Introduction To the New Testament, Essay Example

Lesson 2.1

Discussion Question

Find an exposition of an event in Jesus’ life in two of the Synoptic Gospels and point out similarities and differences in the presentation.  Note which Gospels you are using.

The accounts of Jesus’ encounter with the women are very different in the Gospels of Mark and Matthew- despite Matthew’s general faithfulness to the earlier Biblical records of Mark. In Mark’s account of the events, they come upon an angel sitting calmly in the tomb, who predicts their reason for coming (Mark 16:1-13). In Matthew’s account, the guards are also present, and the angel is frightening in appearance. He calms them and tells them that Jesus is on his way to Galilee. On their way to tell the disciples, they encounter Jesus on the road (Matthew 28:1-11).

Mark’s writing is more direct and controlled- almost as if he had some say in the ending. Despite the obvious similarities of the accounts, Mark writes a historical narrative, and Matthew writes for suspense and drama. They suit the purposes of the people themselves and do not undermine the credibility of each.

Written Assignments

1. After reading pages 111-122 in Brown, in 3 or 4 paragraphs, answer the question: what is the synoptic problem and what is the significance of the “Q” gospel?  The book by Borg, etc. references an interesting little book where the editors attempt to “reconstruct” the “Q gospel.”  If you should look at this book, or any other book having to do with “Q,” be sure to keep in mind that it will have a reconstruction,not a real document.  There is no copy of “Q.”

The synoptic problem is a theological quandary which attempts to arrange the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke in a way which highlights the areas of overlap and also the individuality of each book. It is not surprising. These men were mortal conduits for the message of God. As any criminal investigator could tell you, real witnesses of the same events are not likely to remember the conversations verbatim. Quite the opposite, if all witnesses remember the exact same details and use the same words, then it is likely that the testimony was rehearsed. For this reason, the synoptic problem does not detract from the credibility of the first three Gospels- but does present a challenge to critical analysis. Were any of their recollections inaccurate or were they later changed by the copyists who translated and transcribed the Bible?

Continuing with the eye witness testimony metaphor, objectivity is best maintained through keeping each of the witnesses separate. However, due to the great import of the events being described, it would appear that the Gospels of Matthew and Luke are a reaction to the Gospel of Mark and that the former two Gospels drew critically upon some shared source. This hypothesis describes the famed existence of “Q”.

The identification- or even the existence- of “Q” has been controversial. Raymond Brown (1997) admits that Mark may have modeled his writing style after a previous written source of information that “he considered authoritative (and even sacred) enough to use” (151). Speculation is that the “Q” source which Matthew and Luke utilized was written in Greek, and it would explain why Matthew and Luke later related the events in the same general way- but with their own individual interpretations of the meaning of the Greek words. This “Q” source would have been rare and might have been copied or translated differently.

Bibliography

Brown, R 1997, An Introduction to the New Testament, USA: Doubleday.

With Brown to help you answer the following questions concerning the Gospel according to Mark (in addition use any other sources you may have on hand being sure to properly note them): Length: Writer’s discretion. Being correct is what is most important.

•    When was this Gospel written?

It was written near the time of Peter’s death- probably between 68 and 73 AD.

•    Why was this Gospel written?

The original text ended at the discovery of the empty tomb, chapter 16, verse 8- the ultimate “teaser” ending. The copyists are credited with adding the story of the resurrection from other writings of Mark. The book can be divided into two main sections: ministry and narration of the life and death of Jesus.

•    To whom was this Gospel written?

The original version contained many ominous warnings to outsiders, whom Mark believed were more likely to stray. Because of the narrative, poetic form, some have concluded that the Gospel of Mark was intended as a series of liturgical sermons to be read in church—or that it was shaped for the purpose of inspiring Easter attendees (Brown 1997, 152).

•    What is the Messianic Secret?

According to Brown (1997), the “Messianic Secret” is Jesus’ maintenance of a relatively low profile while on Earth. The first example in the book of Mark occurs in the first chapter- when Jesus prevents the demons from identifying him as the son of God.

•     How many “endings” are there in Mark?

The original version concluded with 16:8, as the women discover that the Jesus’ tomb is empty.

•     Why is there more than one “ending” in Mark?

The original version was said to stop abruptly at 16:8, as the women discover that the Jesus’ tomb is empty. The portion added later, presumably by copyists, was called the Marcan Appendix.

•    Who was the first to see the risen Jesus in Mark’s Gospel?

Mary of Magdala, Mary the mother of James, and Salome went to the tombs and spoke with Jesus (16:1-5 NJB).

Bibliography

Brown, R 1997, An Introduction to the New Testament, USA: Doubleday.

Catholic Online 2010, The New Jerusalem Bible, viewed 30 October 2010, <http://www.catholic.org/bible/book.php?id=48&bible_chapter=16>.

Lesson 2.2

Discussion Question 

Which of the three Synoptic Gospels do you prefer?  Why?

I prefer Mark’s account. Although there are gaps, he takes a wider theological stance on the issues at hand. Matthew’s version is too sensationalized for me. It is fine for Easter and the passionate liturgy, but its wording presents a situation of drama. The sacrifice of Jesus is not a theatrical production. Its portent is in the action- not the sensationalized presentation.

