1.0 Understanding the New Testament as a Literary Document
Online and Take-Home Questions

(Last revised: 1/13/02)
(For an explanation of the codes used in this document, click on Explanation of Terms.)
(Check this page periodically,  since it is being continually expanded with new question options. This provides increased options for the 'take-home' exam.)

1.1. Definition of the term
Sources: H3:1:1-3; H4:2-3; NOSB:nt:iii; NOSB3:essays:458-460.
1. How is the New Testament both alike and different from the Old Testament, OT Apocrypha, and the NT Apocrypha?
2. Describe the four elements found in the definitions of the New Testament in Lecture 1.
3. Assess the perspective assumed in these definitions of the New Testament. Can you agree with it? Why?
1.1.1. Testament
1. Using the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, identify which of the definitions applies to our study, and explain the reason for definition one being termed 'archaic'.
2. Using an online concordance, compare how the KJV and the RSV use either the word 'testament' or 'covenant' in the New Testament. Why do some translations use the word 'testament' and others do not? Which alternative word is used?
3. Using an online concordance set to KJV, compare how the KJV uses the term 'testament' by grouping them correctly according to the Miriam-Webster definitions of the term 'testament.'
4. Define the term 'testament' using a minimum of two Bible dictionary sources either printed or online.
1.1.2. Covenant
1. Define the term 'covenant' using a minimum of two Bible dictionary sources either printed or online.
2. Assess which term, 'testament' or 'covenant', is more accurate in refering to the New Testament.
1.2. Relation to Hebrew Bible
Sources: H3:1:3-10; H4:3-7
1. Define the word 'Bible' using the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary by typing the word 'Bible' in their search menu.
1.2.1. Hebrew text
1. Describe the history and nature of the Masoretic text of the Hebrew Bible using a minimum of two sources either printed or online.
2. List the threefold division of the Tanak (Hebrew Bible) according to Judaism indicating the books contained in each division.
1.2.2. LXX
1. Define the term 'Septuagint,' using a minimum of two sources either printed or online.
2. Describe the details of the ancient myth about the translation of the Hebrew Bible into Greek from the Letter of Aristeas 301-322.
1.3. Relation to world religion scriptures
Sources: H3:1:2; H4:2
1.3.1. Koran
1. Define the Koran in terms of its contents and connection to a particular religious group, by doing an internet search using a search engine such as Yahoo.com.
1.3.2 Vedas
1. Define the Vedas in terms of their content and connection to a particular religious group, by doing an internet search using a search engine such as Yahoo.com.
1.3.3 Upanishads
1. Define the Upanishads in terms of their content and connection to a particular religious group, by doing an internet search using a search engine such as Yahoo.com.
1.3.4 Bhagavadigita
1. Define the Bhagavadigita in terms of its contents and connection to a particular religious group, by doing an internet search using a search engine such as Yahoo.com.
1.4. The language of the New Testament: koine Greek
 Sources: H3:1:6-7; H4:10; NOSB:nt:iv;
1. Describe koine Greek as an ancient language in terms of its origins, characteristics and relation to the New Testament, using the discussion of Jay Treat.
1.4.1. Nature of koine Greek
1. Describe how koine Greek is different from classical Greek.
1.4.2. Distinctives of biblical koine Greek
1. Describe how the koine Greek in the original writings of the New Testament reflects influence from Aramaic, the language the Jewish people of Jesus' day spoke.
1.5. The literature of the New Testament (Form Criticism)
1.5.1. Genre
Sources: H:1:7-9; H4:10-12; NOSB:nt:iii-iv; NOSB3 (see intro section before Matthew, Acts, Romans, Revelation)
1.5.1.1. Definition
1. Define the word 'genre' using the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary by typing the word 'genre' in their search menu.
1.5.1.2. Basic Forms
NOSB:xviii-xvix
1. Describe how identifying 'genre' fits in with other interpretative steps for understanding a scripture passage, using the discussion in the NOSB.
1.5.1.2.1. Gospel
NOSB:nt:viii-x
1. Define the term 'gospel,' using the discussion in the NOSB supplemented by the discussion at Cranfordville.
1.5.1.2.2. History
NOSB:nt:x
1. Describe how the Acts of the Apostles can be labeled 'history,' using the discussion in the NOSB supplemented by the discussion at Cranfordville.
1.5.1.2.3. Letter
NOSB, nt:204-207
1. Define the term 'letter' as used in the New Testament, using the discussion in the NOSB supplemented by the discussion at Cranfordville.
1.5.1.2.4. Apocalypse
NOSB, nt:362-363
1. Define the term 'apocalypse,' using the discussion in the NOSB supplemented by the discussion at Cranfordville.
1.6 The formation of the canon of the New Testament (Canon History)
Sources: H:20-26; NOSB:nt:v-vi
1. Define the tern 'canon' as it relates to the formation of the New Testament, using a minimum of two sources either printed or online.
1.6.1. Sources of information
1.6.1.1. Muratorian Canon
1. Describe the nature and content of the Muratorian Canon as it relates to understanding the formation of the canon.
1.6.1.2. Codex Claromontanus
1. Describe the nature and content of the Codex Claromontanus as it relates to understanding the formation of the canon.
1.6.1.3. Origen
1. Describe the contributions of Origen to the formation of the canon.
1.6.1.4. Eusebius
1. Describe the contributions of Eusebius to the formation of the canon.
1.6.1.5. Athanasius
1. Describe the contributions of Athanasius to the formation of the canon.
1.6.2. Guiding principles 
1. Describe the three major guiding principles of acceptance of a document into the canon of the New Testament.
1.6.2.1. Apostolicity
1.6.2.2. Breath of God
1.6.2.3. Divine Providence
1.6.3. Catalysts prompting the process
1.6.3.1. Marcion
1. Describe how Marcion's activities stimulated the process of canonization of the scriptures.
1.6.3.2. Gnosticism
1. Describe how Gnosticism stimulated the process of canonization of the scriptures.
1.6.3.3. regula fidei (kanôn tês alêthes)
1. Describe how the regula fidei (Rule of Faith) in early Orthodox Chrstianity stimulated the process of canonization of the scriptures.
1.6.4. Historical reconstruction of the process
1. Summarize the process of collecting the documents of the New Testament from the discussion of the Catholic Encyclopedia article on Canon, New Testament.
1.6.4.1. Stages of the process
1.6.4.1.1. Collections of Paul's letters
1.6.4.1.2. Collections of the gospels
1.6.4.1.3. Acts of the Apostles
1.6.4.1.4. Catholic letters
1.6.4.1.5. Apocalypses
1.6.4.2. Pivotal turning points:
1. Describe the significance of Athanasius and the Latin Vulgate in the process of canonization.
1.6.4.2.1. Athanasius, 367 AD
1.6.4.2.2. Latin Vulgate, 4th cent.
1.7. The transmission of the text of the New Testament (Textual Criticism)
Sources: H3:2:18-28; H4: 25-35; NOSB:nt:iv-v; NOSB3:essays:461-462----Discussion of textual criticism during the 20th century----Discussion of textual criticism in Catholic encyclopedia.----Major URL on aspects of textual criticism. Click on various icons on home page for topics.----Click on icon for links to discussion of Text Criticism, used with Greek 202 class.
1. Summarize the concepts of Textual Criticism as found in the Catholic Encyclopedia article.

