INTRODUCTION TO THE NEW TESTAMENT by Dr. Joan Gorski

Part 1 Opening Prayer

A. Introductory Questions 1. What stories do I remember from the New Testament?

2. What teachings of Jesus are important to me?

3. Do I know much about the apostles? Paul?

4. Are there any verses or sayings in the New Testament that are particularly

meaningful for me?

5. Why might there be 4 gospels instead of only 1?

B. Literary Genres ( a.k.a. Literary Forms) 1. “GENRE” = category/type of literature (art, music, etc.) characterized by a particular form, style, or

content. Some publications contain multiple genres:

Ex: newspapers have news, editorials, comics, sports results, financial reports, ads, obits, etc.

Similarly, the Bible is not just one “book,” but a whole “library,” containing many different literary

genres:

2. Major Genres within the New Testament:

Gospels - proclamations of "good news" about Jesus

intended to establish and/or strengthen people's faith in

him; quasi-biographical, semi-historical portraits of the

life, teachings, and actions of Jesus (Mark, Matt, Luke,

John)

o The NT Gospels contain many sub-genres of

literature (e.g., genealogies, parables, etc.)

Acts - a partial narrative account about the beginnings and

the growth of early Christianity; not a complete history of

the early Church, since it focuses only on the actions of a few missionary

leaders (Acts)

Letters - real letters addressing practical and theological issues relevant to

particular communities (esp. Paul's)

Church Orders - collections of instructions for the practical organization of

religious communities (1 Tim, Titus)

Testament - a document that gives a dying person's last wishes and

instructions for his/her successors (2 Tim & 2 Peter)

Homily/Sermon - an exegetical sermon that cites and interprets older biblical

texts in reference to Jesus (Heb)

Wisdom Collection - a collection of general instructions on how to live an

ethical Christian life well (James)

Epistles/Encyclicals - more stylized works in letter format; "circular letters"

intended for broader audiences (1 & 2 Peter)

Apocalypse - a vividly symbolic narrative that "reveals" God's views about a

historical crisis, in order to provide encouragement for a difficult present and

hope for a better future (Rev)

C. The New Testament Canon: An Overview by Genre (Numbers in parentheses after each book indicate the total number of chapters / verses / words in the

Greek version)

The NT is normally divided into four main parts (Gospels, Acts, Letters,

Apocalypse),

although the twenty-one "Letters" are best subdivided into three different sub-

categories:

I) Four "Gospels": "Good News" about Jesus Christ;

authorship attributed to the four "Evangelists"; narrative

portraits of Jesus written for various early Christian

communities; similar to ancient biographies in form (but

rather different from modern biographies!):

The Synoptic Gospels:

Matthew (28 / 1071 / 18345)

Mark (16 / 678 / 11304)

Luke (24 / 1151 / 19482)

The Fourth Gospel:

John (21 / 879 / 15635)

II) One "Acts": a partial narrative account of the growth of the Early Church;

a continuation of Luke's Gospel; contains historical materials, but is not a

complete "history" of apostolic Christianity (at least not by modern historical standards):

The Acts of the Apostles (28 / 1005 / 18451)

III) Twenty-One "Letters" or "Epistles": written by (or attributed to)

various early Christian leaders, known as “apostles”

a) Thirteen Letters attributed to Paul: real letters written by Paul (or his

associates) to particular communities or individuals, concerning various local

problems and issues:

Letters sent to Christian communities in the following cities:

Romans (16 / 433 / 7111)

1 Corinthians (16 / 437 / 6829)

2 Corinthians (13 / 256 / 4477)

Galatians (6 / 149 / 2230)

Ephesians (6 / 155 / 2422)

Philippians (4 / 104 / 1629)

Colossians (4 / 95 / 1582)

1 Thessalonians (5 / 89 / 1481)

2 Thessalonians (3 / 47 / 823)

Letters addressed to individual Christian leaders:

1 Timothy 6 / 113 / 1591)

2 Timothy (4 / 83 / 1238)

Titus (3 / 46 / 659)

Philemon (1 / 25 / 335)

Notes on the Pauline Letters:

* 1 Tim, 2 Tim, Titus are usually called the "Pastoral Letters" since they are addressed to leaders or

"shepherds" of Christian communities.

* Eph, Phil, Col, Phlm are sometimes called "Prison Letters" since Paul apparently wrote them while in prison

(Eph 3:1; 4:1; Phil 1:7, 13-14; Col 4:3, 10; Phlm 9-10).

* Rom, 1 Cor, 2 Cor, Gal, Phil, 1Thess, Phlm are often called the "Undisputed Letters," since most scholars

agree they were written by Paul himself.

