Overview of the Gospels & New Testatment (Topic 3)

Why would people find the message of Jesus' gospel radical and subversive in the 1st century?

• It aligned perfectly with the existing power structures of the day.

• It offered a message of peace that was widely accepted.

• It challenged the existing societal norms and religious expectations of his day.

• It was written in a language that was not understood by many.

Answer explanation

Pay attention to how Jesus talks about the "good news." I'd argue that if the gospel doesn't sound challenging to us today then we are probably reading it wrong.

Match the following: Gospel with Verse (based on the give-away clues)

• The Kingdom of God is like a woman...

• 
• And eternal life is this: to know Jesus

• 
• Whatever you did for the least ones...

• 
• You will be universally hated b/c of me

• 

Answer explanation

See Chart Comparing the 4 Gospels (Topic #3 on MYWJ)

What did Caesar's gospel promote during the Pax Romana?

• 
• 
• 
• 

Answer explanation

I think it is interesting to consider the parallel's between Caesar and the "American Gospel" that we pledge our "allegiance' to.

Which Testament contains the larger number of texts (books)?

• Old Testament (TaNaK)

• New Testament

Answer explanation

If you forget the basics of OT/NT structure & composition, I'd recommend rewatching this video.

Which Testament took longer to write & become organized into its current canon (collection)?

• Old Testament (TaNaK)

• New Testament

Answer explanation

If you forget these basic facts about the OT/NT, I'd recommend re-watching this video.

Which Testament holds a more prominent (important) place in the minds of Christians?

• Old Testament (TaNaK)

• New Testament

Answer explanation

If you forget the basic facts about the OT/NT, I'd recommend re-watching this video.

The word ​ (a)   means news that brings great joy. We are used to calling these ​ (b)   . Messangers, or heralds, of this kind of news are known as ​ (c)   . There are four portrayals of the good news in the Christian narrative, which tells the story of God's covenantal relationship, commonly known as the ​ (d)   . 3 of these 4 accounts are called ​ (e)   accounts because of how similar they are to one another.

• euangelion
• gospels
• New Testament
• evangelists
• synoptic
• Old Testament
• Quelle (Q)
• apostles
• gentiles

Answer explanation

This video might be a helpful review for some of these terms.

Match the following term with description/definition.

• Non-Jewish

• 
• source of "lost" sayings of Jesus

• 
• Undermine the power and authority

• 
• The sent ones

• 

Answer explanation

The word apostle is a mission-based word and is often associated with missionary work--i.e., Jesus' followers were called to spread the message (be apostles).

In Jesus' day, anyone who was not-Jewish (like the Romans) was to be avoided.

Jesus' gospel and movement was indeed meant to be rebellious and subversive, but not in a violent way.

Quelle (Q) is a German word, and it is believed to be used by both Matthew and Luke when the authors wrote their respective gospels.

It is widely believed that the four gospels were written while Jesus was alive and on earth.

• True Statement

• False Statement

Answer explanation

Jesus was likely crucified around 30-33AD and the first NT writings (not-gospels by the way), were not written until about 50 AD. The first Gospel (Mark) was likely written about 35 years after Jesus' death & resurrection.

Prior to Christianity, the word gospel did not exist.

• True Statement

• False Statement

Answer explanation

This was actually a term that pre-dates Christianity by hundreds of years (early examples include ancient Greece). It's a term that meant, history-making, world-shaping reports of political, military, or societal victories. Refer back to the handout, Understanding the Word Gospel if you need to (Topic 3 on MYWJ).