Introduction to the New Testament

Whitworth University Diploma in Lay Pastoral Ministry Program

June 13-17, 2011

9 a.m.-noon

Keith Beebe, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Theology

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

The purpose of this course is to introduce the student to the New Testament by providing an overview of its basic content and an understanding of its central message and theological themes. Emphasis will be given to interpreting the New Testament writings in light of their historical, religious, political, geographic, socio-economic and literary context.

COURSE MATERIALS:

The Bible

• Metzger, Bruce. The New Testament: Its Background, Growth, and Content. [This is to be read prior to the first class.]

COURSE SCHEDULE:

            June 14            Introduction to the New Testament

            June 15            The Gospels

            June 16            Jesus’ Ministry & Teaching

            June 17            New Testament History & Literature

            June 18            New Testament Literature

COURSE PROJECT:

Each student will develop a basic curriculum plan/outline for a ten-week New Testament survey course that could be taught in a congregational context. The curriculum plan should include a general schedule of weekly topics, with general lesson plans for each week that outline the basic content to be covered and the instructional activities/resources to be used. The paper should be no longer than 15 pages in length, and is due Oct. 1, 2011.

Handout A

Class Information Survey

New Testament

Name:

Town/City/State of Residence:

Phone:                                                                         E-mail address:

Where were you raised?

Current occupation/job:                                                         

Other courses taken in biblical studies? Please identify:

Please indicate your level of knowledge, familiarity, and understanding of the Bible:

What do you hope to learn/gain from this course?

Any particular questions you hope might be covered?

Any information about yourself that would be helpful for me to know as we begin this course?    

Handout B

How To Study The Bible

Three questions to ask of the text:

• What does it say?  (Observation): Exegesis
• Plain reading:  What is the passage saying to the original readers? 
• What is the topic?  Context? (Who, what, when, where, how?)
• Contextual questions:            Historical

                                                           Literary

                                                           Geographical

                                                           Socio-economic

• What does it mean?  (Interpretation): Hermeneutics
• What is the main point?
• What is God saying through His Word?
• What does it mean for us?  (Application)
  

Is there . . .

a promise?            a fresh insight about God?

                     a warning?            encouragement?

                     a prayer?               an example to follow, or to decide not to follow?

                     a command?         a thought for the day?

Helpful tools:

• Concordance:  A listing of important words found in the Bible.
• Bible dictionary:  Definitions and descriptions of names, places, practices found in the Bible.
• Commentary:  A systematic explanation of a text, including the historical, geographical, literary and interpretive considerations.

Handout C

Basic Resources for Biblical Studies:

Bible Dictionaries:

Achtemeier, P. (Ed.). Harpers Bible Dictionary. San Francisco: Harper & Row Publishers, 1985.

Douglas, J. (Ed.). The New Bible Dictionary (2nd Edition). Wheaton:Tyndale House, 1984.

Myers, S. (Ed.). The Eerdmans Bible Dictionary. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishers, 1987.

Richards, L. (Ed.). The Revell Bible Dictionary. Old Tappan, NJ: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1990

Bible Condordances:

Goodrick, E. and Kohlenberger III, J. (Ed.). The NIV Complete Concordance. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1981.

Goodrick, E. and Kohlenberger III, J. (Ed.). The NIV Exhaustive Concordance. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1990.

Bible Commentaries: Single Volumes/Sets

Barker, K. & Kohlenberger III, J. (Eds.). The Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary (2 Vol.). Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1994.

Carson, D. et al (Eds.). New Bible Commentary (21st Century Edition). Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1994.

Keck, L. (Ed.).The New Interpreter’s Bible (Vol. I-XII). Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1994.

McGrath, A. The NIV Bible Companion: A Basic Commentary on the Old & New Testaments. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1997.

Miscellaneous Study Resources:

Douglas, J. (Ed.). The Illustrated Bible Dictionary. Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, 1980.

Mears, H. What the Bible Is All About. Ventura, CA: Regal Books, 1983.

Metzger, B. & Coogan, M. (Eds.) The Oxford Companion to the Bible. New York: Oxford University Press, 1993.

Miller, M. & Miller, J. Harpers Encyclopedia of Bible Life. New York: Harper & Row Publishers, 1978.

Nave, O. (Ed.). Nave’s Topical Bible. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1979.

Pfeiffer, C. (Ed.). Baker’s Bible Atlas (Revised Edition). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1984.

