New Testament Literature
I cannot begin to say enough positive things about this class. Pastor Stephen Smith is a wonderful teacher, who knows his stuff when it comes to the New Testament. In addition, to the pastors know-how this also happened to be a blended class. Therefore I was able to go to campus for a few days and take the class in addition to the online portion. Two wonderful things happened while I was on the campus:
- The blended class landed on my birthday and Dr. Bird surprised me with a Birthday cake. Celebrating my birthday on campus at GBS as compared to a jail cell is a testimony to God;s power and goodness. It really meant a lot to me.
- Pastor Smith, was running the same New Testament Literature class concurrently with the residential campus students. Therefore we were able to actually sit in on a class with the campus students. This was a major honor and extremely cool.
W4 Reflection Paper 1
Please reflect on what you have learned so far in this course, and on the value of this course for your development into an educated Christian. As you reflect, consider the following questions:
The things that I did not know before are as follows:
1) The lesson on “How we got our Bible” provided me with multiple insights.
2) It is said that Alexander the Great sat down and wept when he conquered the world. He was still young; what else could he accomplish?
3) The historical account of how the Romans came to rule in Israel.
4) The historical account of how the Maccabees regained Jerusalem.
5) The historical account of how the Pharisee’s and Sadducees came into power.
6) The historical account of how the Herod the Great came into his position.
7) The lesson on “The Stories that everybody knew” provided me with many dates, and royal successions in regards to ancient Jewish history that I did not know. These stories also provided me with a greater understanding of the New Testament accounts.
8) How Emperor Vespasian sent his son (Titus) to destroy Jerusalem in 70 AD. In short: I knew the temple was destroyed then, however; I did not know any of the details behind it.
9) Why the Gospels were needed.
10) The focus/purpose of each of the Gospels.
11) The reasons for Judas kiss of betrayal of Jesus. It turns out that it was because Jesus looked just like an ordinary disciple.
12) I learned about some key websites and programs: Glow, Saint John’s Nottingham, and faithlife.com.
13) Dr. Douglas Moo’s PDF on the Chronological order of the New Testament was very insightful.
14) The problem that occurred after Emperor Claudius died. The Jews returned to Rome and the Gentiles who had assumed leadership roles in the church were expected to step down after all of their hard work.
The remainder of the things that I learned in class were very informative, however; the above mentioned topics are the things that I was unfamiliar with or knew nothing about.
I have found this this class has aroused a hunger and thirst for the bible that I have been lacking, as of late. It is easy in the course of Bible College to take all of the stuff we are learning and relate it to work. Instead it should always be a blessing and a privilege to contemplate the marvelous mysteries of God; that He has revealed through His Scriptures. When deadlines are due, your family needs you, and you still have to work a full-time job; you can easily miss the very reason that you started down this road to begin with (to get closer to God, and become a better servant of His).
Through the course of this class, I have seen the error in my approach (as of late). In addition, I have felt that spark of magic, appreciation, and wonder growing in my heart, once again. I feel that the Lord and I are drawing closer together, due to my pursuit of Him in this class. In 1 Peter 3:15 it says to “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” This passage falls under the category of a command and not a suggestion. It is my belief that because I am obeying the biblical command of 1 Peter 3:15 through my research in this class, that He is rewarding my obedience with a greater intimacy with Him. This is just my belief as to why I am feeling a growing within myself in regards to the spiritual nature. However, I could be wrong as to the exact reason for this growth. Either way, the spiritual growth within me is real, and I do not want it to go away.
Yes, I have gained a deeper love and appreciation for the Gospel writings. I have found that in my short six years of walking with the Lord, that I have read the Gospels on multiple occasions. The last few years or so have left me with a mindset of “oh, it’s time to read about (fill in the blank) again.” However, since the beginning of this class I have been provided with a magnified view of the Gospels. A lot of the questions that I have often wondered about have been addressed in this class, and has therefore brought the pages of scripture back to life for me. Please do not get me wrong, I have always loved and appreciated the bible, as a matter of fact, I owe the very air that I daily breathe to reading it. However, when you read the same Gospels over and over, you anticipate how the story will end.
