What are the 4 criteria in forming the New Testament canon?
Apostilicity = book had to be written by an Apostle (one of Jesus’ original disciples) Orthodoxy = consistent message/rule of faith
catholicity/universality = universal usage/acceptance by major Christian communities
Antiquity: need to have originated during the Apostolic age
How are each of the four evangelists depicted in Christian art (based on a vision in Ezekiel) and why?
Angel/Human- Matthew, his Gospel portrays the HUMANITY of Christ
Ox- Luke, symbolizes SACRIFICE and Luke as a strong servant to God’s will, also often depicted as medical symbol as Luke was a doctor
Lion- Mark- God’s ROYALTY + ABSOLUTE POWER
Eagle- John- his book highlights the THEOLOGICAL DIVINITY OF GOD
Translation necessarily means interpretation has taken place. Why is this the case?
Some words so not have direct translations
Therefore a translator has to use discretion to interpret the meaning of one word to another dialect.
What language is the New Testament largely written in?
Modern Greek
What does the Chi-Rho represent?
First two letters of Jesus’ Greek name Chi, and Rho- ancient symbol depicting Christian affiliation
What group of people wrote all the books in the New Testament canon? (You don’t have to know all the individuals)
Apostles and Close Companions
Gospel Writers
Anonymous/Unknown
Who announces the Kingdom of God and calls himself the Son of Man?
Jesus
Who is presented as the Lamb of God?
Jesus
How does the New Testament teach about a renewed creation and how does that parallel the creation and fall in Genesis?
Genesis (Creation & Fall)
First Adam disobeyed, bringing sin/death and ruining creation (Rom.5).
The Curse: Driven from Eden; physical world groans (Rom.8)
Individual Status: “Oldhasgone,” believer is a newcreation in Christ (2Cor.5:17).
New Testament (New Creation)
Last Adam (Christ) obeyed, bringing righteousness/life and renewing creation (1Cor.15).
. The Reversal: Restored to the New Earth; curse removed; no more death (Rev.21−22).
Cosmic status: looking forward to the new Heaven and new Earth
Who was Luke, and why is he writing?
Luke was a physician, a companion of Paul and a Gentile Christai writer
Writes to give an orderly, researched, trustworthy account of Jesus’ life
Who is Theophilus?
Likely a wealthy patron/high-status believer who funded Luke’s writing project.
How was the birth of John the Baptist announced?
The angel Gabriel appears to Zechariah in the Temple where hew as there to light incense, tells him Elizabeth will bear a son, and that the child will prepare Israel for the lord.
Who are Zechariah and Elizabeth?
Zechariah- Priest that belonged to the priestly division of Abijah
Elizabeth: his wife
How was the birth of Jesus announced (the Annunciation)?
Gabriel visits Mary, tells her she will conceive by the Holy Spirit, her son will be called Son of the Most High.
What is Mary’s Magnificat about?
Praises God for choosing her, celebrates a world-upside-down vision where God lifts up the lowly, brings down the proud, keeps his promises to Israel.
How does Luke describe the birth of Jesus?
“While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.”
Who do the angels announce his birth to in Luke?
To the shepherds
Who are Simeon and Anna in the temple?
Simeon: deeply devout man who had been promised by the Holy Spirit that he would see the Messiah before he died, he recognizes Jesus as the fulfillment of that promise.
Anna: elderly prophet who spends her time praying and worshipping in the temple, praises God and says that this child is the one who will bring redemption.