Internet Resources/Sites:

www.bible.gospelcom.net

www.LeaderU.com/cbvs-cgi-bin/vines

www.internetdynamics.com/pub/vc/bibles.html

www.crosswalk.com

www.blueletterbible.com

www.biblestudytools.net/Dictionaries/EastonBibleDictionary

www.biblestudytools.net/Dictionaries/BakersEvangelicalDictionary

www.ccel.org/wwsb

Handout D

Background of New Testament Palestine

356-323 B.C.: Hellenistic rule

Alexander the Great conquers Asia Minor, Middle East and Egypt, establishing Greek-style cities, religion and culture throughout. This “Greeking,” or “Hellenizing” of the region resulted in many changes, one of which included language: A spoken form of  (non-classical) Greek known as “koine” (or “common”) became the shared language around the Mediterranean region for about 300 years.

In Alexandria, Egypt, the Jews no longer understood their Hebrew Old Testament, and it was translated into Greek, the version being called the Septuagint (abbreviated LXX). The Jews were thus able to understand their own Scripture and to begin to share it with the Gentiles. The Septuagint became the version for the early Christians.

246 BC-A.D. 14: Roman conquests and rule

Through a succession of military conquests, the Roman Empire gains additional territories around the eastern Mediterranean, conquering Palestine by 63 B.C. During the period 27 B.C.-A.D. 14, the Roman Emperor Caesar Augustus inaugurates about 200 years of  Pax Romana (Roman Peace), with Roman provinces being supervised by “governors,” while also providing for “self-government” of the conquered people.

Key political figures in Jesus’ day

• Roman Emperors
• Julius Caesar, 40-39 B.C.
• Caesar Augustus, 27 B.C. -A.D. 14
• Tiberius Caesar, A.D. 14-37

• Roman Governors (Procurators) of Judea
• Valerius Gratus, A.D. 15-26
• *Pontius Pilate, A.D. 26-37
• Marcellus/Marullus, A.D. 36-41

• The Herodians: local rulers or “kings” by Roman decree
• Herod the Great, King of Israel, 30-4 B.C.
• Sons (divided rule):
• Archelaus, ruler of Judea, 4 B.C.-A.D. 6
• Philip, ruler of territories east of Galilee 4 B.C.-A.D. 34

c.  *Herod Antipas, ruler of Galilee, 4 B.C.-A.D. 39 (Jesus’ adulthood)

Key people groups in Palestine:

• The Romans (and Herodians)

• The Jews -- the people: the vast majority of the population in Palestine, mostly lower-class, highly-taxed.

• Samaritans -- the “ten tribes” of Israel who intermarried with the Assyrians, who had conquered the land before the exile. Considered by the Jews to be unclean and were despised. (Lived in the region of Samaria.)

Four Main Religious Groups (Sects) of Judaism:                    

• The Sadducees: Wealthy businessmen and aristocratic members of the religious establishment (from the clan of “Zadok”). Held controlling power over the temple religious practices and priesthood: the “chief priests,” the “High Priest” (highest temple office), temple captain, temple overseers, treasurers. The High Priest was ex officio chairman of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish council which administered both the religious and secular commandments of the Torah. Politically, the Sadducees were the most favorable toward the Romans, cooperating with them in order to retain their powerful positions. Theologically, they believed in the Torah Scriptures, but rejected the post-Torah teachings concerning life after death (and the possibility of a future resurrection).
  
  
• The Pharisees (means “separated ones”): Middle-class, grassroots religious leaders (5 percent of population) who had the most credibility with the people. They carried on the day-to-day religious activities related to the synagogues. From the Pharisees came those who were known as the “scribes”(teachers of the law), “lawyers,” and “rabbis” (or teachers). Although the Pharisees held to a strict authority of the Torah, they also embraced the oral traditions/law which developed after the Pentateuch as equally authoritative. Thus, they believed that the Law of God required detailed “spelling out” in its interpretation and application, and anyone who simply could not memorize and keep all aspects of the most minute details of their Law were considered sinners. (Ex: Throughout the years, the Pharisees, in their desire to help the people keep the command to “keep the Sabbath holy and rest from work," defined and classified more than 39 different activities that would be considered “work,” and they would continually refine and revise their list of negative behaviors that the people were required to avoid in various situations and circumstances. Politically, the Pharisees were less supportive than the Sadducees of Roman rule. Theologically, they believed in the later teachings, such as the Resurrection, life after death, angels and demons.
  
  
• The Essenes: Later associated with the Dead Sea scrolls, hidden around 70 A.D. and found just six decades ago, this was a conservative, ascetic sect of Judaism whose members lived in a monastic community in Qumran, near the Dead Sea. They lived a rigorously disciplined life and approached the Old Testament, particularly the prophetic books, as if it were personally addressed to them. Thus, they were fervently awaiting the full victory of God’s kingdom, which they believed would come soon. Politically, they were opposed to the Romans, and they held strong contempt for the Sadducees and Pharisees.
  