This class has put the Gospels under a microscope and showed me things that I have missed, or would have never seen. I have learned about many things, such as the intended audiences, the historical culture background, the focus of the Gospels, and key phrases, places and faces in the Gospels. All of this together has really provided me with fresh understanding and I feel like I am reading the Gospels once again for the first time. This in itself is an answer to prayer. I have often prayed to the Lord and shared with Him, that I wish I could go back to the first time that I read the Gospels; when it was all new to me. The Lord has used this class to answer that prayer. This is why I believe that I have gained a deeper love and appreciation for the Gospel writings.
Please reflect on what you have learned so far in this course, and on the value of this course for your development into an educated Christian. As you reflect, consider the following questions:
- What have I learned that I didn’t know before? (Be specific)
The things that I did not know before are as follows:
1) The lesson on “How we got our Bible” provided me with multiple insights.
2) It is said that Alexander the Great sat down and wept when he conquered the world. He was still young; what else could he accomplish?
3) The historical account of how the Romans came to rule in Israel.
4) The historical account of how the Maccabees regained Jerusalem.
5) The historical account of how the Pharisee’s and Sadducees came into power.
6) The historical account of how the Herod the Great came into his position.
7) The lesson on “The Stories that everybody knew” provided me with many dates, and royal successions in regards to ancient Jewish history that I did not know. These stories also provided me with a greater understanding of the New Testament accounts.
8) How Emperor Vespasian sent his son (Titus) to destroy Jerusalem in 70 AD. In short: I knew the temple was destroyed then, however; I did not know any of the details behind it.
9) Why the Gospels were needed.
10) The focus/purpose of each of the Gospels.
11) The reasons for Judas kiss of betrayal of Jesus. It turns out that it was because Jesus looked just like an ordinary disciple.
12) I learned about some key websites and programs: Glow, Saint John’s Nottingham, and faithlife.com.
13) Dr. Douglas Moo’s PDF on the Chronological order of the New Testament was very insightful.
14) The problem that occurred after Emperor Claudius died. The Jews returned to Rome and the Gentiles who had assumed leadership roles in the church were expected to step down after all of their hard work.
The remainder of the things that I learned in class were very informative, however; the above mentioned topics are the things that I was unfamiliar with or knew nothing about.
- How has this class benefited me spiritually thus far?
I have found this this class has aroused a hunger and thirst for the bible that I have been lacking, as of late. It is easy in the course of Bible College to take all of the stuff we are learning and relate it to work. Instead it should always be a blessing and a privilege to contemplate the marvelous mysteries of God; that He has revealed through His Scriptures. When deadlines are due, your family needs you, and you still have to work a full-time job; you can easily miss the very reason that you started down this road to begin with (to get closer to God, and become a better servant of His).
Through the course of this class, I have seen the error in my approach (as of late). In addition, I have felt that spark of magic, appreciation, and wonder growing in my heart, once again. I feel that the Lord and I are drawing closer together, due to my pursuit of Him in this class. In 1 Peter 3:15 it says to “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” This passage falls under the category of a command and not a suggestion. It is my belief that because I am obeying the biblical command of 1 Peter 3:15 through my research in this class, that He is rewarding my obedience with a greater intimacy with Him. This is just my belief as to why I am feeling a growing within myself in regards to the spiritual nature. However, I could be wrong as to the exact reason for this growth. Either way, the spiritual growth within me is real, and I do not want it to go away.
- Have I gained a deeper love and appreciation for the Gospel writings? If so, how or in what way?
Yes, I have gained a deeper love and appreciation for the Gospel writings. I have found that in my short six years of walking with the Lord, that I have read the Gospels on multiple occasions. The last few years or so have left me with a mindset of “oh, it’s time to read about (fill in the blank) again.” However, since the beginning of this class I have been provided with a magnified view of the Gospels. A lot of the questions that I have often wondered about have been addressed in this class, and has therefore brought the pages of scripture back to life for me. Please do not get me wrong, I have always loved and appreciated the bible, as a matter of fact, I owe the very air that I daily breathe to reading it. However, when you read the same Gospels over and over, you anticipate how the story will end.