* Eph, Col, 2 Thess, and 1 Tim, 2 Tim, Titus are often called the "Disputed" or "Deuteropauline Letters,"

since many scholars believe they were written by Paul's followers after his death, rather than by Paul himself;

but scholarly opinion is divided, with some scholars arguing for their authenticity.

b) One Biblical Sermon: interprets Jesus in light of the OT; in the past

sometimes attributed to Paul, but neither the author nor the audience is

explicitly mentioned:

Hebrews (13 / 303 / 4953)

c) Seven Catholic Epistles or General Letters: authorship attributed to other

apostles (for whom they are named!); most not written to

individual communities, but to broader audiences

("catholic" = "general, universal"):

James (5 / 108 / 1742)

1 Peter (5 / 105 / 1684)

2 Peter (3 / 61 / 1099)

1 John (5 / 105 / 2141)

2 John (1 / 13 / 245)

3 John (1 / 15 / 219)

Jude (1 / 25 / 461)

IV) One "Apocalypse": a highly symbolic narrative that interprets a historical

crisis and provides hope for a better future:

The Book of Revelation (22 / 404 / 9825)

D. Who Really Wrote the Gospels?

I) Revelation and Scripture: God as Author AND Humans as Authors Documents: Dei Verbum (Vatican II: "Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation"); Catechism of Catholic Church (§§ 51-141); Pontifical Biblical Commission: "Historical Truth of the Gospels" (4/21/64); "Interpretation of the Bible in the Church" (4/23/93) A) Revelation of God's Self: in Creation, in Human Life, in the People of Israel, in God's Son Jesus Transmitting God's Revelation ("Tradition"): apostolic preaching, sacred scripture, church teaching

B) Revelation in Sacred Scripture: Written under the Inspiration of the Holy Spirit, with God as Author "Catholic" Christian Canon: universal message and audience; God's truth "for the sake of salvation"

C) Revelation in Human Language: Humans as "true authors" using their own "powers and abilities" Awareness of Literary Genres; Four-fold Role of the Evangelists: selectors, arrangers, shapers, proclaimers

II) Evangelists as Authors of "Good News": A) Literary / Textual 1. Three Stages of Gospel Formation (cf. DV 19, CCC 126): Stage One: words and deeds of Jesus; Stage Two: oral traditions passed on; Stage Three: written collections compiled; full Gospels written 2. Original Titles are Unknown (cf. first verses or "incipits" of Gospels): canonical titles added later: literally the "Gospel according to ____" rather than the "Gospel of ____" 3. Initial Texts were Anonymous (the authors are not named in the texts): possible self-references: Mark 14:51-52; Matt 13:52; Luke 1:1-4; John 21:20, 24; 19:35 ? B) Canonical / Traditional Patristic Traditions: Papias (~125 AD; in Eusebius, E.H. 3.39.15-16); Clement of Alexandria (~180 AD; E.H. 6.14.6); etc.

1. Matthew - apostle (Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13); Galilean tax collector (Matt 9:9; 10:3; "Levi" in Mark 2:14; Luke 5:27?)

2. Mark - Jerusalem youth (Acts 12:12, 25 "John Mark"); missionary with Paul (Acts 13:5, 13; 15:36-40; 2 Tim 4:11; Phlm 24); "cousin" of Barnabas (Col 4:10); Peter's "son" (1 Pet 5:13); Peter's "interpreter" (Papias)

3. Luke - client of Theophilus (Luke 1:1-4); "co-worker" of Paul (Phlm 24; 2Tim 4:11); a Greek "physician" (Col 4:14)

4. John - brother of James, son of Zebedee (Mark 3:17, par.); the "beloved disciple"? (John 13:23; 19:26-27; etc.); the "elder"? (2John, 3John); the same "John" who wrote Revelation? (Rev 1:4,9) - probably not (see Eusebius, E.H. 3.39; 4.14; 7.25)

C) Historical / Critical Various types of "authorship"; Multiple stages of composition and expansion; Implied authors Communities to/for whom the Evangelists wrote; When/Where; Socio-historical context; Implied readers

1. Mark - bi-lingual Aramaic/Greek interpreter; persecuted Gentile community; late 60's – 70 (Jerusalem? Rome? later Alexandria?)

2. Matthew - Jewish-Christian scribe; educated community arguing with other Jews; 70's-80's (Galilee? Antioch?)

3. Luke - Gentile Christian historian; wealthier urban community becoming complacent; 80's (Antioch? Greece?)

4. John - Jewish Christian believers, in conflict with the "synagogue across the street"; 90's (Syria? later Ephesus?)

D) Symbolic / Spiritual Four "living creatures"(Ezek 1:1-14; Rev 4:6-9; 6:1-7; etc.); Jerome (~398 AD; Preface to Comm. on Matt.)

