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Reference PointsNew TestamentContents of the New TestamentFour Gospelsfour accounts of Jesus life, death, and resurrection.Book of Acts Pauls lettersLetters attributed to Paul, but were written by Pauls disciplesBook of Revelation

Dates of AuthorshipFour Gospelsfour accounts of Jesus life, death, and resurrection.Mark66-70 CEMatthew80-85 CELuke and Acts85-90 CEJohn90-95 CE30 to 50 CEWhat Happened from Jesus death to the writing of the first Gospel?Oral preaching about Jesus by Aramaic speaking disciplesIn Galilee, Samaria, JudeaFormation of the first Christian community at JerusalemLeaders were Peter, John, and JamesA second major Christian community formed in Antioch (Syria)Pauls conversion 33-35 CE

Oral Proclamation When the preachers ventured into Greek territory, they had to change language, and sometimes re-interpret for people who were not Palestinian and not rural; Jesus parable of the laborer sowing seeds ultimately transformed into an allegory illustrating the preachers experience in the Hellenistic world where they were sometimes welcomed, often rejected, and occasionally persecuted (Mark 4)

Extreme FluidityUntil something is put in writing, it is adapted and altered

Scholars have learned from studying the growth of oral traditions in different cultures around the globe, transmitting stories to new audiences inevitably produces variations in phrases and emphasis, so the speaker adapts them

Oral Traditions constantly changeFor exampleMark: he who is not against us is for us (Mark 9:40)

Matthew: he who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters (Matt. 12:30)

Luke: uses both 7:50 and 11:23

Evolving Story of JesusLike other storytellers in the Greco-Roman world, early Christians probably gave public performances narrating tales about the healer prophet from Galilee, that grew and developed with each recitation

40 to 60 CEMissionary tours of Paul and followersEstablishment of Christian communities of Gentiles and GreeksMartyrs41-44 CE James the apostle beheaded by Herod Agrippa I John?62 CEJames, brother of Jesus killed64-65Peter killed under Nero66 CEJewish Revolt against Rome66-70 CE Mark writes wartime gospel, comparing Jesus suffering to persecution of Christians70 CE Roman destruction of Jerusalem, the Temple, and Christian community there80-90 CEMatthew and Luke compose their works, based on Mark and a Greek collection of Jesuss sayingsGospelFrom the Greek meaning good newsAuthors of the the Gospels are EvangelistsSynoptic Gospels, read together with one eye are Mark, Matthew and LukeTheology not HistoryAll the Evangelists were convinced that Jesus was not an ordinary figure of history, but a person of supernatural abilities whose teachings and sacrificial death had the power to confer salvation and immortality on those who believed in him.

Attributes of the GospelsParable, a signature style of Jesus teachingIt means placing beside or to compareUsually takes the form of a brief fictional narrativeAphorismsTerse, quotable statement (one-liners)For example, The Sabbath was made for the sake of man, and not man for the Sabbath. Mark 2:27PericopesA literary unit like a saying or parableA building block for the whole GospelDates of Pauls Letters1 Thessalonians50 CE2 Thessalonians*50 CE1 and 2 Corinthians54-55 CERomans56-57 CEColossians*61 CEPhilippians61 CEPhilemon62 CE

*possibly authored by someone other than PaulEpistleA formal letter intended for a wide public audience rather than for a specific group or individualDates of Pseudonymous LettersHebrews85-95 CE1 Peter85-95 CEEphesians85-95 CEJames85-95 CE1 and 2 Timothy110-130 CETitus110-130 CEJude130-150 CE2 Peter130-150 CEDate of Authorship of RevelationRevelation composed by John of Patmos95 CEkerygmaGreek proclamation Publicly preaching the Christian message, particularly to Greece and Rome