1. Chapter Two 25

2. The Roman Catholic Church is often distinguished from other Christian Churches by its commitment to BOTH Scripture and Tradition (with a capital “T” as major sources for understanding Jesus and His message. A. Scripture Written, inspired Word of God Holy Spirit speaks through the sacred writers Pg.29 B. Tradition Teachings of the apostles, and experiences of the earliest Christians Holy Spirit at work in the community Many Protestant Churches rely almost entirely on the Christian Scriptures alone as the basis for their teachings and practices

3. Pg.14 Old Testament & New Testament are called “faith sources” Not to be read in the same way as we read history textbooks or newspaper stories. explanation Vs. meaning

4. The Development of the Gospels 30 Part Two

5. Three major steps in the Development of the Gospels 30 Stage One: Jesus’ life and works Stage Two: Early Church remembers, retells the stories, preaches Stage Three: Gospels written down

6. Three major steps in the Development of the Gospels 30 Stage One: Jesus’ life and works Stage Two: Early Church remembers, retells the stories, preaches Stage Three: Gospels written down

7. 10 bce 0 10 c.e. 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 Birth of Jesus Jesus’ early years in Nazareth Public life, death, rising Public Public 39 Stage One

8. Stage One: Jesus’ life and works 30 A. The basic facts: born 1. Jesus born a Jew around 5 B.C.E. public life 2. Began public life about age 30 Varied reactions 3. Varied reactions to his preaching: Preaching, wonder-working, teaching, proclaiming the kingdom Acceptance, skepticism, hostility; Crucified Crucified by Romans about 30 C.E. Grew up in Nazareth (in Galilee)

9. 32 1. The belief that Jesus rose from the dead. 2. Three days after his execution his followers started to experience him alive and present among them. B. The Resurrection

10. 32 3. The event that led early Christians to believe that Jesus was more than an ordinary man.

11. 32 a. The apostles were afraid and in hiding after Jesus’ execution. 4. The Pivotal Event experienced the risen Jesus b. Once they experienced the risen Jesus, though, they were changed! B. The Resurrection:

12. 32 c. They began to fearlessly proclaim c. They began to fearlessly proclaim their belief that Jesus is the Divine Messiah, “JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!”

13. divinity of Jesus 33 d. Calling Jesus “Lord” was the first Christians’ way of expressing their belief in the “JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!” = “JESUS IS DIVINE”

14. e. The Resurrection 32 is the central event for Christians: Belief in the resurrection is essential to Christian faith.

15. 33 1. “Jesus” C. The name “Jesus Christ” which means “Yahweh (God) saves ” is a common Hebrew first name, Yeshua” “ Yeshua” B. the Resurrection

16. 33 Translating the Hebrew word 2. “Christ” is not Jesus’ last name “Christ” is a title from Greek: meshach = christos anointed christos = “anointed one” = “messiah” “anointed one”

17. Three major steps in the Development of the Gospels 30 Stage One: Jesus’ life and works Stage Two: Early Church remembers, retells the stories, preaches Stage Three: Gospels written down

18. 10 bce 0 10 c.e. 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 Birth of Jesus Jesus’ early years in Nazareth Stage One Early Church preserves & retells stories & sayings of Jesus Public Public 39 Stage Two oral tradition period of

19. Question: “What two major factors moved the early church to start writing down the oral traditions?”

20. Two answers: 1. As the church realized that Christ was not coming back immediately, they needed to preserve the teachings for future generations. P. 38 2.The continuing need to instruct and inspire the already existing communities of faith around the Roman Empire.

21. Three major steps in the Development of the Gospels 30 Stage One: Jesus’ life and works Stage Two: Early Church remembers, retells the stories, preaches Stage Three: Gospels written down

22. Jesus’ early years in Nazareth 10 bce 0 10 c.e. 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 I Public life, death, rising Early Church Missionary activity Stories about Jesus JohnJohn MarkMark Public Public Luke and Matt 39 II Stories handed down orally Stage Three III Gospels Written Down Stage Three

23. 39 The Four Gospels Matt. (65-70 C.E) (90ish C.E.) (80’s C.E.) John (95ish C.E.) 70 C.E. 80 C.E. Luke 90 C.E. 100 C.E. Mark “Three Synoptic Gospels”

24. Four Portraits of Jesus 39 The Gospels: Part Three:

25. Cool Al’s notes Authorship of the gospels Introduction: It is very difficult to establish exact authorship of the gospels.

26. Cool Al’s notes Authorship of the gospels [Notes from the Harper Collins Study Bible (1993) ] MATTHEW: “Cumulative evidence suggests an unknown Greek-speaking Jewish Christian, probably a scribe… In the second century it was attributed to Matthew primarily to lend it authority.”

27. Cool Al’s notes Authorship of the gospels [Notes from the Harper Collins Study Bible (1993) ] MARK: “Nowhere in the second gospel is the author identified… The authorship of Mark remains an enigma [puzzle].”

28. Cool Al’s notes Authorship of the gospels [Notes from the Harper Collins Study Bible (1993) ] LUKE: “It may be finally impossible to prove or disprove the traditional identification of the author, but the name of Luke may be used without making too much of it.”

29. Cool Al’s notes Authorship of the gospels [Notes from the Harper Collins Study Bible (1993) ] JOHN: “The gospel itself neither mentions John nor names its author. … Its author can no longer be identified.” Its author can no longer be identified.”

30. Gospel of Mark Some Facts: earliestshortest 1. The earliest & shortest gospel LkMatt 2. Used by Lk and Matt P. 40

31. most intimate 3. The most intimate portrait of Jesus Some Themes: Suffering 1. Stresses Suffering of Jesus truly a human 2. Jesus is truly a human being – e.g. strong emotions S H I P. 41

32. two volumes 1. First of two volumes Gospel of Luke Some Facts: gentile Christian 2. Written by gentile Christian in Rome 3. Probably written in Rome with Acts of the Apostles Luke ACTS P. 42-43 for gentile Christians

33. Holy Spirit 3. Holy Spirit has central role Some Themes: compassionate, healing 1. Jesus as compassionate, loving and healing Outcasts and Sinners 2. Outcasts and Sinners have main roles C S H P. 42-43

34. Some Facts: Jewish 1. Written by Jewish Christians longest 2. The longest gospel P. 43-44 Jewish for Jewish Christians Gospel of Matthew

35. the Church 3. Interest in the Church Some Themes: Messiah 1. Jesus is the Messiah fulfills prophecies 2. Jesus fulfills prophecies of Old Testament itself: organization, communal life M P C P. 43-44

36. Gospel of John Some Facts: last 1. The last gospel to be written ”Greek,” 2. Very ”Greek,” philosophical, theological P. 45-46 synoptics 3. Represents a different gospel tradition from the synoptics

37. “meaning:” 3. Deep reflection on “meaning:” Some Themes: divine 1. Jesus as divine Son of God Symbolism 2. Use of Symbolism: water, bread, light, shepherd Love D S L WBLS P. 45-46

38. End of Chapter Two