testament
A society far different from ours The Jewish world of Jesus: Palestine An agrarian, peasant society Interaction of Palestinian Jewish and Greco-Roman cultures
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The New Testament and the Hebrew Bible

Relationship between the New Testament and the Hebrew Bible The Hebrew Bible as Scripture for early Christians

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Testament and Covenant

The nature of the covenant with Yahweh in the Hebrew Bible The promise of a new covenant (Jer. 31:31) Jesus declaration of a new covenant

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The Septuagint
Written in Alexandria, Egypt Beginning about 250 B.C.E. Legend in the Letter of Aristeas Abbreviation: LXX Standard biblical text for Jews in New Testament period Version most frequently quoted in New Testament
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Language and Literature of the New Testament

Koin Greek New Testament literary forms
Gospel Church history Letters, or epistles Apocalyptic literature Subgenres within New Testament books
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Diversity and Unity in the New Testament Documents

Early Christians ethnically and theologically diverse Gentile Christians Jewish Christians Community of the Gospel of John Pseudonymous works Diverse views toward Roman authority
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Other Early Christian Literature

Struggle for orthodoxy and contents of the New Testament Diverse interpretations of importance of Jesus in Gods plan The Gospel of Thomas

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Scholarly Approaches to the New Testament

Scholarly vs. devotional approaches Development of analytical methods for biblical research Biblical criticism Coordinating critical methodologies and spiritual concerns

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Summary
New Testament
Greek documents Written ca. 50-140 C.E.

Hebrew Bible (Tanak) Other Christian documents Diversity of early Christianity Importance of scholarly analysis
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Abraham 13 Alexandria 11 Apocalpic literature 15 Aramaic 4 Bible 4 Covenant ( testament ) 8 Eschatology 15 Evangelist 13 Fourth Gospel 14 Gnosticism 16 Gospel / The Gospel 13 Hebrew bible old testament 4 Israel 8 James 15 Jesus 2 John 14 Jude 15

Koine 11 Last Supper 10 Messiah 8 Mosaic Covenant 8 Moses 8 Orthodoxy 16 Palestine 4 Passion 14 Paul 11 Pentateuch 8 Promised land 4 Scriptures 3 Septuagint 4 Theology 14 Torah 8 Yahweh 8

Terms

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Chapter 2
How the New Testament Was Formed and Handed Down to Us

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Key Topics/Themes
Many Christian books written during New Testament period (ca. 50-140 C.E.) not accepted into canon Process of canonization Comparison/analysis of manuscripts Development of English translations

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Formation of the Christian Canon

The diverse historical origins of the New Testament books The process of the canonization of New Testament books Marcion and Gnosticism Influence of the Latin Vulgate

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Transmitting the New Testament Texts

Earliest fragments of New Testament manuscripts Earliest complete copies Biblical manuscript production in the time of Constantine I (306-337 C.E.) Problems in manuscript transmission

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Transmitting the New Testament Texts (contd.)

The development of the codex Manuscript types
majuscules (uncials) minuscules

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Assembling a Composite New Testament Text

Important early manuscripts
Codex Sinaiticus Codex Vaticanus Codex Alexandrinus Codex Bezae Other manuscripts/manuscript fragments Quotes from Church fathers
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Assembling a Composite Text (contd.)

Important early manuscripts (continued)
Minuscule manuscripts Translations from Greek into other ancient languages

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Creating a Standard Greek Text

Desiderius Erasmus The Greek New Testament edition Novum Testamentum Graece edition

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English Bible Translations

Early resistance to English translations Early efforts at English Bible translations
The Venerable Bede (ca. 730) John Wycliffe (1384)

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Other Important English Bible Translations

William Tyndale (1525) Coverdale Bible (1535) Great Bible (1539) Bishops Bible (1568) Geneva Bible (1560) King James Bible (1611)
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The King James Bible (Authorized Version)

Commissioned by James I of England A committee effort A masterpiece of English literature Shortcomings of the King James Version

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Some Contemporary English Translations

Revised Standard Version (New Revised Standard Version Jerusalem Bible (New Jerusalem Bible) New English Bible (Revised English Bible) New International Version

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Summary
Canonization process three centuries in length Difficulties in compiling accurate text of the New Testament documents The significance of the work of English Bible translators

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Terms
Alexandria 25 Antioch 25 Apocrypha 26 Apostles 24 Canon 24 Codex 29 Codex sinaiticus 30 Codex vaticanus 30 Constantine 28 Gnosis 26 Gnosticism 26 The great persecution 28 Heresy 32 Latin vulgate 27 Manuscript 27 Marcion 26 Muratorian Canon Protestant reformation Pseudonymity 25 Vulgate 27 25 32

