Define kerygma
preaching to people who have never heard about Jesus; Greek for preaching
Define Gentile
a non-Jew
Define Testament
covenant
Define Incarnation
Jesus became man
Define Evangelist
a Gospel writer
Define Pentecost
the Holy Spirit was sent to the disciples to enable them to spread the Gospel
Define Ascension
Jesus went up to Heaven in body and spirit
Define Synoptic
Greek word meaning seeing the whole together
Define Quelle (Q source)
a list of Jesus' sayings
Define Salvation History
God's saving actions and the people's responses over many centuries
Define Messiah
Hebrew title meaning the anointed one of God
Define Gospel
Good News
What is our primary source about Jesus and his followers?
the New Testament
What are the most important books of the New Testament?
the Gospels, which tell of Jesus and his teachings
What is the source for the symbols of the evangelists?
the Prophet Ezekiel had a vision and wrote it in his book
What is the first stage of the Gospels?
Jesus' life and teachings
What is the second stage of the Gospels?
Oral Tradition
What is the third stage of the Gospels?
the actual writing of the Gospels
During what time was stage 1 in the formation of the Gospels?
30-33 CE
When is stage 2 of the formation of the Gospels?
30-50 CE
In what years did the third stage of the Gospels occur?
50-120
Where did the apostles 1st preach?
Jerusalem
Why did the apostles not have success preaching in Jerusalem?
the Jews did not believe Jesus is the Messiah
To whom did the apostles preach after Jerusalem?
to the Gentiles
3 Elements of the kerygma:
1- Jesus' works
2- Death, Resurrection, and Ascension
3- Passages from OT to show how Jesus fulfilled them
4 reasons why the Gospels weren't written down immediately:
1- wanted to spread the Good News quickly (excited)
2- not everyone could read
3- writing was challenging, slow, and laborious
4- Christians thought Jesus was returning in their lifetimes
4 reasons the Gospels finally written down:
1- apostles wanted to correct the distortions
2- eyewitnesses of Jesus were being martyred
3- the faith was spreading rapidly, so everyone needed the accurate story
4- Christianity is important and would last
How are the Old and New Testaments connected?
the NT fulfills the OT through Jesus
Why is the OT considered old and the NT considered new?
OT tells about God's covenant with the Jews, but the NT tells that God extended His salvation to all people through Jesus, who is the new covenant
Why are there 4 Gospels and not just 1?
each writer had a different message to give different audiences
When was Mark's Gospel written?
65-70 CE
Who was Mark's audience?
Christians suffering persecution by Romans and Jews
What was the message of Mark's Gospel?
Jesus suffered, died, and rose in glory; you will too
Who was Jesus in Mark's Gospel?
the suffering servant
When was Matthew's Gospel written?
80-90 CE
Who was Matthew's audience?
Jewish Christians
What was Matthew's Gospel message?
Jesus is the promised Messiah that they have been waiting for
How did Matthew prove his Gospel?
he wrote about Old Testament prophecies that Jesus fulfilled
Who was Jesus in Matthew's Gospel?
the master teacher (to compare to Moses)
When was Luke's Gospel written?
85 CE
Who was Luke's audience?
Gentile Christians
What was Luke's Gospel message?
Jesus came to save ALL people
Who was Jesus in Luke's Gospel?
a universal, compassionate Savior
When was John's Gospel written?
80-110 CE, much later than the other 3
Who was John's audience?
all Christians
What was John's Gospel message?
Jesus is the divine Son of God
Who was Jesus in John's Gospel?
the Incarnate Word of God
What type of language does John use in his Gospel?
symbolic and theological in tone
What is Mark's symbol and why?
a winged lion; his Gospel starts with John the Baptist "roaring like a lion" in the wilderness to prepare the way for Jesus
What is Matthew's symbol and why?
a winged man; his Gospel starts with the family tree of Jesus
What is Luke's symbol and why?
a winged bull; his Gospel starts with Zechariah making a sacrifice in the Temple
What is John's symbol and why?
a winged eagle; his Gospel is more lofty and soaring that the others
Why are the synoptic Gospels so similar?
Luke and Matthew probably compiled their Gospels using Mark's Gospel and the Q Source
Which Gospels are the synoptic Gospels?
Mt, Mk, and Lk