  
• The Zealots: The revolutionary Jewish underground party (in the tradition of the Maccabees), who believed in a violent overthrow of Roman rule, utilzing guerilla warfare tactics. Their zeal for the Torah motivated their hatred of the Romans, and they were willing to fight and die for their religious and political freedom. The Zealots’ rebellion against Rome eventually led to a crackdown by the Romans and to the eventual destruction of Jerusalem, in 70 A.D..

The Birth & Growth of the Church:

An Outline of the Book Of Acts

Preface:       Acts 1:8:  “…you will be my witness in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Matthew 28:18-20:“…go make disciples of all nations (peoples.)”

• THE EMERGENCE OF THE CHURCH, " ...in Jerusalem":
                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
• Key passage: Acts 1:1-6:7                                                                                                                                                                           
• Key target group:  God-fearing Jews from every nation in Jerusalem
• Key leaders: Peter and John
  
  
• Key Events/Activities:

• Preparing for ministry (Ch. 1)
• Becoming empowered for ministry (2:1-13) -- Pentecost/Holy Spirit
• Engaging in ministry (2:14-41)
• Experiencing life together (2:42-47)
• Proclaiming Jesus' power (Ch. 3)
• Encountering opposition/persecution (4:1-6:7)

• THE EXPANSION OF THE CHURCH, "…in Judea & Samaria” :
  
  
• Key passage: Acts 6:8-9:31
• Key target group:  Diaspora (scattered) Jews throughout Palestine
• Key leaders: *Stephen, *Philip, and *(Saul)
  

• Key Events/Activities:                                    

• The ministry/stoning of Stephen (6:8-8:1)
• The persecution & scattering (8:1-40)
• The ministry of Philip (8:4-40)
• Saul's conversion (9:1-31)
  

• THE EXTENSION OF THE CHURCH “…all nations (people-groups)” :
  
  
• Key passage: Acts 9:32-12:24                                                                                                                                                                 
• Key target group: The Gentiles
• Key leaders/figures:  *Peter, *Cornelius, *Barnabas
  
  
• Key events/activities:
  
  
• Gentile "Pentecost" (10:1-11:18): Gentiles receive the Holy Spirit
• Extension to Antioch (Syria) (11:26): Disciples first called “Christians”

• THE EVANGELISTIC MISSION OF THE CHURCH“…to the ends of the earth”: 
  
  
• Key passage: Acts 12:25-28:30
• Key target group: Jews & Gentiles throughout the ancient Mediterranean world:
• Key leaders: *Saul (Paul), *Barnabas, *Silas, *Timothy

• Key events/activities:
  
  
• The First Missionary Journey:  Paul & Barnabas (12:25-16:5)
• The Second Missionary Journey: Paul, Silas, Apollos, Timothy (16:6-19:20)
• The Third Missionary Journey: Paul/imprisonment in Rome (19:21-28:30)

Handout G

Key New Testament Theological Terms

1.         Gospel: “Good News,” specifically the good news of salvation in/through Jesus Christ

2.         Salvation: the act or process of being rescued/delivered (specifically from sin, the kingdom of darkness, and death)

3.         Sin:  a. the condition of being separated from God

b. any act that involves disobedience to God's law that results in separation from Him

4.         Wrath: the response of a just and holy God to sin; a pure, angry response against that which is sinful and evil

5.         Grace: the undeserved love of God; the manifold expression of God’s love toward us

6.         Redemption: release from bondage, usually by means of a price paid. To redeem is "to buy."

7.         Repentance: the act of turning back toward God; literally to “change one’s mind”

8.         Faith: belief and trust in God; God-reliance

9.         Justification: a. an act of God through which one is restored to a right relationship with God (see Eph. 2:8-9)

b. having one’s standing before God changed from “guilty as charged” to “penalty paid in full” (acquittal).  [Images: becoming a citizen, birth, marriage, ingrafting of a branch]

10.       Sanctification: the inner growth and character transformation of a believer into the image of Christ (see Eph. 2:10); to be made
“holy” through a gradual, day-by-day inner working of the Holy Spirit. [Images: Americanization, development, marriage, fruit-bearing]

11.       Righteousness:iIn right relationship and good standing before God by virtue of the Lord Jesus Christ; living and sharing in the
perfect accomplishment, benefits, and character of Christ Jesus