Wisdom Literature Overview

A collection of accumulated wisdom and insights passed down through generations.

The book of Proverbs focuses on practical wisdom for daily life. It emphasizes values like honesty, diligence, and humility, while warning against vices such as pride and foolishness.

Proverbs personifies wisdom as a woman who calls for righteous living. This contrasts with the Foolish Woman who leads to destruction.

The book of Ecclesiastes explores a more skeptical view of life's meaning. It questions the value of human pursuits and calls many things ‘vanity,’ highlighting the fleeting nature of life.

Qoheleth is the teacher in Ecclesiastes who reflects on the meaninglessness of life and the limitations of human understanding. He sees life as short and death as inevitable.

Theodicy is the attempt to explain and justify God's goodness and justice in the face of suffering and injustice.

The prologue of Job introduces a righteous man who faces immense suffering inflicted by God as a test of his faith. Satan challenges God's claim that Job's faithfulness is genuine.

Job's wife represents the human impulse to despair and give up in the face of suffering. She encourages Job to curse God and die.

In Revelation, the Beast symbolizes oppressive imperial power that represents corruption and evil, often linked to Rome or any oppressive authority. It represents the forces that oppose God's people.

The Mark of the Beast, often represented by the number 666, symbolizes the allegiance to the forces of evil represented by the Beast. It represents a rejection of God's authority and a commitment to the corrupt system.

In Revelation, the Celestial Woman is a symbol of the Church, or Mary, representing Christian salvation and the triumph over evil. She stands as a beacon of hope and purity against the forces of darkness.

In Revelation, Babylon symbolizes the corrupt world system, often specifically referencing the Roman Empire, associated with idolatry and opposition to God's people. It represents the fallen, worldly system.

In Revelation, the seven churches represent different early Christian communities. The letters address their specific moral and spiritual challenges, offering guidance and encouragement. They demonstrate that even within the church, struggles exist and are a part of the Christian journey.

Revelation depicts the ultimate victory of God over evil. Through divine judgment, evil is defeated, justice is restored, and a new, eternal kingdom of peace and righteousness is established.

The New Jerusalem represents the ultimate restoration and renewal, a perfect paradise where God and humanity will dwell together in peace and righteousness. It embodies the hope of an eternal, heavenly home.

Revelation uses vivid imagery and symbolism to communicate its message, often drawing from ancient Hebrew traditions. It highlights the cosmic struggle between good and evil, emphasizing God's ultimate victory over darkness.

The event where the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles, empowering them to speak in different languages and begin their mission.

Jesus' departure from earth after his resurrection, marking the beginning of the apostles' mission to spread the gospel.

The divine presence that empowers and guides believers, helping to spread the Christian message.

A Gentile Roman officer who received a vision and was baptized by Peter, demonstrating that the gospel is for all people, not just Jews.

A prominent missionary who initially persecuted Christians but was converted on the road to Damascus. His key focus was salvation through faith in Jesus, not by works of the Law.

A metaphor used to describe the unity and diversity within the Church, where every member plays an important role.

The tension in the early church between salvation by faith alone and the importance of good works.

Paul's letter to the church in Rome, emphasizing that both Gentiles and Jews need salvation, focusing on Christ as the key to redemption.

Disunity within the Church, caused by disagreements regarding loyalty to different leaders (Apollos, Cephas, or Paul).

The central spiritual gifts mentioned in 1 Corinthians, including speaking in tongues and prophecy, with Paul emphasizing order and edification.

Paul's practical advice for the church in Corinth regarding love, unity, and self-sacrifice in relationships and worship.

A key element of worship in Corinth, celebrating the body and blood of Christ, intended to foster unity and reverence.

The highest and most important spiritual gift, according to Paul, emphasizing selfless and enduring love.

Key Christian leaders in Rome, who worked with Paul and spread the gospel.

A learned preacher in Corinth who, like Paul, taught the gospel, leading to some factions within the church.

The concept of the end of the world and the events surrounding it, often involving judgment and renewal.

The study of the ultimate fate of humanity and the world, especially concerning end times events.

A literary technique where an author writes under a false name to lend authority or influence to their work.

The Seleucid king who persecuted Jews, sparking the Maccabean Revolt, a period of resistance against Hellenistic influence.

The Babylonian king who captured Daniel and his friends, representing foreign rule and the challenges faced by the Jews in exile.

