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 (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. Explain the traditional hermeneutics once prevalent in the churches of Christ.

23. Explain the 3-step method of hermeneutics.

24. From Chilton: What is the “canon” of the NT?

IMPORTANT ROMAN EMPERORS OF THE FIRST CENTURY

Name Years Reigned Events

Augustus

Tiberius

Claudius

Nero

Vespasian

Domitian

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 1^st century Roman Empire?

10. What does Pax Romana mean?

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

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

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

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

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

16. What is the translation of Yom Kippur?

17. What is the Apocrypha?

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 Golden Rule.

4. What is the significance of “church” in Matthew?

5. What are the components of forgiveness?

6. Is reconciliation necessary for forgiveness? Why or why not?

7. How is God the model of forgiveness?

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, 1^st 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 – COLOSSIANS

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?

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. Who is Philemon’s runaway slave?

2. When did Paul write 1-2 Thessalonians?

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

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?