Unit 2- Theological Perspective Flashcards
What does the word Synoptic Mean?
Seeing as One or Seeing Together
From the greek- synoptikos
What are the “Hard Facts” about the gospels
- Each gospel is written from an individual perspective
- The gospels are written in a particular genre(type of writing)
- The gospels are not eyewitness accounts
What type of writing (genre) are the canonical gospels?
- Compatible with Greco-Roman and Jewish writings
- Biography- writings about the life of a person
Types: Professional- focusing only on adult life
Full- Focuses on early and adult life
Characteristics of Ancient Biographies
- Not written chronologically
- Events often arranged topically
- Do not start with the birth/early life of the main character as they did not have to
- Did not emphasise entire life, only particular period; in most cases, the adult life was emphasised
Gospels focused on adult life. Emphasis is placed on the last week of life
Last week of Jesus’s life occupies __________ of the gospel of ________
1/3 of Mark (Chapter 11-16)
Gospels fit genre of ancient biographies based on”
- They focused on a single character
- They fall within a certain range of length
- They were historical in nature
What is the Synoptic Problem
Question of the documentary relationship among the first 3 gospels. I.E. why are they so similar
What are the lessons learnt from Luke 1:1-4
There were various traditions about Jesus.
These traditions exist in individual communities.
The traditions were passed down from one generation to the next.
The traditions were eventually recorded/written down.
True or False- most New Testament historians have concluded that “oral testimonies” as well as lengthier “written sources” were used in the composition of the gospels.
True
Give 2 stories common in Matt, Mark, Luke
- Jairus Daughter
- Baptism and Temptation of Jesus
- Feeding
Common Story in Matt and Luke
Preaching of John the Baptist
Beatitudes
Temptation (in Mark also)
Stories in Matt ONLY
Visit of Magi
Flight to Egypt
Peter Walking on Water
Stories ONLY in Luke
Birth fo John
Mary’s Visit to Elizabeth
The Lost Things
Suggested Solutions to the Synoptic Problem- why are they so similar
- Oral Tradition - Circulated orally before written down
- Matthean Priority - Matthew being the source for Mark and Luke (not accepted by many scholars as luke’s order is different)
- Marcan Priority- Mark is the source for Matt and Luke (Mostly accepted)
- Q Hypothesis- Another written compilation of Jesus’s sayings was used in the composition of Matt and Luke, but not Mark
What is the Messianic Secret
The phenomenon in gospels (especially in Mark), where Jesus tries to keep His Messianic identity secret until the closing of His Ministry
