Introduction to the New Testament

Popular Misconceptions about New Testament

• Unified Book• Written by a single author• The only writings of the Early Church• Replacement of the Hebrew Bible

Is there anything problematic about the name—New Testament?

Literacy

• Less that 20% of population could read

• NT texts read aloud to communities

What is the New Testament?• Over 5,000 manuscripts– Gospel Manuscript– Gospel Manuscript– Codex Sinaiticus

• Canon contains 27 books– Gospels– Acts of the Apostles– Epistles– Revelation

• Written between 50 CE-120 CE by many writers• Written in Greek, called koine

Dates matter•J

esus of Nazareth born

4 BCE

•Jesus of Nazareth dies

30 CE

•Epistles of Paul written

•1 Thessalonians written 50 CE

50-60 CE

•Gospel of Mark written

65-70 CE

•Gospel of Matthew written,

•Gospel of Luke written

80-85 CE

•Gospel of John written

95 CE

Gospels

What does gospel mean?

How would you describe the Gospels?

Synoptic Gospels

“Matthew, Mark, Luke repeat stories and sayings of Jesus is nearly identical words.”

Synoptic Problem

What is the synoptic problem?

Two Source Theory

Markan Priority?

What arguments can be made for dating Mark as the earliest gospel?

Mark’s Gospel

• How does Mark’s gospel open? • How is it’s beginning different from Matthew

and Luke? • What is the significance of Jesus’ baptism?

What are Jewish roots of baptism? • Who is John the Baptist?

Matthew’s Gospel

• What is the purpose of Matthew’s infancy narrative? – Wise men visit Jesus– Herod’s Massacre of Infants– Flight to Egypt (Hoshea 11:1)

Herod the Great

http://www.hellomagazine.com/imagenes/travel/201201046880/masada-fortress-israel-judean-desert/0-30-748/a_AEP-PBS08-03-15-11-5362-a.jpg

Masada

Masada, Desert Fortress

http://www.hellomagazine.com/travel/gallery/201201046880/masada-fortress-israel-judean-desert/1/

Caesarea

Caesarea

http://www.treybarrow.com/Caesarea/photos/20%20Caesarea%20Aqueduct.JPG

How is Luke’s infancy narrative different from Matthew’s

narrative?

Luke’s Gospel

What are the differences in Luke’s infancy narrative?– Shepherds visit Jesus – No mention of Herod’s attempts to kill Jesus– Presentation at the Temple– Jesus visits the Temple at age 12

Christology

Perspective on the nature, teachings, and function of Christ.

Compare Luke 2: 28-32 to Matthew 1: 21-23What are the differences in the writers views

about Jesus?

How to read the New Testament?

• Read with fresh eyes

• Beware of prior assumptions

• Read from different perspectives:– Literary world: form, style, theme, purpose of the

text– Historical world: historical context and setting– Contemporary world: how the text applies to

current times? What does it mean today?

Mark’s Gospel

• Markan Priority• Written in 65-70 CE• Written from the perspective of persecuted

Gentile-Christian community (Alexandria? Rome?)

• Eschatological urgency (Mark 1:15)

Pharisees—Separatist Group

• Name means, “separated ones”• Careful observance of the Torah• Emphasized eating regulations• Did not eat meals with people who did not

follow the Torah• Hostile towards Greek culture• Views as hypocrites in the NT• Rose to power after fall of Temple (70 CE)• Followed oral law, Mishnah, Talmud

Sadducees—Real Power Players

• Priests• Tended to control the temple• High priests was a liaison between Jewish

priests and Roman governor• Wealthy landowners, well-connected• Only viewed the Torah as authoritative• Did not believe in angels, demons, or

resurrection of the body

Scribes

Why would scribes resent Jesus’ teachings in Mark’s gospel?

Gospel of Matthew• Written in 75-85 CE

• Written to a Jewish community in Galilee

• Addresses inter-Jewish debates after defeat and fall of temple in 70 CE

Beatitudes in Matthew 5:3-11 Beatitudes in Luke 6:20-26

3 ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.4 ‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.5 ‘Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.6 ‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.7 ‘Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.8 ‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.9 ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.10 ‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.11 ‘Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.

Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. 21 ‘Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled.‘Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.22 ‘Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man…24 ‘But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. 25 ‘Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry.‘Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep.26 ‘Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets.

Gospel of Luke• Written in 80-95 CE

• Written to a Hellenistic, gentile audience

• Best written gospel

• Published as a larger work—Luke-Acts

• Eager to prove that Jesus followers can be loyal Roman subjects

Gospel of John

• Written 90-110 CE• Presents a high Christology• Jesus as the Word incarnate (made flesh)• Severe hostility toward “Jews”• May have been expelled from synagogue• I am statements