INTERPRETING THE NEW TESTAMENT

Dr. Stanglin

 

A. Two ways to categorize the content of the NT

            1. Periods

 

            2. Genre

                        a. Narrative

                        b. Letters

                        c. Apocalyptic

 

B. Exegesis- what the text meant

 

            1. Textual criticism- a.k.a. “lower” criticism

                        a. Types of copying errors

                                    -Unintentional

                                    -Intentional

                        b. Principles of textual criticism

                        c. Check footnotes of modern translations

 

            2. Translation

                        a. Literal vs. dynamic

                        b. Compare translations to assure accuracy

 

            3. Language and grammar analysis

 

            4. Contextual analysis- “a text without a context is a pretext”

 

            5. Historical and cultural analysis

                        -Archaeology

 

            6. Secondary analysis

 

C. Hermeneutics- what the text means

           

            1. Occasionality- all Scripture is occasional

 

            2. Theology of inspiration- all Scripture is God-breathed

                        -“Word of God” analogy

 

            3. Divine intention and meaning

 

            4. Theology

 

            5. Application

                        a. Command – Example – Inference

                        b. Text à                     à Today

 

 

NEW TESTAMENT – DR. STANGLIN

 

The Story of the Bible

The Bible is the story of God with his people. 

  1. God. 
  2. Creation.  Creation is God’s first act of grace. 
  3. Fall.  In the fallen world, we learn dependence on God in the wilderness.  Here and left on our own, illness, and even life, tend toward death.
  4. Re-Creation.  In Jesus Christ, the eschatological kingdom (reign) is present.  Jesus’ death and resurrection mean atonement for sin. 
  5. Eschaton.

 

NT World

            The Christian Faith in the 1st cent. had to confront not just one world, but several: esp. Jewish, Greek, and Roman.

 

Greco-Roman/Jewish

A. Socio-Political Backgrounds

The Jewish State. 

 

Hellenistic Kdoms.

            Alexander’s territories were divided among his 4 generals: Ptolemy, Antigonus, Lysimachus, and Cassander.

            Seleucid dynasty ruled Syria and fought Egyptian Ptolemies for Palestine.  Seleucid ruler, Antiochus IV Epiphanes was regarded by his contemporaries as crazy (Epimanes).  Ca. 168 BC, Mattathias and his sons revolted against him.    Feast of lights (Hannukah). 

 

The Roman Empire.

Augustus, Tiberius, Claudius, Nero, Vespasian, Domitian

 

Provincial Government. 

 

Jewish Culture.

            Who ruled as a vassal king over Judea when Jesus was born?  Another crazy guy.  Had some wives and many sons executed.  His three remaining sons each wanted to be sole ruler, but the Roman emperor divided Palestine among them. 

In AD 66, the Jewish revolt began that led to the destruction of the temple in AD 70.

 

The Social World. 

            Language.  Greek was the dominant language of the Roman Empire in the 1st cent. 

            The ancient Mediterranean world was characterized more by its corporate personality than our rugged individualism.  This corporate personality extended to the past, too. 

 

The Economic World. 

 

B. The Religious World

 

            BC/AD.

 

The Greco-Roman Pantheon.  Each culture had its own gods.  So who is the chief God in Greek mythology?  There was a fusion of Greek and Roman deities.  The traditional mythology was still strong in three areas of life.  1) In rural and isolated areas.  2) The gods were still consulted and believed to appear at healing shrines.  3) Seasonal festivals and temple rituals still persisted.

 

The Mystery Religions.  Mystery cults offered cleansing from sin, security from evil forces, and immortality.

 

Philosophies.  Systems of philosophy reflected basic attitudes toward life, as still today. 

            Gnosticism was a philosophy that promised salvation by secret knowledge.  Syncretism- mixing religions into one.  Can you think of any syncretistic religions today?  2nd cent. church was plagued by a Christian form of Gnosticism.

            Contrary to these philosophies, the scandal of Christianity lay in its claim to represent the single truth about God, concretely revealed in history.

 

Jewish Religion.

            Judaism’s monotheism and morality stood in sharp contrast to other religions.

 

Synagogue.  The nature and order of worship in the synagogue was influential in the worship of the early church. 

 

Sacred Calendar. 

            Sabbath.  Saturday.

            Passover.  What did the Passover celebrate?  Barley harvest.  Last Supper.

            Pentecost/Feast of Weeks.  Wheat harvest.

            Feast of Tabernacles/Booths.   

            Feast of Lights/Dedication.  Hannukah. 

            Purim. 

            Day of Atonement/Yom Kippur.  Two goats were brought.  The high priest took the blood of one into the Holy of Holies.  The other goat was taken outside the camp and given to Azazel.  What do you think the mood was like on the Day of Atonement?  Book of Hebrews.

 

Literature.  (see power point)

Sects of Judaism.

            a. Pharisees.  What impression do you have of the Pharisees? 

b. Sadducees.  Only accepted Pentateuch. 

            c. Essenes.  Who are the Essenes usually identified with? 

            d. Zealots.  Fanatical nationalists who advocated violence to overthrow Rome. 

            e. Samaritans.  Origin? 

