New Testament- Form critisicm

Question 1

form criticism two aims

Answer 1

1. to classify units of writing (pericopes) into different literary forms
2. Consider how units have been adapted, since original oral period to fit needs of Early Church

Question 2

in order to meet the second aim, what must critics do

Answer 2

-link units to their SITZ IM LEBEN (setting)

Question 3

what must form critics look at

Answer 3

-how individual units of writing have been adapted to fit needs early Church

Question 4

Dibellius identified literary categories used as building blocks gospels

Answer 4

-Paradgims
-Tales
-Legends
-Myths
-Exhortations (teachings)

Question 5

what two main areas can Dibellius literary categories be summarised into

Answer 5

-sayings of jesus
-stories about jesus

Question 6

what does Bultmann say about the material used in gospels? what do we need to do to understand meaning behind?

Answer 6

-material used came from oral traditions and copied into existing forms
-says we need to demythologise units of new testament in order to understand meaning behind myths
-message behind myths called KERYGMA

Question 7

source criticism significant for understanding text (Dodd)

Answer 7

-scholars such as Dodd, offers contexts teachings and meanings within early Church, shows needs early church priority over need hsitorical accuracy, material adapted support early Church community in faith

Question 8

form critics argued that gospels were not about…

Answer 8

-gospels nkt about historical truth, spiritual truth
-historical jesus not as relevant to early church

Question 9

suggestion of form criticism

Answer 9

-gospels may not be reliable, objective accounts Jesus
-context Sitz I’m Leben seemed to overtake historical accuracy

Question 10

strengths form critisicm

Answer 10

-raised awareness of common oral tradition that pre dated gospels
-emphasis gospels not to be read as biographical account
-starting to consider written for purpose