This class has put the Gospels under a microscope and showed me things that I have missed, or would have never seen. I have learned about many things, such as the intended audiences, the historical culture background, the focus of the Gospels, and key phrases, places and faces in the Gospels. All of this together has really provided me with fresh understanding and I feel like I am reading the Gospels once again for the first time. This in itself is an answer to prayer. I have often prayed to the Lord and shared with Him, that I wish I could go back to the first time that I read the Gospels; when it was all new to me. The Lord has used this class to answer that prayer. This is why I believe that I have gained a deeper love and appreciation for the Gospel writings.
W6 Reflection Paper 2
Please reflect on what you have learned so far in this course, and on the value of this course for your development into an educated Christian. As you reflect, consider the following questions:
“I’m finished” I have completed 100% of this assignment.
The things that I did not know before are as follows:
1. The book of Acts & the Gospel of Luke makes up ¼ of the New Testament.
2. Since there is no mention of Peter’s martyrdom, then it is reasonable to conclude that Acts was written prior to his death (64-65 AD).
3. The book of Acts accounts for 30 years of the church.
4. That an argument exists; that Paul could have been present at the time of the Crucifixion, or at the very least Paul could have possibly seen Jesus in person before His death. (I do not personally believe this, due to the fact that Paul in all likelihood would have mentioned it)
5. Some claim that the Phillip of the book of Acts is not the same Phillip who was a disciple of Jesus. I also do not agree with this argument. They claim that the term “Phillip the evangelist” refers to this second man. However, I enjoyed the argument.
6. Paul was the son of a Pharisee.
7. Paul would have been executed under Nero.
8. The chronological order of the Emperors of Rome.
9. Certain facts about Augustine.
10. Certain facts about Martin Luther.
11. Certain facts about John Wesley.
12. Numerous facts about the city of Corinth.
13. The approximate date of Paul’s death.
Absolutely! These men of God had it so much tougher than we did. To elaborate, I point to the example of my earthy father, and his preceding generation. I have noticed that my generation and the generation that has followed me have become pampered and weak. I would also dare to say that a sense of entitlement has developed in these generations, when that entitlement has not been earned. In contrast, my dad and his preceding generation fought and bled for everything that they acquired. Their life or death depended on their ability to work and fight for it. This leads me to my point. The early followers of Jesus Christ were faithfully dedicated to their cause. It seems that today, we have trouble getting church members to leave the safety and comfort of their pews. The first Christians stood fast in their beliefs, they gained ground and territory for Christ, and many even paid for it with their own lives. In addition, these men and women of God did not have air conditioned Cadillac Escalades to drive them to the next town; they walked over mountains, deserts, and wastelands.
In short: I have a tremendous amount of appreciation for the faithfulness and dedication of the early followers of Jesus Christ. If it were not for their efforts then we may not currently have the message of Salvation, that many of us take for granted or assume that we are entitled to.
The one aspect of his life that stood out to me the most was his tenacity. Paul never, ever quit. After fifteen years of drinking every day, I had formerly received a lot of opposition. On a larger scale, in the last six years (the time that I have followed Christ), I have received even more opposition. However, the struggles that I have overcome since walking with the Lord are small, and fade in comparison in light of Paul’s perseverance. It is no wonder that Paul could write “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 3:13-14)
Paul was beaten, stoned, whipped, imprisoned, shipwrecked, and once he even died, and yet he never gave up. I only use the word “Tenacious” to describe Paul, because there is no better word in the English dictionary. It is my personal belief that there should be a word in the English language that is reserved only for the amount of perseverance that Paul demonstrated. On a side note, I would also be okay with this non-existent word being used in reference to the perseverance of Rocky Balboa. Just kidding, but seriously!
