New Testament Class Notes-Lecture 1 and 2

Lecture 1 – What is the Gospel?

Lecture 1 - video 1

We do not always go to the books of the gospel to find out what the gospel is, many times we go to Paul or other writers.

Examples:

1 Corinthians 15:1 (ESV)

1 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand,

1 Corinthians 15:3–4 ESV

3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,

Paul is condensing the story that we would find in the gospels.

Paul calls this THE Gospel in verse 1.

Likely the gospels hadnt been composed at this time when Paul writes this verse.

Romans 1:1–4 (ESV)

1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3 concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 4 and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,

These are two texts that we go to a lot of times to define what the gospel is. The question prof is asking though is why do we as evangelicals do that? Why to do we go to Paul to define the gospel instead of “the gospels?”

End of video 1. The point prof is trying to make, i think, is that before there was the gospels, there was a gospel. (he said it in the powerpoint like 4 times)

Lecture 1 - Video 2

Do the gospels not communicate the gospel?

Mark 1:1 ESV

1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Prof is trying to get us to see the gospels in a particular way.

The greek manuscripts show the titles of the gospel books as the “gospels according to ___________.”

(notes in powerpoint)

Justin Martyr refers to the books of the gospels as “gospels”

Didache uses the phrase also when talking about these books by the disciples (first four books)

We tend to give interpretive priority to what Paul says instead of the gospel writers, even though the gospels are placed first in the new testament.

Why do we put clear theological propositions over gospel stories.

Why do we prefer Paul over narrative?

If Jesus lived and commanded the good news, wouldnt it make more sense to go to what He says instead of what Paul appeals to ?

Narrative is more difficult because you cannot look at one particular story in the gospel without looking how it fits in the context of the larger story. It takes more work to process through the narrative of gospel than Pauls condensed version.

What Paul not Jesus?

Pauls writings would have been based on “Jesus Traditions” before the gospels were written.

(1 Corinthians 7, 11, or 15)

Importance of placement of the Gospels in the Canon.

Why there?

The canon seems to give priority to them, and many times we dont.

end of video 2

Lecture 1 - Video 3

It may be tradition of the reformers that we choose Paul over gospels.

Luther:

Calls Romans the “chief part of the New Testament”

Calvin:

Understanding Romans means understanding the whole scripture

Piper:

“romans is the most important theological, christian work ever written”

Early Church Voices:

Irenaeus

“the gospels are the 4 pillars of the church”

Origen

“the first fruits of the new testament”

end of video 3

Lecture 1 - Video 4

The NT canon isnt organized chronological, but by theological significance.

It isnt until the reformation that Pauls writings began to be elevated above the gospels.

All scripture is inspired and god breathed, but Prof will spend the semester arguing that the canon sets the standard for what is primary.

Lecture 2 - What are the gospels?

Lecture 2 - Video 1

We see the fuller gospel in the gospels that includes the goodnews of the kingdom, which is greater than Jesus died on the cross for our sin. Jesus is bringing so much more than forgiveness of sin.

Genre of the gospels

(genres tell us what to expect of the book)

Titles are important too - ex. Gospel according to ______________

Patterns:

The writers follow a similar pattern in all 4 gospels or basic outline

john the baptist prepares the way

Jesus ministry and increasing opposing Jewish rulers

Entry into Jerusalem

Passion, death, Resurrection

But they also all recall things within their own perspective.

end of video

Lecture 2-Video 2

attempts at classifying the gospel

all these notes are word for word in the powerpoint

Lecture 2 - Video 3

Prof believes in Ipissma Vox (very voice or sense of Jesus) instead of Ipissma Verba (very words of Jesus)

Gospels are similar to Greek Biois but have other elements

Theological, biographical accounts about Jesus

end of video