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Chapter 3
The Two Worlds in Which Christianity Originated: Jewish and Greek
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Key Topics/Themes
Early Christianity born within Palestinian Judaism Rapidly expanded into surrounding GrecoRoman world Interpreted by Gentile converts in light of Hellenistic thought and culture Eventually resulted in Christianitys separation from parent religion of Judaism
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The One God, Yahweh

The Shema The divine name The Jewish deitys name in the New Testament

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The Torah
The Mosaic Covenant The purity laws Views of Hebrew Bible authors concerning applicability of Mosaic Covenant Views of New Testament authors concerning applicability of Mosaic Covenant
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The Divine Promises

The promise to Abraham The Hebrew monarchy Attitudes toward the divine promises after the fall of the Hebrew monarchy

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The Jerusalem Temple

History of the Jerusalem Temple Significance of the Temple for devout Jews The Day of Atonement

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The World of Greek Thought and Culture

The impact of Alexander the Great (reigned 336-323 B.C.E.) The Hellenistic period (323 B.C.E.-312 C.E.)
Death of Alexander 323 B.C.E. Conversion of Roman emperor Constantine 312 C.E.

Impact of Greek culture during Hellenistic period

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Greek Philosophy
Socrates, Plato, and the immortal soul
Socrates (ca. 469-399 B.C.E.) Plato (ca. 429-347 B.C.E.) Platos philosophical dualism Impact of Platos thought

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Greek Philosophy (contd.)

Stoicism
Founded by Zeno (ca. 336-263 B.C.E.) The Logos as the divine principle Influence of Stoicism in the Hellenistic world

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Greek Philosophy (contd.)

Epicureanism
Founded by Epicurus (ca. 342-270 B.C.E.) Relationship with atomistic doctrines of Democritus (b. ca. 460 B.C.E.)

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Greek Philosophy (contd.)

Cynicism
Founded by Diogenes of Sinope (ca. 404323 B.C.E.) Antimaterialism Opposition to cultural norms Relationship to lifestyle of Jesus of Nazareth

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Greco-Roman Religion
The twelve Olympians The Hymn to Zeus an image of ancient devotion to the Olympian gods

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Gods Offering Worshipers a Personal Relationship

Asclepius
God of healing arts Worshipped at healing shrines throughout GrecoRoman world

Dionysus
Son of a god and a mortal God of wine making Myth involved Dionysus dying and rising from death
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The Mystery Religions

Orphism Mithraism The Isis Cult (worship of the mother goddess)

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Summary
Christianity anchored in Judaism Developed in society dominated by Hellenistic worldview Competition with wide variety of Hellenistic religions Inevitable parallels between early interpretations of Christianity and other Greco-Roman religions
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Terms
Aaron 54 Abraham 47 Academy of Jamnia 51 Ark of the covenant 47 Bar 65 Caiaphas 49 Canaan 47 Circumcision 44 David 47 anointed 59 Davidic covenant 47 Day of atonement ( Yom Kipper ) 48 Dead sea scrolls 52 Diaspora 47 Essenes 53 Exegesis Flavius Josephus 49 Gamaliel 51 Gemara 50 Gentiles 44 Holy of Holies 47 James 54 Jesus 43 John the Baptist 58 Josephus Flavius 49 Judah 47 Judaism 50 Judas the Galilean 58 Kavod 47 Masoretic Text MT 55 Melchizedek 54 Messiah 58 Mishnah 50 Pharisees 50 Philo Judaeus 54 Pseudepigrapha 56 Purity laws 44 Qumran 54 Rabbi 50 Sabbath 44 Sadducees 49 Scribes 50 Shema 43 Simon 58 Simon bar Kochba 65 Solomon 47 Talmud 50 Temple 47 Torah 44 Yahweh 43 Zealots 58

Chapter 4
The Troubled World into Which Jesus Was Born

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Key Topics/Themes
The division of Alexanders empire after his death The influence of Rome in Palestine

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Alexander and His Successors

The conquests of Alexander The Diadochi: Alexanders successors
The Ptolemies (descendants of Ptolemy I) The Seleucids (descendants of Seleucus)

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Antiochuss Persecution and the Maccabean Revolt

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Palestine and the Hellenistic Kingdoms

The Seleucids gain control of Palestine from the Ptolemies (199 B.C.E.) The rule of Antiochus IV Epiphanes (175-163 B.C.E.)

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The Rule of Antiochus IV Epiphanes (175-163 B.C.E.)