Once again, absolutely! There are huge contrasts between first century Palestine, and twenty-first century America. However, our worlds are both marked by being outnumbered by enemy opposition. The first century church had to face the Romans, the Jews, persecutions, imprisonment, and death. We war against such things as; relativism, complacency, neutrality, the religion of science, and technology. All of these things jockey for our attention, and passions, and try to pervert the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Although, the first century Christians, did not have the same struggles that I have today; we are both plagued by opposition to the spreading of the Gospel. In addition, a simple reading of scripture can reveal how to handle one of my modern crises, by using a first century crises. By the use of scriptures I can clearly see that our two different worlds are not so far apart. For example: In the book of Acts when Peter acted one way in front of Jews and another way in front of Gentiles; can still be relevant to believers today. We are not to act one way with work buddies, and a completely different way in front of church buddies. In short: I can clearly see how the New Testament is relevant in my own life today. I would actually have to be blind not to see it.
Please reflect on what you have learned so far in this course, and on the value of this course for your development into an educated Christian. As you reflect, consider the following questions:
“I’m finished” I have completed 100% of this assignment.
- What have I learned that I did not know before? (Be specific)
The things that I did not know before are as follows:
1. The book of Acts & the Gospel of Luke makes up ¼ of the New Testament.
2. Since there is no mention of Peter’s martyrdom, then it is reasonable to conclude that Acts was written prior to his death (64-65 AD).
3. The book of Acts accounts for 30 years of the church.
4. That an argument exists; that Paul could have been present at the time of the Crucifixion, or at the very least Paul could have possibly seen Jesus in person before His death. (I do not personally believe this, due to the fact that Paul in all likelihood would have mentioned it)
5. Some claim that the Phillip of the book of Acts is not the same Phillip who was a disciple of Jesus. I also do not agree with this argument. They claim that the term “Phillip the evangelist” refers to this second man. However, I enjoyed the argument.
6. Paul was the son of a Pharisee.
7. Paul would have been executed under Nero.
8. The chronological order of the Emperors of Rome.
9. Certain facts about Augustine.
10. Certain facts about Martin Luther.
11. Certain facts about John Wesley.
12. Numerous facts about the city of Corinth.
13. The approximate date of Paul’s death.
- Have I gained a greater appreciation for the faithfulness and dedication of the early followers of Jesus Christ?
Absolutely! These men of God had it so much tougher than we did. To elaborate, I point to the example of my earthy father, and his preceding generation. I have noticed that my generation and the generation that has followed me have become pampered and weak. I would also dare to say that a sense of entitlement has developed in these generations, when that entitlement has not been earned. In contrast, my dad and his preceding generation fought and bled for everything that they acquired. Their life or death depended on their ability to work and fight for it. This leads me to my point. The early followers of Jesus Christ were faithfully dedicated to their cause. It seems that today, we have trouble getting church members to leave the safety and comfort of their pews. The first Christians stood fast in their beliefs, they gained ground and territory for Christ, and many even paid for it with their own lives. In addition, these men and women of God did not have air conditioned Cadillac Escalades to drive them to the next town; they walked over mountains, deserts, and wastelands.
In short: I have a tremendous amount of appreciation for the faithfulness and dedication of the early followers of Jesus Christ. If it were not for their efforts then we may not currently have the message of Salvation, that many of us take for granted or assume that we are entitled to.
- In studying the life of Paul, what one aspect of his life stood out to you the most? Why?
The one aspect of his life that stood out to me the most was his tenacity. Paul never, ever quit. After fifteen years of drinking every day, I had formerly received a lot of opposition. On a larger scale, in the last six years (the time that I have followed Christ), I have received even more opposition. However, the struggles that I have overcome since walking with the Lord are small, and fade in comparison in light of Paul’s perseverance. It is no wonder that Paul could write “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 3:13-14)
Paul was beaten, stoned, whipped, imprisoned, shipwrecked, and once he even died, and yet he never gave up. I only use the word “Tenacious” to describe Paul, because there is no better word in the English dictionary. It is my personal belief that there should be a word in the English language that is reserved only for the amount of perseverance that Paul demonstrated. On a side note, I would also be okay with this non-existent word being used in reference to the perseverance of Rocky Balboa. Just kidding, but seriously!
