Gospels Midterm Flashcards
(34 cards)
Structure of Matthew
1-4: meet Jesus, (Sermon on the Mount), 8-9: Works of Jesus, (the Mission Described), 11-12: controversies, (parables of the Kingdom), 14-17: Jesus and the disciples, (community life), 19-22: Jerusalem, (woe of unbelief and eschatological discourse), 26-28: Death and Resurrection
What is a miracle
a direct (unmediated) act of God in the external world in which He works outside of the common course of events to reveal Himself, authenticate His servants, and manifest His nature and redemptive purposes.
Do miracles still happen?
small m miracles: signs, spiritual gifts, healing, etc.
Four added notes on miracles
Excludes amazing but common events, excludes private events, miracles demand attestation of witnesses, verify the message of Jesus
where did the oral law come from according to the Jews?
God
Why so much conflict in the Gospels?
spiritual warfare, Jesus upsets powerful people, Jesus distresses Jewish spiritual leaders
what is textual criticism?
“lower criticism” . the what
higher criticism
separated into 2 parts: historical and literary criticism. How the document was composed and what sources were used.
literary criticism
Takes text at final form and analyzes it
redaction criticism
focuses on authors as editors. What motivations did they have in including or omitting?
dangers of criticism
assumes works are not historical and downplays theological content. See Jesus as a teacher.
How do the Gospels establish the identity of Jesus?
They show Jesus’ nature early on and they use the birth narratives. Also historical reality of incarnation (Matt and Luke placing Jesus in real history)
Jesus’ nature- Mark
Jesus annointed with the Spirit. Blomberg: balances Jesus’ Divinity with His humanity (by pointing out the public shame of Jesus’ death, etc.). “Son of Gpd”
Jesus’ nature- Matthew
Genealogy- Son of David, sinful women, Gentiles. Isaiah 7-8. Son of David
Jesus’ Nature- John
1-2 Trinitarian Prologue. Explicitly Deistic claims.
Jesus’ Nature- Luke
emphasized Jesus’ humanity. Luke 2:52- increased in wisdom and stature.
How do the 4 Gospels link Jesus to the OT prophecies?
Matthew 1-4 cites prophesies, Luke geneology according to Adam, Mark reference to Isaiah 40, John: tabernacle, law, lamb.
discipleship definition
One who learns what God has commanded, follows it, and teaches others to do the same.
Matthew and Discipleship
Oligopistoi means little faiths. Disciples slowly grew into being ready for the Great Commission. Key texts: Sermon on the Mount, charge to the 12 (Matt. 10), Community life Matt. 18
Structure of Sermon on the Mount
Beatitudes (prologue), Three levels of righteousness, disciples’ proper response to teachings, invitation for crowd to respond
Three levels of righteousness in SoM
Scribes (5:21-48) knowledge without Spirit, Pharisees (6:1-18) righteous but not good motives, Disciples (6:19-34) don’t seek treasure but righteousness.
Two present tenses in Beatitudes
Poor in Spirit (5:3) and persecuted for righteousness sake (5:10)
How do we interpret SoM?
not merely a set of commands, but directed to those who have already entered the kingdom, the disciples.
Does the SoM apply to unbelievers?
No- unbelievers not capable of this level of obedience, and yes- the close (7:28) shows that people are invited to listen in.
