New Testament Revelation The Jesus Story Divine Revelation

New Testament Revelation The Jesus Story

Divine Revelation REVELATION comes from the Latin, “to unveil”; it is divine gift from God; took place gradually over time. • Two forms of revelation: • immediate (for now) • mediate (for future ) DIVINE means it comes from God and is about God

Divine Revelation THE CATHOLIC FAITH BASED ON REVELATION from comes to us from GOD through BOTH • SCRIPTURE - the written word that is divinely inspired (AKA the “Bible”) AND • TRADITION - spoken and other written sources NOT included in the Bible, rituals and actions, experiences of the divine

Tradition came FIRST • Stories about God experiences were TOLD, not WRITTEN, for MANY YEARS before human beings learned to read and write • LATER. . writers felt inspired by God to document what their experiences were and WROTE them down • EVENTUALLY, the writings got sorted out, prayed over, scrutinized, and patterns emerged. . • Compiled and Shared – “The Canon”

Old Testament – Ancient Accounts • Faith of Israel: God has intervened in history • God thus takes a personal interest in the fortunes of Israel and ultimately of the whole of humankind • God's communications take many forms: • created things, • theophanies, • oracles, • dreams, • prophecies, • laws, • wise sayings, • historical events

Old Testament • Particularly the Covenant with Moses and the Exodus from Egyptian bondage • • CHOSEN PEOPLE FREEDOM FROM SLAVERY PROMISED LAND UNBROKEN BOND OR COVENANT • It is the covenant/Exodus theme which runs throughout the entire Old Testament • It shapes Israel's fundamental understanding of God and of the "word" of God

New Testament – Life of Jesus & Early Christian Church • OT themes repeated in NT but are now focused on JESUS CHRIST through whom God has spoken the final word. • Jesus reveals the Kingdom of God and is himself the "Word made flesh” (John 1: 1 -18). • Apostles and the early Church witnesses and heralds of Christ; • Look forward to the day when the "unveiling of God” (the literal meaning of the word revelation) will be completed with the Second Coming of the Lord.

New Testament Themes • 27 Books, written in 4 styles: • Gospels, • Epistles, Pastorals • Apocalyptic Vision • Major Themes: • “Emmanuel” ~ God With Us • Jesus is Lord, Messiah, King • A new Covenant for ALL people (not just Jews) • Kingdom of God at Hand: Faith, Hope, Love, Peace, Justice, Charity, Forgiveness, Repentance 8

About The Gospels • The Jesus Story • Unique: nothing like it in religious or secular literature • Greek = “Good News” • Viewed as 1 unit: first 4 books of NT • Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John • First 3 books = “synoptics” (Matthew, Mark, Luke) • Similar in content, structure, wording, timing • Book of John • Last written, divine origins of Jesus + early Church • To be taken together… • Like watching 4 nightly news shows, each saying essentially the same things, with some differences 9

More About The Gospels • Messiah Arrives and Fulfills (no more waiting) • Written for believers & converts • Like OT: Revelation about God, how to live, more important than details • Authorship ~ not one person • Written for “communities” • Not intended to be accurate by modern journalism standards v. Gospels are “The Experience Of Christ” – stories meant to relate, awaken, reach out, and strengthen faith to those who never met him 10

History of Gospels • Gospels were written over a period from 65 A. D. – 100 A. D • Mark is oldest (65 A. D. – 70 A. D. ) • John is youngest (90 A. D. – 100 A. D. ) • “Triple Tradition”: Mark is the basis for Matthew & Luke • “Two Source Theory”: Matthew & Luke different from Mark: • “Q” Document: “Quelle” in German means “Shared content” from Matthew & Luke • Didache: sayings of Jesus Markan Priority (Triple Tradition) Mark Matthew Luke “Q” Hypothesis (Two Source) Mark “Q” Matthew Luke 11

Gospel of Mark • Oldest record: 65 A. D. – 70 A. D. ; shortest • John Mark, disciple from Jerusalem • Not an apostle • Companion of Peter and Paul • Wrote for Roman Followers of Jesus • Recorded Peter’s preaching in Rome

Gospel of Mark • Themes • Emphasis on the CROSS • Jesus is Lord: brings life, salvation, redemption through belief in Him; • Challenges to enter into the mystery of suffering to find redemption • Mark’s Jesus • • “Harried”: A man in a hurry! Human, emotional No infancy recorded; appears Surrounded by many 13

Gospel of Matthew 80 -90 A. D. • “Tax Collector Levi” • Themes • Jesus: Teacher of Israel • Reign of God is now • God loves us the way we are & His power is within us • All we have to do is repent • The Kingdom begins with us, making it real in this world • Matthew’s Jesus • • The New Moses – Liberator/Law The Messiah, fulfillment of OT scripture Lists family tree - 14 generations of Abraham through David Reflective and thoughtful Man; Compassionate and Strong 14

Gospel of Luke: 70 -90 A. D. NOT an apostle, but claimed Paul’s authority Companion of Paul Greek Convert – Medical Man? Masterful writer balancing diversity of themes and teachings • Themes • Holy Spirit is among us always and forever • Infancy narrative: Holy Spirit, angels, & Mary • Wrote Acts of the Apostles too; ends with Holy Spirit enabling early church to spread to Rome • Justice will always prevail because of the presence of the Spirit • • • Luke’s Jesus • Compassionate, forgiving • Universal salvation through Holy Spirit • Gospel of Women ~ Know About Mary from Luke 15

