NT 2 Midterm Flashcards
(123 cards)
Define hauptbriefe
Chief or principal letters. Galatians, Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians
What are the two categories by which Paul’s epistles are arranged in the NT? How are the letters arranged within each category?
- 1st group: Paul’s letters to churches, 2nd group: Letters to individuals
- Within each group: longest to shortest
How many epistles did Paul write which appear in the NT? According to Dr. Wicker, are any of them anonymous or pseudonymous?
13 letters. None are anonymous or pseudonymous
Which Pauline letter is written to a group of churches?
Galatians
In which epistle did Paul describe his conversion and early ministry?
Galatians
Explain the main difference between the North Galatia and the South Galatia theory of the destination of Galatians.
- South Galatia view – Paul wrote it in AD 49, after his first missionary journey
- North Galatia view – Paul wrote it in AD 54-56, during his third missionary journey
What occasion led Paul to write Galatians?
- Paul and Barnabas went to Asia Minor on their 1st missionary journey, AD 48-49. Later, Jewish Christians (Judaizers) went there and told people they had to become Jews before becoming Christians (had to be circumcised.)
In what sense did Paul use the term “apostle” to refer to himself? What is the meaning of this term that can apply to every Christian?
- An apostle was an eyewitness of Jesus and a leader in the early church.
- The definition of “one sent forth” applies to every Christian.
What is legalism? What was the legalism that Paul wrote against in Galatians?
- Depending on good works for salvation, rather than grace through faith alone
Who were the Judaizers? Briefly share how did Paul answered the Judaizers in Galatians.
- Judaizers insisted that people had to convert to Judaism (be circumcised) in order to be become Christians (be saved).
- Paul refused to give in to them at all. He refuted their claims passionately.
What word was the common greeting used by Gentiles and what word was the common greeting used by Jews in Paul’s day that to which he gave a deeper meaning in the greetings of his letters?
Gentiles - grace; Jews - peace (shalom)
What is a doxology?
- A short praise to God or Jesus. Usually uses words like “praise, forever, and amen”
When Paul and Barnabas went to Jerusalem for Paul’s “second time,” who was a test case that they brought with them (2:1-5)? What was the issue? Why did Paul visit with the pillars of the church at Jerusalem at this time?
- Titus was the test case. Judaizers tried to convince him to be circumcised. Paul opposed them and said that Titus did not have to be circumcised.
- Paul met with the pillars of the church at Jerusalem for them to approve his ministry and recognize his calling to minister to the Gentiles
What is the New Perspective on Paul?
- Argument that Paul was not talking about individual salvation (works vs faith) but rather about uniting Jews and Gentiles. He was arguing against the Jew-specific portions of the law.
- Judaism at that time was not monolithic. They did not try to earn salvation by obedience to the law. The reformers misinterpreted this.
- Rather, Jews practiced covenantal nomism – good works kept them within the covenant of God.
- Paul merely argued against Jewish nationalism and exclusivism – dealt with who got saved, not how they got saved.
What is the negative use of the law (3:19, 22)? What is the positive use (3:23-24)?
- Negative use – reveals sin
- Positive use – a tutor or custodian to lead first the Jews and then all people to Christ
What does Galatians 3:28 address?
- There are no distinctions regarding salvation
- Distinctions such as male and female certainly exist, but not in regards to salvation. Everyone is equal when it comes to salvation
How was Jesus born “in the fullness of time” (4:4)?
- For thousands of years, God had been preparing for that particular moment in history for Jesus to be born.
- The Law had prepared the Jews for their need for Christ, their Scriptures all pointed to him.
- Jews were sick of foreign subjugation and had a heightened Messianic expectation. Religious hunger because of the emptiness of the Greek philosophies and “gods.”
- Greek language had spread, Romans built excellent system of roads, pax romana.
What does it mean that the Galatians would have plucked out their eyes for Paul (v. 15)?
- They would have done anything to help Paul with his physical affliction, even sacrificing something as precious as their own eyes. Could mean that Paul’s affliction was eye-related, but not necessarily.
When Paul used Hagar, Ishmael, Sarah, and Isaac as allegories, who do each represent (vv. 21-31)?
- Isaac represents the sons of faith (Sarah) while Ishmael represents the sons of works of the law (Hagar)
What does Galatians say about a Christian being free in Christ (Gal 5:1, 13-14, 16)?
- We are free from slavery to sin and from living under the law. But we should use our freedom to love and serve others, not to satisfy our own desires.
What are the fruit of the Spirit (5:22-23)? Describe them as a whole. Contrast them as a whole with the deeds of the flesh.
- Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
- Godly virtues developed in Christians by the Holy Spirit.
- They are all self-sacrificial, putting others first. They reflect God’s own character.
- Deeds of the flesh are selfish and sinful, putting our own desires over those of others. They stand in stark contrast to the character of God.
Name and describe the five typical divisions of one of Paul’s epistles.
- Prescription – greeting and identification
- Thanksgiving
- Body – content of the letter (opening, doctrine, application)
- Travel log
- Subscription – final greetings, instructions, Paul’s own signature
How did the original recipients know a letter was really from Paul (and not an imposter)? There were two ways.
- Testimony of the letter’s carrier (he used friends to deliver his letters)
- Paul’s autograph near the end (in large letters)
What is an amanuensis? Describe three different ideas on how much control an amanuensis had who recorded a writing that became part of the NT.
- Amanuensis – secretary or scribe – wrote the letter as Paul dictated
- 1) Dictation – no control, just wrote it down
- 2) Some change – Made changes, but Paul corrected if necessary
- 3) Much change – Paul did or did not correct