New Testament Chapters 1-3 Flashcards

New Testament Overview

• The New Testament consists of 27 books, written between AD 45 and AD 100.
• "Anno Domini" (AD) signifies 'in the year of our Lord,' marking Jesus Christ as a pivotal point in history.

Manuscripts and Translations

• "Codex" refers to New Testament letters written on papyrus with sewn bindings, facilitating easier reading than scrolls.
• "Codices" (Latin: Ta Biblia) denotes authoritative books recognized as scripture.
• The Septuagint is the Greek translation of the Old Testament, often deviating from the original Hebrew texts, abbreviated as LXX.
• The Latin Vulgate was standardized by Pope Damascus to address the multitude of Bible translations.

Key Figures in Bible Translation

• John Wycliffe undertook the significant task of translating the Latin Vulgate into one of the first English versions.
• William Tyndale, who followed Wycliffe, created English translations and became a martyr for his efforts.
• The Coverdale Bible is recognized as the first complete Bible printed in English.
• The Geneva Bible was the first study Bible and included chapters and verses.
• The King James Version dominated English translations for over four centuries, known for cross-referencing other texts.

Interpretational Concerns

• "Proof texting" involves paraphrasing scripture, which can be misleading without understanding the literary context.

Historical Context and Jewish Groups

• The Grecian Period began with Alexander the Great's expansion, leading to Hellenization, which faced resistance from Jews.
• The Seleucids were a Hellenist group responsible for Jewish persecution, which antagonized Jewish culture.
• The Hasidim were Jews who resisted persecution.
• The Maccabees rebelled against their oppressors, commemorated by the festival of Hanukkah, which celebrates their reclamation of the desecrated Temple.
• The Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes emerged as distinct Jewish religious groups following the Maccabean rebellion.