- Do you feel you are gaining a deeper awareness of the New Testament's relevancy to your own life? If so, how and in what way?
Once again, absolutely! There are huge contrasts between first century Palestine, and twenty-first century America. However, our worlds are both marked by being outnumbered by enemy opposition. The first century church had to face the Romans, the Jews, persecutions, imprisonment, and death. We war against such things as; relativism, complacency, neutrality, the religion of science, and technology. All of these things jockey for our attention, and passions, and try to pervert the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Although, the first century Christians, did not have the same struggles that I have today; we are both plagued by opposition to the spreading of the Gospel. In addition, a simple reading of scripture can reveal how to handle one of my modern crises, by using a first century crises. By the use of scriptures I can clearly see that our two different worlds are not so far apart. For example: In the book of Acts when Peter acted one way in front of Jews and another way in front of Gentiles; can still be relevant to believers today. We are not to act one way with work buddies, and a completely different way in front of church buddies. In short: I can clearly see how the New Testament is relevant in my own life today. I would actually have to be blind not to see it.
W9 Reflection Paper 3
Please reflect on what you have learned in this course, and on the value of this course for your development into an educated Christian. As you reflect, consider the following questions:
“I’m finished” I have completed 100% of this assignment.
The things that I did not know before are as follows:
Absolutely! Once again, to piggyback off of week fours reflection assignment; yes, I have gained a deeper love and appreciation for the New Testament writings. I have found that in my short six years of walking with the Lord, that I have read the New Testament on multiple occasions. The last few years or so have left me with a mindset of “oh, it’s time to read about (fill in the blank) again.” However, since the beginning of this class I have been provided with a magnified view of the New Testament. A lot of the questions that I have often wondered about have been addressed in this class, and has therefore brought the pages of scripture back to life for me. Please do not get me wrong, I have always loved and appreciated the bible, as a matter of fact, I owe the very air that I daily breathe to reading it. However, when you read the same book of the New Testament over and over, you anticipate how the story will end. This class has put the New Testament under a microscope and showed me things that I have missed, or would have never seen.
This question shall also receive a resounding “yes.” I have found that in a relationship the more you spend time with someone; the more you get to know them. This can be a positive and a negative thing. On the positive side, you can know the others person’s preferences and speak on their behalf; without having to ask their opinion. On the negative side, you can stop appreciating all the little things that made you fall in love with that person in the first place. In addition, as time goes by; you stop cherishing that special alone time with the individual.
Our relationship with the Lord and His word can be the same way. After a while, we do not have to dissect the pages of scripture in order to determine His will on a given life circumstance. We can clearly speak on His behalf without so much as consulting Him; because we know His preferences. On the negative side, you can stop appreciating all the little things that made you fall in love with that Him and His word in the first place. In addition, as time goes by; you stop cherishing that special alone time with the God; in His word (because you have read it all before).
I share that to state, that this class has rekindled my love relationship for the pages of scripture. It has challenged me to realize that I do not even come close to having it all figured out. This class has also challenged me to refigure my entire approach to spiritual disciplines, and my study of the scriptures. In short; it’s like I have fallen in love with the Lord all over again, and I am a better man for having taken this class.
Without a doubt! As a matter of fact, I have been using the material that I have acquired in this class when teaching my Wednesday night youth group. This class has also provided me with a stronger confidence in the scriptures and my ability to expound on them. I have found that I am better able to teach new converts in addition, to seasoned veterans of the church. It is my goal to share the stuff that I have acquired in this class to teach others the wonderful pieces of information that I have learned, in order to bring to life the scriptures in a whole new way for them too.
Please reflect on what you have learned in this course, and on the value of this course for your development into an educated Christian. As you reflect, consider the following questions:
- Do you feel you have gained a deeper appreciation and love for the New Testament writings? If so, how?
- Do you feel that you have grown spiritually as a result of taking this course? If so, how?
