1. Introduction to Scripture Studies Unit 9: Overview of the New Testament

2. Bible Timeline Early World Patriarchs Egypt & Exodus Desert Wanderings Conquest & Judges Royal Kingdom Divided Kingdom Exile Return from Exile Maccabean Revolt Messianic Fulfillment Church

3. Messianic Fulfillment Herod the Great, then Herod Antipas, Tetrarch of Galilee Jews are home, waiting for coming of the Messiah, but who is the dominant world power? Rome How has God quietly prepared the world for this next stage in His plan?

4. Messianic Fulfillment Common language Fabulous system of roads Hebrew Scriptures available in common language Which books tell the story of Messianic Fulfillment? The Gospels! Acts & the Epistles tell story of the early Church.

5. The Primary source material about Jesus and earliest followers is the New Testament: The New Testament contains 27 books—6 classifications Most important are the four gospels Composed over a period of about 70 years Testament means “covenant” Jesus Christ represents the new covenant/ messianic fulfillment Messianic Fulfillment

6. How is NT related to OT? The covenant theme is central in the Old Testament: 46 books of inspired writings Began with the call to Abraham Many examples of God’s loving kindness Reveals how unfaithful the Chosen People were to the covenant God’s covenant was to be a new testament sealed in the blood of his Son - Jesus is the “New Testament” NT continues and fulfills the Old Testament

7. - Canon of the Bible: official list of books the Church considers its inspired writings - 46 Old Testament books and 27 New Testament books - In order to be included in the Canon, the following criteria had to be met: Apostolic Origin Widespread Acceptance Conformity to the Rule of Faith Remember...

8. Criteria for Selection to Canon 1.Apostolic Origin -inspired by actual witnesses to original 12 -only Mt, Mk, Jn, Lk written in 1 st century; others were 2 nd century—too late for eyewitnesses 2.Widespread Acceptance -widely circulated & accepted by Church at that time 3.Conformity to the Rule of Faith True to traditional faith & teachings of Jesus; no heresies

9. New Testament The Gospels—the Good News of Jesus from 4 points of view Matthew, Mark, Luke, John Acts of the Apostles (chapter 2 of Luke’s gospel) –A history of the early Church after Jesus’ ascension The Epistles Letters written by the Apostles tell us how to live as Christians Book of Revelation –Describes Church & God’s kingdom in images & symbols

10. (1) The New Testament: The Gospels and (2) Acts of the Apostles Matthew Mark Luke John Why are there 4 gospels about Jesus Christ? 4 variations/different points of view to find complete understanding Acts of the Apostles (written by Luke)

11. The New Testament: The Pauline Epistles (13) Written to communities/churches –Romans –Corinthians 1 –Corinthians 2 –Galatians –Ephesians –Philippians –Colossians –Thessalonians 1 –Thessalonians 2

12. The New Testament: The Pauline Epistles (13) Written to individuals –Timothy 1 –Timothy 2 –Titus –Philemon

13. The New Testament: Letter to the Hebrews (1) Probably not written by Paul Not a letter; a homily

14. The New Testament: Catholic Epistles (7) “catholic”—universal; for all; to the entire Church –James –Peter 1 –Peter 2 –John 1 –John 2 –John 3 –Jude

15. The New Testament: The Book of Revelation (1) Revealed to John Apocalyptic: visions Highly symbolic; secret code Hope and encouragement for early persecuted Church

16. How is OT organized? 4 types of books— The Law/Torah History Wisdom Prophecy

17. NT organized in same way The Law/Torah--?? The 4 Gospels History--?? Acts of the Apostles Wisdom--?? The Epistles Prophecy--?? The Book of Revelation

18. -Three stages involved in the formation of the gospels: 1.) Public life and teaching of Jesus 2.) Oral tradition and preaching by the apostles and early disciples of Jesus 3.) Written gospels themselves Formation of the Gospels

19. Stage 1: Public Life - Apostles were eyewitnesses to Jesus’ life and ministry that helped to form and preserve the gospel in the first stage Stage 2: Oral Tradition - Oral preaching took three forms: 1.) Kerygma - preaching to nonbelievers 2.) Didache - teachings 3.) Liturgy - worship of the Christians Formation of the Gospels

20. - Oral preaching had to be committed to writing for three major reasons: 1.) End of the world was not coming as quickly as the early Christians thought it would 2.) Distortions were setting in 3.) More instruction was needed Formation of the Gospels

21. Stage 3: New Testament Writings - Earliest New Testament writings are letters of St. Paul - Gospels and various other writings such as Acts of the Apostles and Revelations followed Formation of the Gospels

22. The Gospels Tell the same story—good news of Jesus Christ! From 4 different points of view, each writing to a different audience Synoptic—3 gospels that ‘see with the same vision/eye’—Matthew, Mark, Luke Together, all give a complete view of Jesus, His life, and teachings; the gospels never contradict each other.

23. Mark Probably earliest written—64-70 AD Audience-- Gentile Christians in Rome (being persecuted) Jesus is leader of New Exodus—why? Save from suffering under Roman persecution Mark’s source was probably Peter Shortest, simple, straightforward story; fast pace—word ‘immediately’ used <40 times

24. Matthew Audience-- Jewish Christians Emphasis-- Jesus is the heir of David’s kingdom (check out the genealogy at beginning) Jesus is the Messiah for whom all Jews have waited Presents Jesus’ moral teachings & vision of the Church

25. Luke Audience-- Gentile Christian converts “beloved physician,” Gentile convert himself Emphasizes Jesus’ ministry to all nations; all peoples, not just Jews Luke traveled with Paul Luke wanted to give an “orderly account” of Jesus’ life and teachings

26. Luke Luke is not an eyewitness Women & outcasts very prominent Possibly gotten details from Mary? Unique stories of Jesus’ conception and birth –The Annunciation, baby in manger, shepherds, Jesus lost in Temple

27. John Emphasis on divinity of Jesus Jesus is the Word of God Incarnate Let’s read the opening of John’s Gospel Last gospel written Not a synoptic. Why? Fills in picture of Jesus not mentioned in the synoptics –Divinity of Jesus; Word Incarnate

28. How did... the symbols of the 4 evangelists develop? Read Supplementary Reading #1, page 315—Jerome, Against Jovinian, 1:26; plus, illustration, page 316 Matthew—man (opens w/genealogy) Mark—lion (opens w/voice crying out in desert) Luke—bull/calf (references the priesthood) John—eagle (soars aloft/lofty opening language)