 

Diaspora. 

 

 

 

New Testament (NT)

QUIZ 1—STUDY GUIDE

 

1. What are the three main chronological periods of the NT (names and dates)?

 

2. What are the three main genres of the NT?

 

3. Why study the Bible?

 

4. What is the goal of exegesis?

 

5. The discipline of textual criticism seeks to answer what question?

 

6. What is another name for the discipline of textual criticism?

 

7. How many Greek manuscripts containing parts of the NT have been discovered?

 

8. Describe ways that a scribe might unintentionally alter a manuscript text.

 

9. When comparing variant readings, what do text critics often prefer?

 

10. What collection contains the oldest surviving copies of the OT?

 

11. The oldest surviving portion of the NT comes from what book?

 

12. What are the three original biblical languages?

 

13. What is the goal of a good Bible translation?

 

14. What is the difference between a literal and dynamic translation?

 

15. Where can you find out about a certain translation’s specific goals?

 

16. If you don’t know the original languages, what is the best way to study in depth?

 

17. What tool lists places where a certain word is found in the Bible?

 

18. Explain the importance of context.

 

19. How can archaeology help biblical exegesis?

 

20. What is the goal of hermeneutics?

 

21. Explain the “occasionality” of the NT.

 

22. Review the two chapters from Witherington.

 

 

NT

QUIZ 2—STUDY GUIDE

 

Study the reading, “Brief Historical Background to the New Testament.”

 

From lecture:

1. During the NT period, who ruled the Mediterranean world?

 

2. In correct order, name the six most important Roman emperors of the first century.

 

3. Who was emperor when Jesus was born?

 

4. Who was emperor when Jesus was crucified?

 

5. Which early Christian leaders were martyred at Rome?

 

6. Who completed the destruction of the Jerusalem temple in AD 70?

 

7. Under which emperor was the book of Revelation written?

 

8. Which Greek general conquered the known world as far east as the Indus River?

 

9. What language was dominant in the 1st century Roman Empire?

 

10. What does Pax Romana mean?

 

11. In what three areas of life were the traditional gods still dominant?

 

12. What did the mystery cults offer people?

 

13. What is magic?

 

14. What philosophy offered salvation by secret knowledge?

 

15. What did the Epicureans believe?

 

16. What did the Stoics believe?

 

17. What animal are the Cynics named after?

 

18. Which ancient near eastern king first conquered Jerusalem and destroyed Solomon’s original temple?

 

19. Who was the vassal king over Palestine when Jesus was born?

 

20. Which Jewish sect controlled the high priesthood and Sanhedrin?

 

21. What were the two foci of early Jewish national life?

 

22. What worship institution arose in the Jewish dispersion and absence of the temple?

 

23. What is the NT name for the Jewish Feast of Weeks?

 

24. What is another name for the Feast of Lights?

 

25. What is the translation of Yom Kippur?

 

26. What is the Apocrypha?

 

27. What Jewish sect only accepted the Pentateuch?

 

28. The Essenes are often associated with what location?

 

29. What was the purpose of the Essenes’ strict separatism?

 

30. What Jewish group advocated violence to overthrow the Romans?

 

 

 

REVIEW – TEST 1

Matthew, Mark, and Luke

 

Memory verses: Mt. 22:37-40; 28:18-20; Mk. 8:36-37; 10:45; Lk. 2:52; 4:16-19.

 

1. What is the significance of “mountain” in Matthew?

 

2. Give examples of Jesus’ conflict with Jewish leaders.

 

3. Be familiar with the Beatitudes.

 

4. What is the significance of the law in Matthew?

 

5. What are the antitheses?

 

6. What acts of piety does Jesus talk about in Mt. 6?

 

7. What is the theme of Matthew?

 

8. What is the full name of the traditional author of Mark? 

 

9. What can be known about the author from the book itself?

 

10. In what scene does Mark possibly appear within the book?

 

11. What can be known about him from the rest of the NT?

 

12. How are the disciples portrayed in Mark?

 

13. What is the “Messianic secret?”

 

14. In Mark 8-10, what metaphor is used to signify saving faith?

 

15. What is the threefold pattern we discussed based on the Mark 8-10 narrative?

 

16. Why were the disciples amazed that it would be hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom?

 

17. Which disciples wanted Jesus’ guarantee that they would sit at his right and left hand?

 

18. How do you make sense of the short ending of Mark 16?

 

19. What information can be gleaned from Lk. 1:1-4?

 

20. How did Luke get his information?

 

21. Who was Luke’s apostolic companion in Acts, mentioned also in this person’s letters?

 

22. To whom did Luke write?

 

23. What stories in Luke 1-2 are unique to this gospel?

 

24. Whom do the sons represent in the parable of the prodigal son?

 

25. What are some important theological themes in Luke?

 

26. What is the theological significance of Jesus’ death?

 

 

REVIEW – TEST 2

JOHN – ACTS

 

Memory verses: Jn. 1:1-5; 20:30-31; Acts 2:38-39; 22:16.

