commission pastor year 1
new testament survey
Synoptic Gospels
1 Synoptic Problem
Discussion of the similarities and differences in the accounts of Jesus' life in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke.
Reflection on Synoptic Problem
2 Priority of Mark
The Gospel of Mark is shorter than the other Gospels and some of the grammar and theology is unique. There are also significant similarities bewteen Mark and the Gospels of Matthew and Luke.
Reflection on Priority of Mark
3 Matthew and Luke
Discussion of the extensive similarities between the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, including the likely existence of a "Q" document.
Reflection on Matthew and Luke
Discussion of the similarities and differences in the accounts of Jesus' life in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke.
Reflection on Synoptic Problem
2 Priority of Mark
The Gospel of Mark is shorter than the other Gospels and some of the grammar and theology is unique. There are also significant similarities bewteen Mark and the Gospels of Matthew and Luke.
Reflection on Priority of Mark
3 Matthew and Luke
Discussion of the extensive similarities between the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, including the likely existence of a "Q" document.
Reflection on Matthew and Luke
Higher Criticism
4 Criticism and Presuppositions
Some time passed between the ascension of Jesus and the writing of the Gospels because there was no need for a written account while the eyewitnesses were still alive and in that culture oral tradition was the primary method of preserving history. Form critics also note that it is likely that it is likely that many of the narratives and sayings of Jesus circulated independently.
Reflection
5 Presuppositions and Results
Form criticism is the method of classifying literature by literary pattern and determine its original form and historical context in order to interpret its meaning accurately.
Reflection
6 Criticism
Redaction criticism focuses on evaluating how a writer has seemingly shaped and molded a narrative to express his theological goals.
Reflection
Some time passed between the ascension of Jesus and the writing of the Gospels because there was no need for a written account while the eyewitnesses were still alive and in that culture oral tradition was the primary method of preserving history. Form critics also note that it is likely that it is likely that many of the narratives and sayings of Jesus circulated independently.
Reflection
5 Presuppositions and Results
Form criticism is the method of classifying literature by literary pattern and determine its original form and historical context in order to interpret its meaning accurately.
Reflection
6 Criticism
Redaction criticism focuses on evaluating how a writer has seemingly shaped and molded a narrative to express his theological goals.
Reflection
Gospels
7 Gospel of Mark
Studying the background and theological emphases of the Gospel of Mark helps us to understand the central message of his Gospel.
Reflection
8 Gospel of Matthew
Studying the background and theological emphases of the Gospel of Mark helps us to understand the central message of his Gospel.
Reflection
9 Gospel of Luke
Studying the background and theological emphases of the Gospel of Luke helps us to understand the central message of his Gospel.
Reflection
10 Gospel of John
Studying the background and theological emphases of the Gospel of John helps us to understand the central message of his Gospel.
Reflection
Studying the background and theological emphases of the Gospel of Mark helps us to understand the central message of his Gospel.
Reflection
8 Gospel of Matthew
Studying the background and theological emphases of the Gospel of Mark helps us to understand the central message of his Gospel.
Reflection
9 Gospel of Luke
Studying the background and theological emphases of the Gospel of Luke helps us to understand the central message of his Gospel.
Reflection
10 Gospel of John
Studying the background and theological emphases of the Gospel of John helps us to understand the central message of his Gospel.
Reflection
Method
11 Criteria for Authenticity
By studying the background and comparing the text of the synoptic gospels, we can be confident of their authenticity.
Reflection
12 Exaggeration
In order to understand Jesus' teaching, it is important to understand how he uses exaggeration and determine when he is using exaggeration to make a point.
Reflection
13 Literary Forms
The Gospels record how Jesus used different literary forms to communicate his teachings. This class was taught by a teaching assistant of Dr. Stein's but his name was not provided.
Reflection
By studying the background and comparing the text of the synoptic gospels, we can be confident of their authenticity.
Reflection
12 Exaggeration
In order to understand Jesus' teaching, it is important to understand how he uses exaggeration and determine when he is using exaggeration to make a point.
Reflection
13 Literary Forms
The Gospels record how Jesus used different literary forms to communicate his teachings. This class was taught by a teaching assistant of Dr. Stein's but his name was not provided.
Reflection
Parables
14 History and Rules of Interpretation
Jesus told parables to communicate with people. It's important to know how to interpret parables to accurately understand what Jesus was trying to teach. At different times in history, people have used different paradigms to interpret parables.
Reflection
15 Application of Rules
Jesus told parables to communicate with people. It's important to know how to interpret parables to accurately understand what Jesus was trying to teach. At different times in history, people have used different paradigms to interpret parables.
Reflection
16 Two Parts and Allegory
Jesus used different literary forms to communicate with people. It's important to know how to interpret these literary forms, including parables, to accurately understand what Jesus was trying to teach.
Reflection
Jesus told parables to communicate with people. It's important to know how to interpret parables to accurately understand what Jesus was trying to teach. At different times in history, people have used different paradigms to interpret parables.
Reflection
15 Application of Rules
Jesus told parables to communicate with people. It's important to know how to interpret parables to accurately understand what Jesus was trying to teach. At different times in history, people have used different paradigms to interpret parables.
Reflection
16 Two Parts and Allegory
Jesus used different literary forms to communicate with people. It's important to know how to interpret these literary forms, including parables, to accurately understand what Jesus was trying to teach.
Reflection
Message
17 Kingdom of God
The kingdom of God is God's kingdom invading the earthly kingdom. There is a tension between the "now" and "not yet."
Reflection
18Fatherhood of God
Jesus' teaching about the fatherhood of God reveals for us a tension between reverence and intimacy.
Reflection
19 Ethical Teaching
The ethical teachings of Jesus are scattered throughout the Gospels and sometimes seem to be contradictory. He emphasized the need for a new heart and the importance of loving God and our "neighbor."
Reflection
The kingdom of God is God's kingdom invading the earthly kingdom. There is a tension between the "now" and "not yet."
Reflection
18Fatherhood of God
Jesus' teaching about the fatherhood of God reveals for us a tension between reverence and intimacy.
Reflection
19 Ethical Teaching
The ethical teachings of Jesus are scattered throughout the Gospels and sometimes seem to be contradictory. He emphasized the need for a new heart and the importance of loving God and our "neighbor."
Reflection
Christology