1. Matthew - begins with the HUMAN ancestry of Jesus (1:1-18); ends

with Jesus' promise to be "with us always" (28:20)

2. Mark - begins with John the Baptist, roaring like a LION (1:2-8); ends

with challenge: "do not be afraid or silent" (16:1-8)

3. Luke - begins and ends in the Jerusalem Temple, where OXen are

sacrificed and God is praised (Luke 1:5-23; 24:53)

4. John - begins like a soaring EAGLE: cosmic hymn to the Logos (John

1:1-18); ends with divine life (20:30-31; 21:24-25)

E. Basic Outlines and info about the 4 Gospels

1. Mark

Introduction: John the Baptist & Jesus (1:1-15, incl. the theme of Jesus’ preaching 1:14-15)

Early Ministry: healing & preaching to Jews in Galilee (1:16 – 6:52)

Expanded Ministry: mostly outside of Galilee to non-Jews (6:53 – 8:21)

Central Section: Jesus and his disciples “On the Way” to Jerusalem (8:22 – 10:52)

(incl. three passion predictions [8:31; 9:31; 10:32-34] framed by two healings of blind men)

Final Ministry: in Jerusalem, incl. Apocalyptic Discourse (11:1 – 13:37)

Passion Narrative: Last Supper, Trials, Crucifixion (14:1 – 15:47)

Conclusion: Report about the Empty Tomb (16:1-8)

[Later endings added to Mark’s Gospel: 16:9-20]

Material found only in Mark: 1:1 (Introductory Verse); 3:19b-21 (Jesus' Family Comes for Him); 4:26-29

(Parable of Seed Growing of Itself); 7:31-37 (Deaf Man in Decapolis); 8:22-26 (Blind Man of Bethsaida);

14:51-52 (Young Man Runs Away after Jesus' Arrest); [16:14-18 - Commissioning of the Eleven]

Unique Features?

Who is Jesus in Mark?

What is discipleship in Mark?

2. Matthew

Genealogy & Infancy Narrative: 1–2

Narrative: 3–4

First Discourse: “Sermon on the Mount”: 5–7

Narrative: 8–9

Second Discourse: “Missionary Instructions”: 10

Narrative: 11–12

Third Discourse: “Parables Collection”: 13

Narrative: 14–17

Fourth Discourse: “Community Instructions”: 18

Narrative: 19–22

Fifth Discourse: “Sermon on Eschatology”: 23–25

Passion & Resurrection Narrative: 26–28

Material found only in Matthew: 1:1; 1:18–2:23; 5:17-20, 21-24, 27-29, 31, 33-38, 43; 6:1-8, 16-19; 7:6,

15-17, 28-29; 9:27-31, 35-38; 10:22-23; 11:1, 28-30; 13:24-30, 36-43, 44-52; 14:28-31; 16:17-19; 17:24-

27; 18:15-21, 21-35; 19:10-12; 20:1-16; 21:28-32; nearly all of ch. 23; 25:1-13, 31-46; 27:3-10, 24-25, 52-

53, 62-66; 28:11-15, 16-20

Material in other Gospels but significantly different in Matthew: 1:2-17; most of ch. 5–7 (esp. 5:3-12; 6:9-

15; 7:15-20); most of ch. 10; 12:33-37; 16:13-23; much of ch. 18; 22:1-14; 25:14-30.

Unique Features?

Who is Jesus in Matthew?

What is Discipleship in Matthew?

3. Luke

Literary Preface & Infancy Narrative: 1:1 – 2:52

Preparation for Ministry: 3:1 – 4:13

Galilean Ministry: 4:14 – 9:50

Journey to Jerusalem: 9:51 – 19:27 Jerusalem Ministry: 19:28 – 21:38

Passion Narrative: 22:1 – 23:56

Resurrection Appearances & Ascension: 24:1-53

Material found only in Luke: 1:1-4; 1:5–2:52; 3:10-14; 4:14-30; 5:1-11; 6:24-26; 7:11-17; 8:1-3; much of

9:51—18:14; 19:1-10; 19:39-44; 22:15-17, 31-32, 35-38; 23:2-16, 27-31, 34, 39-43, 46; 24:13-35, 36-49,

50-53

Material in other Gospels but significantly different in Luke: 3:1-2, 23-38; 6:20-26; 7:36-50; 9:18-22; 11:1-

8; 14:16-24; 19:12-27; 21:34-38; 22:15-38; 24:1-12

Unique Features?

Who is Jesus in Luke?

What is Discipleship in Luke?

4. John

Prologue: 1:1-18 (Logos Hymn: The Word in the Beginning with God; The Word becomes Flesh)

“The Book of Signs”: 1:19 – 12:50 (Wedding at Cana, Dialogue with Nicodemus, Samaritan Woman

at the Well,

Healing at the Pool of Bethesda, Bread of Life Discourse, Man Born Blind, Raising of Lazarus, etc.)

“The Book of Glory”: 13:1 – 20:31 (Washing the Disciples' Feet, Farewell Discourses, Jesus’ Prayer,

Passion

Narrative, Crucifixion Scene, Resurrection Appearances, esp. to Mary Magdalene and Thomas)

Unique Features?

Who is Jesus in John?

What is Discipleship in John?