Introduction to the Holy Bible

Transcription

1 Introduction to the Holy Bible Session #6 (May 17 th, 2016) Presenter- Fr. Dave Snyder, Rector Saint Andrew s Episcopal Church in Mt. Holly

2 A Review of Session #5 What does the word GOSPEL mean? Good News! The first canonical Gospel was?? Mark (probably around 70 CE) What is the FOURTH GOSPEL?? The Gospel of John ( CE). What did Fr. Dave s NT professor teach him about how the Gospels have been understood and interpreted?? The Gospels as Photographs; Abstract Art; Portraits What is the difference between an APOSTLE and a DISCIPLE? Only 12 Apostles hundreds of disciples; APOSTLE= one who is SENT; DISCIPLE= a LEARNER.

3 Learning Objectives for Session #6 Appreciate the interesting differences between the 4 th Gospel and the Synoptic Gospels account of Easter. Understand the concept of a Fourfold Gospel as opposed to the traditional view of Four Gospels! Understand why Pentecost is considered the BIRTHDAY of the CHURCH? Understand why the Apostle Paul is considered the greatest Christian who has ever lived!

4 Easter: Four Gospels Four Unique Stories!! Listen to St. John s version of the Easter story (John 20:1-18) Divide into groups of 5-6. Group # 1-read Matthew version (Matthew 28:1-10); Group #2- read Mark s version (Mark 16:1-8); Group #3-read Luke s version (Luke 24:1-10) Note similarities between Synoptic version and the 4 th Gospel. Note differences between Synoptic version and the 4 th Gospel. Report back to the whole group.

5 An answer to Dwight s outstanding question: Fr. Dave s to Rabbi Simon: Good morning, Richard! A question surfaced at our Bible study last week that I couldn't answer (a frequent occurrence). From a Jewish perspective, when Messiah comes will he (or she) be expected to be of Davidic descent? Do modern Jews even trace lineage back to the original twelve tribes? Any insight you can provide would be greatly appreciated. Faithfully, Dave Snyder Rabbi Richard s reply: Fr. Dave, Traditional Jews do believe that a Messiah from the house of David will come. Most Jews do not believe in a person that is a Messiah. Some may believe in a Messianic Era of peace. Unfortunately, we have had a number of false messiahs that have caused great theological and social problems over the centuries: Bar Kochba in the 2nd century, Shabbatai Tzvi in the 17th Century, Jacob Frank in the 18th (?), etc. The only connection we keep with the original tribes is with Levi, since Levites and Kohanim (descendants of Moses brother Aaron, a Levite) were the priests and caretakers of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, and traditional Jews believe that the Temple will be rebuilt when the Messiah comes. Many Jews keep this connection and it can be verified by genetic testing these days. I am a Kohein, a descendant of Aaron. This is passed down through the male line. Most Jews names Cohen, Kahn, Katz, etc. are Kohanim, and those names Levine, Levy, Lavin, etc. are Levites. King David, of course, was from the Tribe of Judah. Richard

6 The Fourfold Gospel by Francis Watson Francis Watson is a Christian scholar and professor of New Testament Exegesis at the University of Durham. He formerly taught at the University of Aberdeen where he was the Kirby Laing Chair in New Testament. Watson is a respected scholar in the areas of biblical interpretation and the theological interpretation of Scripture. He has an MA and DPhil from Oxford.

7 The Critical Moment when did Jesus become the Son of God?? Mark At his Baptism in the River Jordan (see Mark 1:9-11) Matthew At his birth (see Matthew 1: 18-25) Luke At his conception (see Luke 1:26-38) John At the beginning of creation (see John 1:1-14)

8 The Acts of the Apostles Read Acts 1:11 The Connection between Luke and Acts (see Luke 1:3 and Acts 1:1) The mission of the Church: You shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth Acts 1: 8. PENTECOST the Birthday of the Church (see Acts 2: 22-36) Luke was also an EYE WITNESS to some of the events recorded in Acts Sections in Acts Description Approximate Date 16:10-16:18 Troas to Philippi 49 CE 20: Philippi to Jerusalem CE 27:L1 to 28:30 Caesarea to Rome CE

9 The Apostle Paul The Greatest Christian to ever live!! From SAUL to PAUL/Pharisee and Persecutor to Christian missionary and Evangelist! See (Acts 9:1-19; Acts 22:6-16; Acts 26:12-18) Paul responsible for establishing congregations throughout the Mediterranean world. 13 of the books of the NT were written by Paul Book Galatians I&II Thessalonians I&II Corinthians and Romans Ephesians; Philemon; Colossians; Philippians I Timothy and Titus II Timothy Approximate Date 47 CE CE CE CE-during Paul s 1 st imprisonment in Rome. 62 CE CE-during Paul s 2 nd imprisonment in Rome.

10 Missionary Journeys of the Apostle Paul Journey Approximate Date Biblical Reference Information First Journey CE Acts 13&14 Paul and Barnabas Second Journey CE Acts 15:36-18:22 Paul and Barnabas. Split over Paul at Damascus AD AD a dispute over John Mark leaving the journey (see Acts 15:36-41). Barnabas and John Mark went to Cyprus. Paul and Silas went to Asia Second Journey AD Minor. Third Journey CE Acts 18: 23-20:38 Paul establishes churches in Third Journey AD Europe (Greece and Philippi). First Imprisonment in Rome Imprisonment CE in Judea Acts 25: AD Paul appeals to Caesar as a Roman citizen Second Imprisonment and Voyage CE to Rome No Biblical evidence AD Eusebius (an early church Execution historian) says that Paul was Imprisonment in Rome AD beheaded on the orders of Emperor Nero as part of the Post-Imprisonment Journeys AD persecution of Christians that took place after the great fire in Rome (64 CE)

11 Paul and Justification by Faith JUSTIFICATION-to be declared not guilty ; a legal term. Justification by Grace Alone ( Sola Gratia ) thru Faith Alone ( Sola Fide ) by the Scriptures Alone ( Sola Scriptura )was at the heart of the Protestant Reformation of the 16 th century. Biblical foundation for this great doctrine comes from the writings of Paul (Romans 1:16-17) I saw the connection between the justice of God and the statement that "the just shall live by his faith." Then I grasped that the justice of God is that righteousness by which through grace and sheer mercy God justifies us through faith. Thereupon I felt myself to be reborn and to have gone through open doors into paradise. The whole of Scripture took on a new meaning, and whereas before the "justice of God" had filled me with hate, now it became to me inexpressibly sweet in greater love. This passage of Paul became to me a gate to heaven. (Luther's Works, Volume 34, P ). Ephesians 2:8-9: For by grace you have been saved thru faith it is the gift of God, not the result of works, so that no one may boast.

12 Reflection Question What advantages and disadvantages can you see in having Four Gospels rather than one Gospel?

13 Assignment for Session #7 (May 24th, 2016) Read Session #5 in Resource Book (pgs ) Read Biblical passages listed on pg. #30 (Exodus 15:1-21; Deuteronomy 11:18-21; Jeremiah 36: 20-32; Matthew 28: 18-20; John 19:19-22; Acts 21: 35-40; II Timothy 4:13). Google the words on the Word List on pg. #30 (Aramaic; Genevan Version; Jot and Tittle; Middle Ages; Paraphrase; Vulgate; Writing Prophets). Ponder the REFLECTION question #2 on pg. 35.