1.7.1. The Greek manuscripts
1. Describe the types of Greek manuscripts, using the relevant materials in The Encyclopedia of New Testament Textual Criticism
1.7.1.1. Papyri
1.7.1.2. Uncials
1.7.1.3. Minscules

1.7.2. The printed Greek texts:
1.7.2.1. Early work:
1.7.2.1.1. Erasmus
1. Summarize the contributions of Desiderius Erasmus to the production of the first printed Greek text, using the article in the Encyclopedia of Textual Criticism.
1.7.2.1.2. Textus Receptus
1. Summarize the origin and nature of the Textus Receptus from the online article in the Encyclopedia of Textual Criticism.
1.7.2.2. Nineteenth Century/Early Twentieth Century
1.7.2.2.1. Westcott-Hort (English speaking world)
1. Summarize the origin and nature of the W-H text  from the online article in the Encyclopedia of Textual Criticism.
1.7.2.2.2. Nestle (non-English speaking world)
 1. Summarize the origin and nature of the Nestle texts  from the online article in the Encyclopedia of Textual Criticism.
1.7.2.3. Second half of the Twentieth Century
1.7.2.3.1. United Bible Socities 4th (English speaking world)
1. Summarize the origin and nature of the UBS texts  from the online article in the Encyclopedia of Textual Criticism.
1.7.2.3.2. Nestle-Aland 26th & 27th (Non-English speaking world)
1. Summarize the origin and nature of the Nestle-Aland texts  from the online article in the Encyclopedia of Textual Criticism.
1.7.2.3.3. British and Foreign Bible Society text (British speaking world)

