New Testament Overview  Week 04
NT - Sources For Our Knowledge Of The Life And Teaching Of Christ

Our study this week covers two kinds of sources of our knowledge's of Jesus Christ

• Non-Christian
• Christian
  • Canonical
  • Apocryphal

"The sources for our knowledge of the life and teaching of Jesus Christ fall into two categories, 

those written by non-Christian authors of the early centuries of our era, and 

those written by Christian believers about their Lord. 

Before the historian can utilize these materials, however, he needs to examine them critically; that is, he must inquire into such matters as their date and authorship, the oral and written sources utilized by the authors, the modification of the material during its oral transmission, the special interests or bias of the authors, and similar questions."
[Metzger, 73]

This study involves many topics which have been debated over the centuries.  Your purpose for this lesson is not to "completely understand" all the details. The goal is for you to have a basic understanding.

If you will look at the assignment before you begin reading, you may save effort and time this week. I have attempted to provide primary sources for the quotes from sources.

The Instructor's Outline of Metzger's Chapter 4

• Non-Christian Source
  • Jewish
    • Josephus
    • Babylonian Talmud
  • Pagan Sources which refer to Jesus
    • Pliny the Younger (c. A.D. 62-c.113)
    • Tacitus the Roman historian (c. A.D. 55-c. 117)
    • Suetonius  (c. 70-160)
    • Summary statement
• Christian Sources
  • Canonical
    • Literary Criticism of the Synoptic Gospels
      • Sections of Mark and Luke differ
      • Mark less polished than Matthew and Luke
      • Difficult phrases in Mark are missing in in parallel passages in Matthew and Luke
      • Matthew and Luke "softened" Mark statements about the leaders of the church
      • Matthew and Luke show more "reverence" for Jesus
      • Matthew and Luke omit example that might demonstrate Christ's weakness and/or ignorance
      • Matthew and Luke heighten the examples that demonstrate Christ's strengths
      • Some phrasing in Matthew and Luke seem to indicate a later stage of theological development
      • Solutions
        • Priority of Mark
        • Quelle (some unknown source)
        • Proto-Luke (not accepted by most NT scholars)
    • Form Criticism  of the Gospels
    • Theological Analysis of the Individual Gospels
      • Matthew
      • Mark
      • Luke
      • John
    • Date and Authorship
    • Summary
  • The letters of Paul
  • The Apocryphal Gospels

The New Testament occurred in a world situation. There was much going on besides New Testament history in the  Mediterranean world.

This lesson will point to several sources which demonstrate the "historicity" of New Testament events, places, and even Christ.

Many in the world do not accept the Bible as the Word of God. Nor do they accept the Bible as a source from which to prove the existence and/or divinity of Christ. This lesson will provide you with reference to New Testament events, places, and people which are "external to canonical scriptures."

Remember we are not responsible of the content, accuracy, or validly of any external link and/or site you are directed to from this site. This is a academic course. YOU AS A STUDENT are to develop skills of discrimination. The WWW is a great place to gain information. You must never be so naive to assume that all information "published" is valid, true, helpful, and/or worth your time and effort.

Finally, just because a site claims to be Christian does not mean that you should believe/accept all that is said. In fact, I think that the student who examines all sources/resources  (instructor included) fairly and critically is well on the way to a good education.

Last Updated 24 February 2000