- Do you feel better able to prepare a Sunday School lesson, Bible study, or sermon as a result of the materials provided for you by this class? If so, how?
“I’m finished” I have completed 100% of this assignment.
- What have I learned that I did not know before? (Be specific)
The things that I did not know before are as follows:
- Galatians was written prior to the Jerusalem Council. I always assumed it was written after the council.
- The definition of “antinomianism.”
- There was a temple for worship of the Roman Emperor and his family in Ephesus.
- The founder of the church in Colossae was a person named Epaphras. Titus was in charge of overseeing a group of pastors on the island of Crete.
- The Erastus inscription that is still in existence is most likely the same man mentioned in Paul’s letter.
- Ephesians, Collisions, Philippians, and Philemon were prison Epistles.
- John and Timothy both served as pastors in the Ephesus church.
- The alleged jail where Paul and Silas were held has been found in Philippi; due to archaeology.
- Colossae fell into ruin; most likely due to an earthquake.
- Titus died in 107 AD about 95 years of age; according to church tradition.
- The author of Hebrews could have been Paul, Barnabas, Luke, or even Apollos.
- James is probably the earliest of the New Testament writings.
- Silas might have been the one who penned Peter’s Epistles.
- Peter and Paul would have been executed under Emperor Nero.
- Polycarp, Irenaeus, and Clement testify to the authorship of John.
- The author of Revelations refers to himself as “John” on 5 occasions.
- The difference between the “end times” views.
- Do you feel you have gained a deeper appreciation and love for the New Testament writings? If so, how?
Absolutely! Once again, to piggyback off of week fours reflection assignment; yes, I have gained a deeper love and appreciation for the New Testament writings. I have found that in my short six years of walking with the Lord, that I have read the New Testament on multiple occasions. The last few years or so have left me with a mindset of “oh, it’s time to read about (fill in the blank) again.” However, since the beginning of this class I have been provided with a magnified view of the New Testament. A lot of the questions that I have often wondered about have been addressed in this class, and has therefore brought the pages of scripture back to life for me. Please do not get me wrong, I have always loved and appreciated the bible, as a matter of fact, I owe the very air that I daily breathe to reading it. However, when you read the same book of the New Testament over and over, you anticipate how the story will end. This class has put the New Testament under a microscope and showed me things that I have missed, or would have never seen.
- Do you feel that you have grown spiritually as a result of taking this course? If so, how?
This question shall also receive a resounding “yes.” I have found that in a relationship the more you spend time with someone; the more you get to know them. This can be a positive and a negative thing. On the positive side, you can know the others person’s preferences and speak on their behalf; without having to ask their opinion. On the negative side, you can stop appreciating all the little things that made you fall in love with that person in the first place. In addition, as time goes by; you stop cherishing that special alone time with the individual.
Our relationship with the Lord and His word can be the same way. After a while, we do not have to dissect the pages of scripture in order to determine His will on a given life circumstance. We can clearly speak on His behalf without so much as consulting Him; because we know His preferences. On the negative side, you can stop appreciating all the little things that made you fall in love with that Him and His word in the first place. In addition, as time goes by; you stop cherishing that special alone time with the God; in His word (because you have read it all before).
I share that to state, that this class has rekindled my love relationship for the pages of scripture. It has challenged me to realize that I do not even come close to having it all figured out. This class has also challenged me to refigure my entire approach to spiritual disciplines, and my study of the scriptures. In short; it’s like I have fallen in love with the Lord all over again, and I am a better man for having taken this class.
- Do you feel better able to prepare a Sunday School lesson, Bible study, or sermon as a result of the materials provided for you by this class? If so, how?
Without a doubt! As a matter of fact, I have been using the material that I have acquired in this class when teaching my Wednesday night youth group. This class has also provided me with a stronger confidence in the scriptures and my ability to expound on them. I have found that I am better able to teach new converts in addition, to seasoned veterans of the church. It is my goal to share the stuff that I have acquired in this class to teach others the wonderful pieces of information that I have learned, in order to bring to life the scriptures in a whole new way for them too.