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Chapter 1: The New Testament World

1. Hellenistic Period: The Hellenistic Period was a time of cultural influence from ancient Greece that spanned from the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BCE to the Roman conquest of Egypt in 30 BCE. It resulted in the spread of Greek culture and ideas throughout the Eastern Mediterranean, including the lands where the New Testament events occurred.
2. Maccabees and Hasmonean Period: The Maccabees were a Jewish family that led a revolt against the Seleucid Empire in the 2nd century BCE. They established the Hasmonean dynasty and briefly achieved Jewish independence before the Roman conquest.
3. Second Temple Period: This period refers to the era when the Second Jewish Temple stood in Jerusalem, following the return from Babylonian exile. It plays a significant role in the background of the New Testament events.
4. Pharisees: The Pharisees were a Jewish religious group known for their strict interpretation of the Torah and their emphasis on oral tradition. They believed in the resurrection of the dead and were often in conflict with Jesus.
5. Sadducees: The Sadducees were another Jewish religious group, often associated with the priestly elite. They did not believe in the resurrection or in the importance of oral tradition.
6. Essenes: The Essenes were an ascetic Jewish sect known for their communal lifestyle and religious practices. They likely produced the Dead Sea Scrolls.
7. Zealots: The Zealots were Jewish revolutionaries who sought to overthrow Roman rule through armed resistance.
8. Samaritans: The Samaritans were a religious group with a distinct version of the Torah and a tense relationship with Jews. They lived in Samaria and had their own religious practices.
9. Gentiles (God-Fearers): Gentiles were non-Jewish people. God-Fearers were Gentiles who admired Jewish monotheism and ethical teachings but did not fully convert to Judaism.
10. Herod the Great: Herod the Great was a Roman-appointed king of Judea known for his ambitious building projects and brutal rule. He is mentioned in the New Testament in connection with the birth of Jesus.
11. Herod Antipas: Herod Antipas was a son of Herod the Great and a ruler of parts of Judea during the time of Jesus. He is associated with the trial of Jesus.
12. Pontius Pilate: Pontius Pilate was the Roman governor of Judea during the time of Jesus. He played a key role in the trial and crucifixion of Jesus.
13. Diaspora: Diaspora refers to the scattering of Jewish communities outside of their homeland, particularly after the Babylonian exile. It had a significant impact on Jewish identity and the spread of Judaism.
14. Septuagint (LXX): The Septuagint is an ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) that was widely used in the Hellenistic and Roman world. It is often abbreviated as LXX.
15. Social Structures of Honor and Shame: In the ancient Mediterranean world, honor and shame were central to social dynamics. Honor was gained through virtuous behavior and lost through shameful actions, and these concepts influenced social interactions.

Chapter 2: The New Testament Writings

1. Development of the Christian Canon: This chapter likely discusses the process by which the books of the New Testament were selected and recognized as authoritative by early Christian communities.
2. Text Criticism: Text criticism is the scholarly discipline that examines and compares different manuscripts of a text to determine the most accurate and original version.

Chapter 3: Jesus

1. Pre-Easter Jesus and Post-Easter Jesus: Pre-Easter Jesus refers to the historical Jesus who lived and taught before his crucifixion and resurrection. Post-Easter Jesus refers to the risen Christ who appeared to his followers after his resurrection.
2. Elements/Facets of Jesus’ Ministry: This would involve a discussion of the various aspects of Jesus’ teaching, healing, and interactions with people during his ministry.
3. Prominent Issue/Topic Addressed by Jesus: This likely relates to the central theme of Jesus’ preaching, which was the Kingdom of God.
4. Implications of Jesus’ Preaching of the Kingdom of God: This may refer to how Jesus’ message challenged traditional beliefs about God’s presence and power.
5. Style or Conduct of Jesus’ Ministry: This would involve discussing Jesus’ approach to teaching, healing, and interacting with people.
6. Conflicts with Religious Leaders: Jesus had conflicts with religious leaders, particularly the Pharisees and Sadducees, over matters of interpretation and practice of Jewish law.

Chapter 4: The Gospels

1. Genre of the Gospels: The Gospels are a genre of ancient literature that combine biography and theology to narrate the life, teachings, and significance of Jesus Christ.
2. Results of Demon Possession in the Gospels: The Gospels describe various outcomes and symptoms associated with demon possession, including illness, mental distress, and supernatural abilities.
3. Characteristics of Jesus’ Parables: Parables are short stories with moral or spiritual lessons. The Gospels contain many of Jesus’ parables, each designed to convey a deeper message.
4. Characteristics of Jesus’ Miracles: The Gospels also record numerous miracles performed by Jesus, including healings, exorcisms, and nature miracles.
5. Passion Narrative: The Passion Narrative refers to the accounts of Jesus’ arrest, trial, crucifixion, death, and burial.
6. Synoptic Gospels: The Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) share many common stories and themes, and they can be studied in parallel to highlight their similarities and differences.
7. ‘Q’: Q is a hypothetical source or document that is believed to have contained sayings and teachings of Jesus, used as a source by both Matthew and Luke but not found in Mark.

QUESTION

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