Questions and Answers
What is the turning point of chapter 1?
The Church pushed out on its own: The fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the temple.
Was Titus correct in his reasoning about the destruction of the temple?
No, Titus was incorrect; Judaism was not abolished and is still present today.
Identify how the following books illustrate Christianity's connection to Judaism: Matthew, Luke, John, Epistle to James.
Matthew: prophetic promises for the Messiah, Luke: Jewish law, John: divine revelation to Abraham had culmination in Jesus Christ, Epistle to James: God's consistent offer of grace to the Jews.
What does the great turning point of the destruction of the temple represent?
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What change in perception was brought about by the smashing of Jerusalem?
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What questions were forced upon the church as a result of the events of A.D. 70?
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What three ways does Noll give that Christianity benefited from its Jewish roots?
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What are four existing conditions that accelerated the spread of Christianity?
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Summarize the course of Christian persecution.
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What is the three-fold means by which the church came into its own after A.D. 70?
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What are the two large difficulties facing the historian of this time period?
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What is a most important factor for interpretations of early Christian history?
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Describe how Noll uses Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant positions to make his case.
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Define 'canon.'
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What are the practical circumstances that led to the need for a canon?
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How many centuries did it take to define the precise shape of the New Testament canon?
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How did heresy play a decisive role in the necessity of a canon?
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What is the name given to the earliest fragment found containing the list of the New Testament?
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What was the key to determining whether a book should be included in the canon?
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What is the interpretive difficulty with respect to the early history of the episcopate?
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Summarize the arguments for episcopacy given by Ignatius, Irenaeus, and Cyprian.
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Summarize the difference between Roman Catholic and Protestant interpretation of the rise of the episcopate.
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What two functions did the system of bishops serve in the church?
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What function did creeds serve?
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What are two types of creeds?
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What century does the Apostles' Creed take its final form?
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What are the older versions of this creed called and what century can they be traced back to?
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How did the creeds oppose the following heresies: Gnosticism, Docetism, Judaism, Marcionism?
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What are the three vehicles upon which the Christian Church traveled as it began its journey outward from Jerusalem?
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Study Notes
Turning Point of Chapter 1
- The fall of Jerusalem and destruction of the temple marked the Church's independent mission.
Implications of the Temple's Destruction
- The temple represented the center of grace and divine connection for both Jews and Christians.
- Titus's belief that destroying the temple would annihilate Judaism was incorrect; Judaism persisted despite the loss.
- The temple's absence primarily affected Jews, symbolizing the end of their last stronghold.
New Testament's Relationship with Judaism
- Matthew highlights prophetic promises concerning the Messiah.
- Luke emphasizes adherence to Jewish laws.
- John illustrates the culmination of divine revelations in Jesus Christ.
- Epistle to James expresses God's offer of grace to the Jews.
Significance of the Temple's Destruction
- The destruction represented a shift in Christianity, expanding its reach beyond Judaism.
Change in Perception Post-Jerusalem's Fall
- The fall of Jerusalem signified Christianity's independence from Jewish roots.
Challenges Faced by the Church After A.D. 70
- The church faced questions on self-definition, worship organization, authority, and combating erroneous teachings.
- The transition from a Judaism framework prompted re-evaluation of identity.
Benefits from Jewish Roots
- Christianity derived ultimate truth from Jesus Christ's life and work.
- The church relied on New Testament writings and apostolic testimony.
- Retained legal status from Jewish traditions helped protect the church.
Conditions Accelerating Christianity's Spread
- Pax Romana facilitated travel and communication.
- Hellenistic culture promoted shared ideas.
- Jewish diaspora created a network of "God-fearers."
- Shift from a Jewish-centric identity to a broader mission-focused identity aided expansion.
Summary of Christian Persecution
- Persecution increased under Emperors Nero, Domitian, and Marcus Aurelius.
- Leaders' moral corruption led to more widespread persecution, impacting how followers practiced their faith.
Three Key Elements Shaping the Church Post A.D. 70
- Development of creeds, canon, and episcopacy were crucial for church identity and structure.
Historical Challenges
- Scarcity of evidence makes documenting this era difficult.
- Existing evidence lacks detail, resulting in unresolved questions regarding early Christian history.
Interpretative Factors in Early Christian History
- The historian’s standpoint significantly impacts interpretations.
Noll's Use of Church Positions
- Roman Catholicism emphasizes episcopacy.
- Orthodoxy leans on creeds for doctrine.
- Protestantism relies on canon for biblical authority.
Definition of 'Canon'
- Originally a measuring rod, now refers to the accepted books of the Bible.
Practical Needs for the Canon
- Established standards for worship, prayer models, theological unification, and set texts for translations.
Duration for Canon Formation
- It took over two centuries to define the New Testament canon.
Heresy and Canon Development
- Marcion's teachings in 144 A.D. prompted the necessity for a clearly defined canon to counter false doctrines.
Earliest Fragment of New Testament List
- The Muratorian Canon is the oldest known fragment listing New Testament texts.
Apostolicity as Canon Criterion
- The key consideration for inclusion in the canon was apostolic authorship.
Challenges with Early Episcopate History
- Early church order descriptions are ambiguous compared to later well-defined episcopal structures.
Arguments for Episcopacy
- Ignatius: Advocated for a hierarchy with bishops at the top.
- Irenaeus: Emphasized apostolic succession.
- Cyprian: Argued that bishops and the church are mutually dependent.
Roman Catholic vs. Protestant Episcopate Views
- Roman Catholics see bishops as inherently necessary.
- Protestants view bishops as elected figures within the church.
Functions of the Bishopric
- Bishops moderated church life and organized responses to external challenges.
Role of Creeds
- Creeds delineated true beliefs from heretical imitations, preserving apostolic teachings.
Types of Creeds
- Creeds can be categorized as Conciliar or Baptismal.
Apostles' Creed Final Form
- The Apostles' Creed reached its definitive version in the 7th century.
Older Creed Versions and Their Origins
- The Old Roman Creed (300 AD) and texts by Ignatius of Antioch (100 AD) are considered older versions.
Creeds Against Heresies
- Gnosticism: Affirmed God as creator and father.
- Docetism: Explained Christ's genuine human suffering and existence.
- Judaism: Defined Jesus unequivocally as the Messiah.
- Marcionism: Asserted the unity of Jesus and God against separation.
Vehicles for Christianity's Expansion
- The journey of the Christian Church was facilitated by canon, creed, and episcopate.
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Description
This quiz covers key concepts from Chapter 1 of 'Turning Points', focusing on the destructive events in Jerusalem and the implications for Jews and Christians. Test your understanding of the historical significance of the temple's destruction and its aftermath.