In general, Burridge 's book, “Four Gospels one Jesus? Was and excellent volume to have read, it was definitely an excellent introduction to the theology and literary style of the gospels. It is filled with an extraordinary simplicity as well as profound content. On another note, the lack of Greek syntax and a much contemporary approach was somewhat refreshing. Burridge avoids technical terminology and if a Greek term is used, he carefully explains it thoroughly.
Some scholars think the book of Acts was written to Theophilus which means lover of God in Greek. However, because the tone of the book is apologetic, some think the book could also have been intended to present the Christian faith and church in a positive manner towards the Roman authorities (Laymon). Therefore, identification of who the book was written for is based on speculation because scholars cannot determine for certain the individuals or individual the book was addressed to (Laymon). Nevertheless, scholars do know that the work is read as an account of the life of the Christian movement (Laymon). The date of Acts is uncertain, but the remorseful tone gives clues that it could possibly be during a time when the church was under attack and enduring a lot of stress, plus, it provides encouragement for those going through stressful times as well
Bart D. Ehrman. The New Testament: A Historical Introduction to the Early Christian Writings. New York: Oxford University Press, Fifth edition, 2012 SUMMARY The New Testament: A Historical Introduction to the Early Christian Writings is an 536 page, illustrated, historical guide to early Christianity and many of the early writings of the time—not just those of the New Testament Canon. As the title boasts it is used as an introduction textbook for scholars studying the New Testament.
The Acts of the Apostles is the fifth book of the New Testament written by no other than Luke each section of the book focuses on a particular audience, it is written to tell of the founding of the Christian church as well as the spread of the word of God to the Roman Empire. Recorded within the first chapter of Acts we find what would be latter known as the Great Commission as well as the men and women who took it seriously as they began to spread the news of our risen Savior to uttermost part of the world. Acts and the Gospel of Luke are a two-part work Luke & Acts, both written by the same person(LUKE) dated around 80–90 AD. Acts is the story of Christianity in the 1st century; it begins with Jesus' Ascension into Heaven. In the early chapters
My thematic paper will be on wrath, more so the wrath of God. In this paper, I will define wrath, compare old vs. new testament, and give my personally thoughts on the matter. In addition, I will show the fear and love that god represents. Wrath is defined as,” a strong vengeful anger or indignation; retributory punishment for an offense or a crime: divine chastisement” (definition of wrath, 2016). Where per J.I. Packer, writer of “Knowing God”, states that, “Throughout the Old Testament, we also see God dealing with Israel the same way a loving father deals with a child.
No one can fully know the context, implications, and teachings of the New Testament without an understanding of the historical and cultural background. Knowing about the culture and customs of the New Testament time period greatly affects how we read the books. As we apply Scripture to our lives today, we should recognize that some verses in the Bible are more culturally bound than others. One example is in 1 Corinthians 1:2-16, where Paul addresses the subject of women wearing head coverings. Does this mean that women today always need to cover their heads during worship?
De-Introducing the New Testament: Texts, Worlds, Methods and Stories is a clear and comprehensive engagement with current New Testament scholarship, considering ways that we might reconsider how the New Testament is introduced. While it may appear that the information is focused solely for New Testament scholars, the consideration for the ways this subject is introduced also are important to tangential fields such as Hebrew Bible, Homiletics, Liturgics, and other fields that utilize the work of New Testament persons. Persons in other fields will find the close look at methodology and attention to the ways disciplines are introduced helpful. The use of clear examples at the beginning of each of the chapters ensure that this work is accessible and offers tangible illustrations that are supported and discussed throughout the chapter. For persons unfamiliar with the work in New Testament, these robust descriptions and in depth stories told at the beginning of each chapter will offer a place of access and ability to understand the more difficult and abstract discussions of the chapters.
Divided, violent, rebellious are all adjectives that describe the problems and the state of our current nation. Has the country that prides itself on freedom and liberty, lost these key founding principles? Is the United States really united? With all of today’s disputes, riots, and violence it may seem we stray from the ideas held in The Declaration of Independence, do we still realize and believe that “all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness” ? To fix these many problems and bring our country together in sight of our many differences we need to embrace and apply these unalienable rights to everyone.
The Bible is separated into two main sections, the Old and New Testaments. The Old Testament tells of the time before Jesus Christ comes into the world. On the other hand, the New Testament tells of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Many people view the Old and New Testament as being totally separate parts of the bible. The view point of these two different sections may be somewhat true for certain subjects, such as the list of unclean animals and the covenant associated with circumcision.
The Epistles were also writings, and poems that were instructions to the church. Lastly there is the Apocalyptic. The Apocalyptic is the book of Revelation which tells about an unseen world that depicts the good and evil.
The literature of the gospel is a narrative or story. It talks about the birth story, calling or vocation stories, miracle stories, parables pronouncement stories, encounter stories, passion stories, and resurrection stories. The book is also well organized and it is categorized as a gospel. The social context of the verse is at the sea of Galilee. Which lies in the lower portion of Jordan Valley in a mountain range that rises to 4,000 feet above sea level.
The gospels comprise subjective perspectives on the life of Jesus. Other books, for instance, the book of Acts with Luke’s historical account of the church and its activities during early Christianity, are considered historical texts. Other books were letters or epistles, the most prominent being Paul’s letters,
These Gospels are the utmost importance account of the life of Christ. The literary information was given by three distinctive accounts by the apostle Matthew, Mark and Luke. Each one of these men had special attachment to Jesus, some more than the other. One of them a doctor, a fisherman and a tax collector, each gives their views and accounts of Jesus's lives in different segments. Matthew is a Levi, and he was a tax collector by profession before he was called to be one of Jesus’s Apostles.
2 Peter and Jude are books found near the end of the New Testament. The authors of these books are Simon Peter, the apostle, and Jude, the brother of James and the half-brother of Jesus. Jude was written in about A.D. 65, and 2 Peter around A.D. 67, both during the reign of Emperor Nero. They are often simple “grazed through” by believers because of their shortness in nature. However, an intricate study of these works beneath their surface reveals many hidden gems.
The Bible is broken up in different sections which helps the reader to understand better how each piece is written, the author, the periods and the rich content. The Old Testament has 39 books, which are divided into five different units. The Pentateuch, historical books, poetical books, four major prophets, and lastly the twelve minor prophets. In each of these bible books the rich content latches on the to the heart and soul of a reader and feeds and nourishes a weary traveller.