A ruler under whom Daniel served, representing shifts in empire power and demonstrating how God can provide opportunities even amidst changing circumstances.

The divine figure in Daniel's vision (ch. 7), representing God in judgment and sovereign power.

A messianic figure in Daniel's vision, who will rule the future. He symbolizes the coming of a righteous leader who will establish God's kingdom.

Refers to the resurrection of the dead in final judgment and the end times, highlighting the idea of a future life and accountability for actions.

The first three Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke).

A hypothetical collection of Jesus's sayings, believed to be a source for some of the Synoptic Gospels.

The Gospel of John includes a unique post-resurrection story of the disciple known as Doubting Thomas.

The Gospel of John identifies the last miraculous 'sign' of Jesus' ministry as His raising Lazarus from the dead.

The Greek term 'logos,' translated as the 'Word,' represents the divine cosmic principle of meaning and order.

In the Gospel of Mark, the only characters who demonstrate a clear and consistent understanding of Jesus' identity as 'the Holy One,' the Son of God, are the disciples.

The Gospel of Mark is considered the earliest of the four canonical Gospels and is seen as a source for both Matthew and Luke.

The Gospel of Matthew presents Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, tracing his lineage back to David and emphasizing his virgin birth.

The Gospel of John emphasizes Jesus' pre-existence as a divine being, stating that he was 'the Word' who became flesh.

The Gospel of Mark focuses on Jesus' actions and authority, emphasizing his miracles, healings, and exorcisms to reveal his power.

Matthew's Gospel emphasizes the inclusion of Gentiles in salvation, highlighting the Magi's visit and Jesus' Great Commission to spread the gospel to all nations.

The Gospel of Luke emphasizes Jesus' compassion for the poor and marginalized, portraying him as a champion for those who are often overlooked.

The Gospel of John presents Jesus as the Word, a divine entity who entered humanity to reveal God's love and truth.

The Gospel of Luke's Infancy Narrative introduces Zechariah and Elizabeth, John the Baptist's parents, and details the Annunciation to Mary, highlighting the role of Simeon & Anna in recognizing Jesus as the Messiah.

The Gospel of Luke, along with Matthew and Mark, presents John the Baptist as a prophetic figure who prepared the way for Jesus by preaching and baptizing.

The Gospel of Matthew presents Jesus as a disruptive figure who overturned the established religious order, as seen in his cleansing of the Jerusalem Temple.

The Gospel of Matthew highlights Jesus' teachings in the Sermon on the Mount, which emphasize righteousness, love, and humility.

The Gospel of Mark frequently uses the phrase 'immediately,' emphasizing the speed and urgency of Jesus' actions and ministry.

The Gospel of John includes a poetic prologue that highlights Jesus' unity with God and his human incarnation, stating that 'The Word became flesh.'

The Gospel of John includes a series of seven signs, such as the feeding of the 5,000 and the raising of Lazarus, which demonstrate Jesus' divine authority and power.

The Gospel of John presents several important private conversations between Jesus and various individuals, including Nicodemus, the Samaritan woman, and Mary and Martha of Bethany.

A type of biblical interpretation that focuses on the ongoing and enduring nature of God's covenant with Israel.

A woman mentioned in the book of Romans who served as a deaconess and delivered Paul's letter, highlighting early female leadership in the church.

The concept that humans are inherently sinful and can only be restored to a right relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

The concluding section of a letter, which often included greetings to individuals and groups, showcasing the diverse community involved.

The letter attributed to James, the brother of Jesus, focusing on practical Christian living and the importance of good works.

A group of letters in the New Testament often addressed to broader Christian audiences, including James, Peter, John, and Jude.

A key thematic focus of the letter of James, urging believers to live in accordance with moral principles and demonstrate their faith through actions.

A core principle of the letter of James, emphasizing that true faith must be accompanied by actions, as mere belief alone is insufficient.

According to James, a pure and untainted dedication to God, demonstrated through acts of mercy, social justice, and personal integrity.

A critique found in the letter of James, warning against the dangers of materialism and the oppression of the poor.

A central theme in the Pastoral Letters, typically attributed to Paul, addressing qualifications and ethical standards for church leadership, including bishops, deacons, and elders.

A recurring image in the Pastoral Letters, describing the church as a household with specific roles and structures, reflecting patriarchal hierarchy.

A collection of narratives about Thecla, a woman who defies societal norms to embrace celibacy and dedicate herself to evangelism, challenging traditional female roles.