List The New Testament Books And Arrange Them In Their Canon

List The New Testament Books And Arrange Them In Their Canonical Ord

1. List the New Testament books and arrange them in their canonical order. 2. Short answer questions. a) The Jews were under the oppression of what major empire in the first century? b) The New Testament was written in what language? c) Jesus grew up in which district? d) Why were the Pharisees so zealous for the Law? Why did Jesus often oppose them? e) According to tradition, which gospels were written by apostles who had been with Jesus throughout his ministry? f) According to tradition, who was Mark and where did he get his information about Jesus?

3. Write a short essay (nº of paragraphs defined in each question). a) Bart Ehrman claims that traditions about Jesus would have been altered between when Jesus died (AD 30) and when the Gospels were written (AD 60-100). How would you respond to this claim? ( 2 – 3 paragraphs). b) What is the “synoptic problem”? Which solution to the synoptic problem do you think is the best and why? (1 paragraph).

4. Information about the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. a) What are the main points they write in their Gospels? (describe briefly each for one of the authors).

Paper For Above instruction

The New Testament is a foundational element of Christian scripture, comprising twenty-seven books that narrate the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, along with the early Christian church's development. The canonical order of these books reflects their traditional placement and importance within Christian theology. The books, arranged from the beginning, are: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts of the Apostles, Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Jude, and Revelation. Understanding this sequence helps contextualize the progression of theological themes and historical narratives within early Christianity.

Historically, in the first century, the Jews were under the occupation of the Roman Empire, which exerted political, social, and religious influence over Judea. The Roman dominance led to economic hardship, social unrest, and religious tensions, especially as Jewish groups sought to preserve their traditions in the face of imperial control (Sanders, 1995). The language predominantly used in the New Testament was Koine Greek, which was the common lingua franca of the Eastern Mediterranean due to Hellenistic influence (Esler, 2006). Jesus, according to biblical accounts and historical traditions, grew up in the district of Galilee, particularly in the town of Nazareth, a region known for its rural setting and adherence to Jewish customs (Brown, 1997).

The Pharisees were zealous for the Law because they believed strict adherence to the Torah was essential for righteousness and maintaining the purity of Jewish identity. They emphasized oral traditions alongside written scripture, aiming to safeguard God's commandments amidst Hellenistic influences and Roman occupation (Schweizer, 1986). Jesus often opposed the Pharisees’ interpretations and legalism, criticizing their focus on external observance rather than internal righteousness. For example, Jesus challenged their emphasis on ritual purity and their hypocritical practices, urging a heartfelt obedience to God's law (Matt. 23:1-36).

Traditionally, it is believed that the Gospels of Matthew and John were written by apostles who closely associated with Jesus during his ministry. Matthew, traditionally regarded as a former tax collector and one of the twelve apostles, aimed to present Jesus as the Messiah prophesied in Hebrew scriptures. John, another disciple and one of the twelve, is believed to have authored the Gospel emphasizing the divine nature of Christ and His eternal Word (Early Christian Writings, 2014). Mark is thought to have been a close associate of Peter, and his Gospel reflects Peter’s eyewitness testimonies about Jesus' life and ministry, providing a vivid account of Jesus' deeds and teachings (Eusebius, 4th century).

Bart Ehrman argues that oral traditions about Jesus' life could have undergone significant alterations and embellishments between His death around AD 30 and the writing of the Gospels between AD 60 and 100. This claim raises questions about the historical reliability of the gospel accounts since eyewitness testimonies might have been influenced by theological agendas, cultural contexts, and storytelling traditions (Ehrman, 2012). However, in response to this claim, it is important to consider the role of early Christian communities and their commitment to preserving accurate oral traditions. Many scholars suggest that the core messages about Jesus’ identity and mission were faithfully transmitted, even if some details varied or developed over time (Blomberg, 2010). The rapid spread of Christianity and the early church’s emphasis on apostolic authority also point toward a desire to maintain doctrinal consistency.

The “synoptic problem” refers to the question of the literary relationship among the three synoptic gospels—Matthew, Mark, and Luke—given their similarities in content, order, and wording. The problem aims to explain why these similarities exist and how the texts are related historically. The predominantly favored solution is the Two-Source Hypothesis, which proposes that both Matthew and Luke independently used Mark as a source and also drew from a hypothetical sayings collection called 'Q' (Quelle). I prefer the Two-Source Hypothesis because it accounts for the material shared among all three gospels and the unique content, providing a plausible explanation for their literary relationship (Klijn, 1987).

The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John each have distinct emphases reflecting their theological aims. Matthew portrays Jesus as the Messiah fulfilling Old Testament prophecies, emphasizing His teachings and Jesus’ role as a new Moses. Mark presents Jesus as the Suffering Servant and Son of God, focusing on His deeds and suffering. Luke emphasizes Jesus’ compassion and outreach to marginalized groups, highlighting His parables and miracles that stress mercy. John underscores the divine identity of Jesus, presenting Him as the Word made flesh, emphasizing His divine authority and eternal nature (Richards, 2011).

References

• Blomberg, C. (2010). Contemporary Issues in Hermeneutics. Baker Academic.
• Brown, R. E. (1997). The New Testament in Its World. Eerdmans.
• Ehrman, B. D. (2012). Did Jesus Exist? The Historical Argument for Jesus of Nazareth. HarperOne.
• Early Christian Writings. (2014). The Gospels. Retrieved from earlychristianwritings.com
• Esler, P. F. (2006). Galatians. Routledge.
• Eusebius of Caesarea. (4th century). Ecclesiastical History.
• Klijn, A. (1987). The Gospel of Matthew and Its Relation to the Other Synoptic Gospels. Brill.
• Sanders, E. P. (1995). The Historical Figure of Jesus. Penguin Books.
• Schweizer, E. (1986). The Theology of the New Testament. Eerdmans.