 

1. What is different about the gospel of John?

 

2. What is the purpose of John?

 

3. What is the function of John the Baptist in the fourth gospel?

 

4. What is eternal life?

 

5. What is knowledge of God?

 

6. What is Christology?

 

7. Describe the relationship between Father, Son, and Spirit according to John.

 

8. From whom does the Son derive his authority?

 

9. What is the significance of unity for Jesus’ followers?

 

10. Name some non-Christian, 1st century writers who wrote about Jesus.

 

11. What is Jesus’ best known teaching method?

 

12. What are some characteristics of modern biblical studies?

 

13. What brought change in the disciples after Jesus’ death?

 

14. How does Acts serve as a bridge between the gospels and epistles?

 

15. Who brings restoration to God’s people?

 

16. What can be known about tongues from Acts 2?

 

17. Who are the Samaritans?

 

18. Who was Saul?  A.k.a.?

 

19. Be familiar with the missionary journeys.

 

20. What was the decision at the Jerusalem conference?

 

21. Why was Paul imprisoned in Jerusalem and then taken to Rome?

 

 

REVIEW – TEST 3

ROMANS – 1 THESSALONIANS

 

Memory verses.  Rom. 6:23; 1 Cor. 6:19-20; 2 Cor. 5:21; Gal. 2:20; Eph. 4:11-16; Phil. 2:3-11; Col. 1:15-20.

 

1. What is an amanuensis?

 

2. Describe the genre of the epistles.

 

3. How does Paul describe people outside of Christ?

 

4. Know the background of the book of Romans.

 

5. What groups are in conflict within the Roman church?

 

6. What does Paul say about this conflict in Romans 9-11?

 

7. What was the main problem in the Corinthian church?

 

8. What was the source of most of the problems in the Corinthian church?

 

9. Know the chapter topics in 1 Corinthians.

 

10. How does 1:18–2:5 fit into the overall purpose of 1 Corinthians?

 

11. When was 2 Corinthians written?

 

12. How do you explain the change of tone beginning in 2 Corinthians 10?

 

13. What is the “gospel” in Galatians?

 

14. What is Paul’s emphasis in Galatians?

 

15. What was the issue for Paul’s opponents in Galatia?

 

16. With whom was the covenant of circumcision first made?

 

17. Know the chapter topics in Ephesians.

 

18. What key word does Paul use in Philippians to describe their attitude of unity?

 

19. Describe Paul’s opponents in Colossae.

 

20. What kind of rules did they stress?

 

21. Who is Philemon’s runaway slave?

 

22. When did Paul write 1-2 Thessalonians?

 

23. How does Paul emphasize pastoral care in 1 Thessalonians?

 

 

REVIEW – TEST 4 (FINAL)

1 THESSALONIANS – REVELATION

 

Memory verses.  1 Tim. 4:12; Tit. 2:11-14; Heb. 2:14-15; Js. 4:17; 1 Pet. 1:22-25; 2 Pet. 3:8-10; 1 Jn. 1:6-9; 2 Jn. 9; Jude 3; Rev. 6:9-11

 

1. When did Paul write 1-2 Thessalonians?

 

2. How does Paul emphasize pastoral care in 1 Thessalonians?

 

3. How was Paul a challenging example to the lazy ones?

 

4. Why does Paul talk about eschatology in 1-2 Thessalonians?

 

5. When was 1 Timothy written?

 

6. What book did Paul write last?

 

7. What is the main concern of 2 Timothy?

 

8. The qualifications of elders are contrasted with whom?

 

9. Describe the supposed dichotomy between orthodoxy and orthopraxy, and how it is addressed in Titus.

 

10. Who wrote Hebrews?

 

11. When was Hebrews written?

 

12. What does Hebrews say about the incarnation?

 

13. What is unique about Hebrews?

 

14. How can Jesus be a high priest?

 

15. What does Hebrews say about the Jewish sacrificial system?

 

16. What is Hebrews 11 about?

 

17. How does James complement Galatians?

 

18. What did Luther call the letter of James?

 

19. What is the apparent conflict between James and Romans, and how can they be reconciled?

 

20. In what sense are we saved by works?

 

21. What is the theme of 1 Peter?

 

22. From what city is 1 Peter written?

 

23. What is the subject of 2 Peter 3?

 

24. 2 Peter says the day of the Lord will come like what?

 

25. What is the question that 1 John answers?

 

26. What is the primary command in 1 John?

 

27. With what error is 2 John concerned?

 

28. What is the topic of 3 John?

 

29. What is the purpose of Jude?

 

30. What question were the addressees of Revelation asking?

 

31. What are the four visions in Revelation?

 

32. The Lamb is depicted in a struggle against what?

 

33. What are the different interpretations of Revelation?

 

34. What are the views of the millennium?

 

35. What is dispensational premillennialism?