Transcript Slide 1

Christian Bible
Hebrew Bible (Old Testament)
Christian Scriptures
(New Testament)
27 books
• Gospels (Matthew, Mark,
Luke, John)
• History (Acts)
• Epistles (Letters) – Paul the main
author, cf. Romans, Corinthians
• Apocalyptic (Revelation)
Roman Catholic & Eastern Orthodox Bible
Old Testament
New Testament
Apocrypha
Protestant Bible
Old Testament
New Testament
“Gospel”
• from Greek “euangelion” which means “good
news”
• “gospel” can refer to the “good news” of Jesus’
death and resurrection
• the “Gospels” are books found in the New
Testament
The Gospels
• written 40-60 years after Jesus’ death (hence not the first
NT written)
• based on oral traditions and stories about Jesus and
influenced by the history of the early Christians
(destruction of the Temple?, conflicts w/ the Jewish
community, persecution, etc.)
• pseudonymous – tradition attributed them to disciples and
followers of Jesus (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John)
• like the other NT books, written in Greek (though Jesus’
spoke Aramaic and Hebrew)
Synoptic Gospels
• Three gospels (Matthew, Mark, & Luke) are very
similar in the way they tell the story of Jesus’ life
– often use exactly the same words, follow the
same order of events, etc. Thus they are called
“synoptic” because they “see together”
• Scholars believe that there must be an
interrelationship between the synoptic Gospels
• The most common explanation is called
“Marcan” priority
Marcan Priority
Matthew
Luke
Mark
Q
• first gospel
written
• from German
“Quelle” –
source
• used by
Matthew
and Luke
• used by
Matthew and
Luke
• additional
sayings
Other Material
• “M” – material
unique to
Matthew
• “L” – material
unique to Luke
The Life & Teachings
Of Jesus
The “Radical” Ethics of Jesus
• ignored concerns about “purity” and
associated with outcasts of society
• welcomed women as his disciples
• extended the meaning of the Jewish laws
(see Matthew 5)
• preached nonviolence
• taught selfless service to all (even the
most lowly)
• the idea of “reversal” of expectations (see
Beatitudes & parable of Good Samaritan)
The Beatitudes
(Matthew 5)
5 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat
down, his disciples came to him. 2 Then he began to speak, and taught
them, saying:
3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be
filled.
7 "Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
10 "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is
the kingdom of heaven.
11 "Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all
kinds of evil against you falsely" on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for
your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the
prophets who were before you.
Matthew 5: 13-21
13 "You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be
restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot.
14 "You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. 15No one after
lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives
light to all in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that
they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
17 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to
abolish but to fulfill. 18For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one
letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. 19
Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches
others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever
does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20For I
tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you
will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
21 "You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, 'You shall not murder'; and
'whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.' 22But I say to you that if you are angry
with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or
sister," you will be liable to the council; and if you say, 'You fool,' you will be liable to
the hell of fire. 23So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that
your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the
altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister and then come and offer your
gift. 25 Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court
with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the
guard, and you will be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I tell you, you will never get out
until you have paid the last penny.
Matthew 5:27-33
27 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' 28 But I
say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already
committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to
sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your
members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your
right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you
to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell.
31 "It was also said, 'Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of
divorce.' 32But I say to you that anyone who divorces his wife, except on
the ground of unchastity, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever
marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
33 "Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, 'You shall
not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.' 34But
I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of
God, 35or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the
city of the great King. 36And do not swear by your head, for you cannot
make one hair white or black. 37Let your word be 'Yes, Yes' or 'No, No';
anything more than this comes from the evil one.
Matthew 5:27-33
38 "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for
a tooth.' 39 But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone
strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; 40 and if anyone
wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; 41 and
if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. 42
Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who
wants to borrow from you.
43 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and
hate your enemy.' 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray
for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be children of your
Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the
good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. 46
For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do
not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only
your brothers and sisters what more are you doing than others? Do
not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as
your heavenly Father is perfect.
Parable of the Good Samaritan
Luke 10:25-37
25 Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he said, "what must
I do to inherit eternal life?" 26 He said to him, "What is written in the law?
What do you read there?" 27 He answered, "You shall love the Lord your
God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength,
and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." 28 And he said to
him, "You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live." 29 But
wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"
30 Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and
fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away,
leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that
road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise
a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other
side. 33 But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw
him, he was moved with pity. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds,
having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal,
brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out
two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, "Take care of him; and
when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.' 36 Which of
these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands
of the robbers?" 37 He said, "The one who showed him mercy." Jesus said
to him, "Go and do likewise."
Parable of the Prodigal Son
Luke 15:11-32
11 Then Jesus said, "There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger of them said to his
father, "Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.' So he divided his property
between them. 13 A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant
country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. 14 When he had spent
everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need.
15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his
fields to feed the pigs. 16 He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were
eating; and no one gave him anything. 17 But when he came to himself he said, "How many of my
father's hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! 18 I will get
up and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before
you; 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands." ' 20 So
he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled
with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. 21 Then the son said to
him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called
your son.' 22 But the father said to his slaves, "Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it
on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let
us eat and celebrate; 24 for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is
found!' And they began to celebrate. 25 "Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came
and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 He called one of the slaves and
asked what was going on. 27 He replied, "Your brother has come, and your father has killed the
fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.' 28 Then he became angry and refused
to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. 29 But he answered his father, "Listen!
For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your
command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my
friends. 30 But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with
prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!' 31 Then the father said to him, "Son, you are always
with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother
of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.' "
The Kingdom of God
PRESENT
• “The time is fulfilled, and
the kingdom of God is at
hand; repent and believe
in the gospel”
• “But if it is by the finger of
God that I cast out the
demons, then the
kingdom of God has
come to you”
FUTURE
• “for I tell you that from
now on I will not drink of
the fruit of the vine until
the kingdom of God
comes.”
• “But truly I tell you, there
are some standing here
who will not taste death
before they see the
kingdom of God.”