1.7.3. The English translations:
NOSB3:essays:466-471; H4:27-35
1. Briefly describe why translations of the Bible are necessary, using the insight of David Burke's THE HISTORY AND PRACTICE OF BIBLE TRANSLATION: A BRIEF SURVEY, in the American Bible Society page on Key Articles. (To access the article, click on the hyperlink Key Articles/Papers in the ABS initial page, then the Burke article).
2. Summary the nature of Bible translation as outlined by Prof. Felix Just of Loyola Marymount University.
1.7.3.1. Early Efforts:
1. Reflect on the variations of the wording in the four translations of the prologue of the Gospel of Luke (1:1-4).
1.7.3.1.1. Venerable Bede, 730s
1. Summarize the origin and character of this translation using the provided hyperlink to supplement Harris and NOSB.
1.7.3.1.2. John Wycliffe, 1384
1. Summarize the origin and character of this translation using the provided hyperlink to supplement Harris and NOSB.
1.7.3.1.3. William Tyndale, 1525 (1534), 1536
1. Summarize the origin and character of this translation using the provided hyperlink to supplement Harris and NOSB.
1.7.3.1.4. Coverdale Bible, 1535
1. Summarize the origin and character of this translation using the provided hyperlink to supplement Harris and NOSB.
1.7.3.1.5. The Great Bible, 1539
1. Summarize the origin and character of this translation using the provided hyperlink to supplement Harris and NOSB.
1.7.3.1.6. The Bishop's Bible, 1568
1. Summarize the origin and character of this translation using the provided hyperlink to supplement Harris and NOSB.
1.7.3.1.7. The Geneva Bible, 1560
1. Summarize the origin and character of this translation using the provided hyperlink to supplement Harris and NOSB.
1.7.3.1.8. The King James Version, 1611
1. Summarize the origin and character of this translation using the provided hyperlink to supplement Harris and NOSB.
1.7.3.2. Modern Translations:
For a very important article on translation practice see David Burke, THE HISTORY AND PRACTICE OF BIBLE TRANSLATION: A BRIEF SURVEY, in the American Bible Society page on Key Articles.  (To access the article, click on the hyperlink Key Articles/Papers in the ABS initial page, then the Burke article).
1.7.3.2.1. Structures for creating translations
1.7.3.2.1.1. Individual (I)
1.7.3.2.1.2. Committee (C)
1.7.3.2.2. Types of translation methodology used
1. Summarize the two basic approaches to translating scripture texts from the discussion of Prof. Felix Just of Loyola Marymount University.
1.7.3.2.2.1. Verbal (V)
1.7.3.2.2.2. Dynamic Equivalent (DE)
1.7.3.2.3. Resulting translations
NOSB:nt:404-406; H3:2:26; H4:29-34; NOSB3: essays: 466-471
For a very important article on translation practice see David Burke, THE HISTORY AND PRACTICE OF BIBLE TRANSLATION: A BRIEF SURVEY, in the American Bible Society page on Key Articles.  (To access the article, click on the hyperlink Key Articles/Papers in the ABS initial page, then the Burke article).
1.7.3.2.3.1. Revised Version, 1881-1885
1. Summarize the origin and character of this translation using the provided hyperlink to supplement Harris and NOSB.
1.7.3.2.3.2. American Standard Version, 1901
1. Summarize the origin and character of this translation using the provided hyperlink to supplement Harris and NOSB.
1.7.3.2.3.3. Revised Standard Version, 1946-1952
1. Summarize the origin and character of this translation using the provided hyperlink to supplement Harris and NOSB.
1.7.3.2.3.4. New Revised Standard Version, 1991
1. Summarize the origin and character of this translation using the provided hyperlink to supplement Harris and NOSB.
1.7.3.2.3.5. Jerusalem Bible, 1989
1. Summarize the origin and character of this translation using the provided hyperlink to supplement Harris and NOSB.
1.7.3.2.3.6. New English Bible, 1970, 1976
1. Summarize the origin and character of this translation using the provided hyperlink to supplement Harris and NOSB.
1.7.3.2.3.7. Revised English Bible, 1989
1. Summarize the origin and character of this translation using the provided hyperlink to supplement Harris and NOSB.
1.7.3.2.3.8. New International Version, 1970s
1. Summarize the origin and character of this translation using the provided hyperlink to supplement Harris and NOSB.
1.7.3.2.3.9. New American Bible, 1970
1. Summarize the origin and character of this translation using the provided hyperlink to supplement Harris and NOSB.
1.7.3.2.3.10. Good News Bible (Today's English Version)
1. Summarize the origin and character of this translation using the provided hyperlink to supplement Harris and NOSB.
1.7.3.2.3.11. The Living Bible
1. Summarize the origin and character of this translation using the provided hyperlink to supplement Harris and NOSB.
1.7.3.2.3.12. New Living Translation
1. Summarize the origin and character of this translation using the provided hyperlink to supplement Harris and NOSB.
1.7.3.2.4. Procedures for analyzing translations
1.7.3.2.4.1. Establish paragraph subdivisions within a pericope
1.7.3.2.4.2. Comparatively analyze each sentence of the translations


Created by   a division of   All rights reserved©