That being said, there are great reservations to be had regarding the additions and omissions which were made in the Gospel of Mark, and there are mysteries regarding the sources which Mark drew upon. Nonetheless, the mysteries which accompany these accounts do not serve to diminish their strength- but perhaps to greater entice those with a Matthean flair for theatrics.

Written Assignment

• Do an exegesison any of the sections of the Gospel of Matthew discussed by Brown in Chapter 8.
• In Part Three (Questioning of and Opposition to Jesus) of Brown’s book, Matthew capitalizes on the presence of two of the most famous Christian figures of the New Testament: John the Baptist and Jesus. John the Baptist writes from jail before his execution. Both Christian figures are bringing the awareness of the age (1997).
• After their initial appeals to the masses, Matt describes the reasons for the Pharisees’ hatred for Jesus. Plucking grain and healing on the Sabbath was Jesus’ way of proclaiming his godliness. As Jesus performs more miracles, he is increasingly identified as the Christ. This threatens the Jewish officials even more.
• The parables leave a tangible lesson for the Pharisees and future disbelievers. These parables also present a thinly-veiled reference to the future of Jesus’ followers and of Jesus himself, as well as present morality tales which spoke to the people.

 Answer the following questions regarding the Gospel of Matthew:

• When was this Gospel written?

The Gospel of Matthew is generally dated to somewhere between 70 and 100 AD (Brown, 1997). It is generally agreed upon that it was written before 110 AD, when Ignatius arrived on the scene. 80-90 AD is considered the most likely date.

•    Why was this Gospel written?

Brown (1997) writes that a copyist named Gundry drew on previous existing sources and blended the different accounts into one smooth narrative. He clarifies and presents a more friendly view of religion and a more grounded view of Jesus.

•    To whom was this Gospel written?

It was originally written in Greek and was associated with pro-Semitic views. The Papias accounts of events, according to Brown, suggest that either the text or Matthew himself had Jewish roots.

•    What were the 5 divisions meant to imitate?

The narrative-discourse cycles of Matthew’s message have been attributed to the styling of the Pentateuch of Moses. However, there is no consensus regarding the viability of this model, especially as it follows a rhetorical structure which rises and falls with the dramatic events (Brown, 1997).

•     How far back does Jesus’ genealogy go?  Why?

According to Matthew, Jesus’ genealogy extended through David all the way back to Abraham. However, it should be noted that the generations taken into account are actually measured through Joseph, Mary’s betrothed (Brown, 1997).

•     How many magi came to worship the child Jesus?

In the New Jerusalem Bible, it does not say how many magi came. In fact, it only calls them wise men and cites their offerings (Brown, 1997).

•    Who was the first to see the risen Jesus in Matthew’s Gospel?

In the Gospel of Matthew, both Mary’s and the guards outside the tomb were the first to see him. In this account, they were stopped first by an angel (NJB 28:1-11).

• After reading Luke-Acts recall the many references to the Spirit.  Find at least seven references to the Spirit in the life of Jesus and the life of the early Church. This brief assignment is asking for a total of seven references.

Romans 8:6-16           obey laws and live in Spirit

John 4:5-24                 Jesus and the Samaritan adulteress at the well

Apostles 19:1-7          Paul’s correlation between belief and the Holy Spirit

Acts 2:3-17                 speaking in tongues

John 1:29-36               John meets Jesus

Luke 4                         Jesus is led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted

John 5:1-11                 The Spirit as the Truth

Answer the following questions in reference to Luke-Acts:

•    When was this Gospel written?

Since Matthew and Luke both write without criticism of each others’ Gospels, it has been concluded that there is a strong probability that they wrote at about the same time. It is logical, then, that Luke probably wrote between 68 and 73 AD.

•    Why was this Gospel written?

Some of have theorized that this Gospel seems to pardon the Greco-Roman rulers. Luke seems to rely on the lenience of the Greco-Roman public opinion of Christians to allow their survival during the early years. The more popular belief is that Luke wrote to reassure the Christians that their existence did not have to be in opposition to the Greco-Roman government and to enlighten the new believers regarding the roots of Christianity (Brown, 1997).

•    To whom was this Gospel written?

According to Brown (1997), these Gospels seem to be a critique of the churches developed after the outreach of Paul. In particular, it seems that Luke did not agree that the current written accounts were both accurate and complete and wished to further clarify the later years of Jesus.

•    What is the place of the Holy Spirit in Luke-Acts?

The Holy Spirit has a very active role in the Lucan Gospels. In the early years- when the believers and doctrinal foundation were scattered and unorganized- the Holy Spirit was often called upon to fill the people and allow them to speak in tongues (NJB, 2010).

•     How far does the genealogy of Jesus go?

There are vague references to Joseph being “of the House of David”  and “of David’s line” (NJB, 2010, Luke 1:27, 2:4).

•     Give one specific example in the Gospel where Jesus is depicted as innocent.

Luke 2:42-52 Jesus worries his parents and mysteriously appears at the temple.

•    Give a specific example in Acts where the early Christians are depicted as innocent.

Luke 4:14-22 Jesus’ followers are eager to accept him- even without yet knowing much of who he is.

Bibliography

Brown, R 1997, An Introduction to the New Testament, USA: Doubleday.

Catholic Online 2010, The New Jerusalem Bible, viewed 30 October 2010, <http://www.catholic.org/bible/book.php?id=48&bible_chapter=16>.