Forced Hellenization upon the Jews Outlawed the traditions of Judaism Made Jerusalem Temple into shrine to Greek god Zeus The martyrdoms endured by the Hasidim (pious ones)

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Torah Loyalism, Martyrdom, and the Reward of Future Life

Torah loyalism and martyrdom in 2 Maccabees Torah loyalism and martyrdom in the Book of Daniel

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The Maccabean Revolt (166142 B.C.E.)

The defiance of Mattathias Judas Maccabeus (the Hammer) Rededication of the Temple, December 164 B.C.E. The Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah) The Hasmonean dynasty (142-40 B.C.E.)
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The Domination of Rome

Roman general Pompey marches on Palestine (63 B.C.E.) Jewish Hasmonean kings reduced to client rulers by Roman power

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The Career of Herod the Great (37-4 B.C.E.)

Herods political expansion Herods building projects
Fortresses (Masada) Port city of Caesarea Refurbishment of Jerusalem Temple

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Herods Successors
Herods three sons
Herod Philip (4 B.C.E.-34 C.E.) Herod Antipas (4 B.C.E.-39 C.E.) Herod Archelaus (4 B.C.E.-6 C.E.)

Judea ruled by procurators after 6 C.E. Other significant descendants

Herod Agrippa I (41-44 B.C.E.) Herod Agrippa II
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The Roman Emperors

Augustus (27-14 C.E.) Tiberius (14-37 C.E.) New Testament attitudes toward Rome
Jesus criticisms of Roman power Key roles of Roman soldiers in Jesus ministry Pauls accommodating stance Revelation: Rome an evil harlot
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Jewish Revolts Against Rome

First revolt (66-73 C.E.)
Incited by Jewish nationalists Crushed by Vespasian and Titus Jerusalem and Temple destroyed (70 C.E.) Chief historical source: Flavius Josephus

The bar Kochba revolt (132-135 C.E.)

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Summary
Jesus life framed by Jewish wars for independence
Maccabean revolt (166-142 B.C.E.) First Jewish revolt (66-73 C.E.) Bar Kochba revolt (132-135 C.E.)

Jesus words and deeds to be interpreted in the context of seething Jewish nationalism
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Alexander the Great 68 Asclepius 75 Cynicism 72 December 25 and the rebirth of the sun 82 Diaspora 47 Dionysus 76 Epicurus 72 Hades 73 Hellenism 69 Hellenistic era 69 Isis 82 Logos 72 Mithras 81 Monotheism 73 Mystery ( mysteria ) religion Olympian religion 75

Orpheus 80 Osiris 83 Philosophy 70 Plato 71 Platonism 70-72 Polytheism 73 Socrates, the gadfly 70 Stoicism and epicureanism Zeus 73 Jupiter 73

Terms

72

80 - 83

Chapter 5
The Diverse World of FirstCentury Judaisms

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Key Topics/Themes
The diversity of first-century Judaism Common beliefs of first-century Jews

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First-century Jewish Diversity

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The Sadducees
Origins of the Sadducees The Sadducees and the Romans Characteristic beliefs of the Sadducees

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The Pharisees
Antagonism toward the Pharisees in the Gospels Strict Torah observance Hillel and Shammai Relationship between the views of Jesus and the Pharisees Gamaliel
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The Academy of Jamnia

The leadership of Yohanan ben Zakkai The development of Judaism at Jamnia

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The Samaritans
The origin of the Samaritans Hostility between Samaritans and Jews Relationships between Samaritans and early Christianity

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The Essenes and the Dead Sea Scrolls

Discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls The Essenes

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The Qumran Community

Origins of the Qumran community Beliefs of the Qumran Essenes

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Qumran Community (contd.)

Contents of the Qumran library (Dead Sea Scrolls)
Books of the Hebrew Bible Pseudepigraphical books Commentaries on biblical books Community documents

Essenes and the New Testament

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The Zealots
Origins of the Zealot movement The role of the Zealots in the Jewish Revolt of 66 C.E.

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The Messiah: First-century Expectations

Jesus failure to meet Jewish messianic expectations Early Christian attempts to counter Jewish skepticism about Jesus messiahship

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Messiah (contd.)
The Royal Covenant of King David
Origins of Messiah theology in reigns of Davidic kings Historical end of the Davidic dynasty

Israels hopes for a new Davidic king

Scriptural promises of a new dynasty The Messiah as political leader
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Messianic Claimants Before and After Jesus

Judas the Galilean The Zealots and the Sicarii Simon bar Giora Simon bar Kochba

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Portrayal of the Messiah in Psalm of Solomon 17

See, Lord, and raise up for them [Israel] their king, the son of David [italics added] to rule over your servant Israel in the time known to you, O God. . . . There will be no unrighteousness among them in his days, for all shall be holy, and their king shall be the Lord Messiah [italics added].