Gospel of John 90 A. D – 100 A. D • Author unknown: “beloved disciple”? • More advanced theology for Christian audiences who already knew the story • Themes • Book of Signs: bread, wine, wind, water, vine, light, divinity, shepherd • Pre-existence of Jesus • Faith walk important as a community • John’s Jesus • Father & Jesus are one • Majestic • Eternal source 16

Gospel Perspective • The Church teaches: • The Gospels are the heart of all the Scriptures…"because they are our principal source for the life and teaching of the Incarnate Word, our Savior. ” (CCC 125) Treat each Gospel as if it were the four chambers of a heart… each beating in unison with the other chambers to move the source of Life through us 17

Acts Of The Apostles circa 95 A. D. • “The Gospel To The Nations” • Written by Luke; 2 nd half of his Gospel • Covers first 30 years after Resurrection • Early church formation, mission, challenges • Summarizes the Gospels and begins sets stage for Pentecost • Not intended to be historical; 18

Acts Of The Apostles • God’s providence worked through Apostles Peter and Paul to bring forth the Church • Establishes a reference point for future generations of Christians: what it was like to be missionary, forming communities, evangelizing • Taught churches to be responsible for teaching and leading others so that the community did not fall victim to divisions and predatory teaching • Story of Peter and other apostles is dropped when narrative shifts to Paul’s journeys – martyrdoms not a part of the story 19

The Epistles 20

Epistles Background Letters from Paul & others • Oldest NT writings: 51 A. D. Jesus Ministry Crucifixion 30 A. D. 33 A. D. Paul Mark 51 A. D. (Paul & Peter Disciple) Mark, Matthew, Luke, & John 70 - 90 A. D. • Used to guide, direct, form, strengthen early Church 21

St. Paul • Saul of Tarsus • Roman citizen; “Hebrew of Hebrews”; Educated • Persecuted early Christians; not nice • Road to Damascus conversion story • “Saul, why do you persecute me? ” • Called himself “Apostle to the Gentiles” • Skilled orator, writer, and organizer • Actuated his gifts 22

St. Paul • Themes • Christianity was for all • Didn’t have to become a Jew first • Evangelization • Always asked to leave or run out of town • Often taken literally, but always connects to OT • Faith, Body of Christ • Sacraments & works 23

St. Paul • Attribution – 10 Epistles (“Letter of St. Paul”) • Romans • 1 & 2 Corinthians • Galatians • Ephesians • Philippians • Colossians • 1 & 2 Thessalonians • Philemon v. Hebrews • Letters were written to the communities afterward as reminders for the issues facing each of them 24

Pastorals of St. Paul • Attribution – 3 Epistles (“Letter of St. Paul”) • Attributed to Paul, written late in his ministry, directed to a “pastoral community”: • 1 & 2 Timothy • Titus • Less about Parousia; more about church organization and correct church doctrine

Catholic Epistles • Attribution – 7 Epistles • James • 1 & 2 Peter • 1, 2, 3 John • Jude • Not addressed to a specific church or community • Viewed as “catholic” (lower-case “c”), meaning “universal” • 1, 2, 3 John written by same Johannine Community, and considered sequel/clarification to Gospel of John 26

The Apocalyptic Vision The Book of Revelation 27

Book of Revelation • Prophetic, apocalyptic form • Rich tradition of myth and imagery from OT • Written by “John” (but not the Evangelist) • Exiled to island of Patmos, Roman penal colony • Time of Christian persecution (95 A. D. ) • Nero, Domitian, & Caligula • Evolved Christian style; a letter to the faithful 28

Themes of Revelation • “Seven” = important • 7 letters to the angels, 7 visions, 7 seals, 7 diadems, 7 trumpets, 7 bowls of wrath, 7 plagues • Visions describe political powers • Roman empire and its rulers • Written in code, for believers • Symbols only the faithful could understand • “Beast” = Devil? • 666 = Semitic spelling of “Nero Caesar” • Constant war between Good / Evil 29

Revelation Take-Aways • Being Christian • Martyrdom: baptism by blood • Loss of wealth & property • Dangerous! • Divine Signs • People will still blaspheme God rather than repent • Meant as encouragement to keep faithful, especially during times of suffering • Heavenly victory of The Lamb 30

Revelation Take-Aways • JESUS IS TRIUMPHANT OVER EVIL • Interpretations • Many! • End times? Or, did Revelation already happen? • Study; stick to modern scholarship & tradition • Great Art! 31

“ Fall of Rebellious Angels”, Fran Floris the Elder 32

Hans Memling – “The Last Judgment” 33

“Angus Dei” Stained Glass, St. Ignatius church in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts 34

Questions about the New Testament & Divine Revelation • Where do we derive our "information about God? • How does God communicate with us? • Under what conditions and circumstances does such communication occur? • How can we be sure that we have, in fact, been "in touch with" God rather than with our own wish-projections and imaginings? • Or is God hidden, almost as a matter of principle, from great segments of the human family?

• Is the FORM of communication verbal, pictorial, dramatic, mystical, historical, social, political, natural or what? • WHAT is communicated or disclosed? • Is it facts about God and the "other world" • Is it God's own self communication? • Would we have "known" that which is revealed even if it were not revealed? • If God does indeed reveal, why is it that so many creatures of God seem either indifferent to or ignorant of God's revelation? • Or is it perhaps very difficult to pick up God's signals?

“Visio Divina” – Images of Jesus • Gazing on Icons as Prayer • Which image speaks to you of who Jesus is?