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A Revisionist View of the Messiah

The incompleteness of Jesus earthly mission The necessity of Jesus return as supernatural king

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Summary
The New Testament Jesus explained using variety of Jewish traditions:
Anointed monarch in tradition of David Lawgiver and prophet like Moses Suffering servant Heavenly sacrifice and eternal priest Image of the invisible God Christ (mashiah) as Jesus name, not a title only
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Terms
Alexander the great 86 Antiochus 87 Antipater 90 Augustus 92 Bar kochba 99 Caesar 86 Caesarea Maritima 90 Devil 86 Esdrass Theodicy 100 Feast of Dedication 90 Flavius Josephus 98 Hanukkah 90 Hasidim 89 Hasmonean dynasty 90 Herod Agrippa I 91 II 92 Herod Antipas 91 Herod Archelaus 91 Herod the Great 90 Idumea 90 Judas Maccabeus 90 Judea 87 Maccabees 90 Masada 90 Mattathias 89 Nero 97 Palestine 93 Philip 91 Pontius Pilate 91 Procurators 91 Ptolemaic dynasty 87 Ptolemy I 87 Roman Empire 86 Seleucid dynasty 87 Seleucus 87 Tiberius 93 Titus 97 Vespasian 97 Zealots 98

Chapter 6
The Gospels: Form and Purpose

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Key Topics/Themes
The similarity of the Synoptic Gospels The uniqueness of the Gospel of John The diverse views about Jesus presented in the New Testament Gospels

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Introduction
Similarities between the Synoptic Gospels The uniqueness of the Gospel of John

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The Gospels and Modern Scholarship

Discrepancies between Gospel accounts The Gospel authors selective use of preexisting traditions about Jesus Gospel of John written to provide theological interpretation of Jesus life Difficulty in distinguishing between historical record and theological interpretation in the Gospels
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Assumptions and Approaches

False dilemma about the Bible presented by fundamentalism: either
Bible is completely inerrant and totally accurate factually, or Bible is worthless as source of religious inspiration

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Assumptions and Approaches (contd.)

The value of the historical-critical approach to the Gospels Inability of historical-critical approach to verify Gospels theological claims about Jesus

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The Synoptic Problem

Evidence of the triple tradition
Matthew, Mark, Luke

Evidence of the double tradition

Matthew and Luke

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The Two-Document Theory

MK Q

MT

LK
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From Oral Preaching to Written Gospel

Oral period
Development of the kerygma (proclamation) Growth and adaption of the kerygma in various Christian centers in Mediterranean world

Form criticism
Pericopes Sitz im leben (life-setting)
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The Q (Source) Document

Collection of Jesus sayings Collected ca. 50-70 C.E. Found in Matthew and Luke Portrays Jesus as itinerant prophet and wisdom teacher

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Composition of the Canonical Gospels

Mark the inventor of the Gospel genre Gospel authors
Names of Gospels not original with authors Added years later by early Church

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Matthews Gospel
Sources
Mark Q M Wrote to present Jesus as new Moses Presents Jesus as teacher of the Mosaic Torah
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Lukes Gospel
Sources
Mark Q L

Jesus as turning point in Israels history Jesus brings salvation to Jews and Gentiles Holy Spirit empowers Church to continue Jesus work
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The Griesbach Theory

MT LK MK
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Griesbach Theory (contd.)

Mark a conflation and abridgement of Matthew and Luke William Farmer an important proponent Not accepted by most scholars

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The Gospel of John

Last gospel to attain canonical status Presents Jesus teaching in long, philosophical monologues Venerates Jesus himself rather than his teachings Of doubtful historical value according to many scholars
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Literary Analysis of the Gospels

Gospels studied as literature, with setting, characters, dialog, plot, etc. Redaction criticisim
Authors adapt their source materials for theological purposes Matthew and Luke alter their Markan source
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Narrative Criticism
Emphasis on ways Gospels are constructed Important factors:
Point of view from which story is told Authors implied attitude toward characters or reader Use of geographical details to convey authors intent
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A Composite Portrait of Jesus

Significance of four Gospels rather than one Early Church unwilling to promote single, official version of Gospel story Indicative of great diversity in early Christianity

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Summary
Best to interpret each Gospel as independent work Need to see each Gospels unique contribution to New Testament portrayal of Jesus Unwise to attempt to harmonize accounts Rich diversity of early Christianity
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Terms
Aphorisms 113 Form criticism 118 Fundamentalism 116 Gehenna 120 Historical criticism 117 Kerygma 114 Literary criticism 119 Narrative criticism 120 Parable 113 Pericope 118 Redaction criticism 119 Source criticism 120 Synoptic gospels 111 Synoptic problems 121

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