WELCOME TO CBISA 2015-18 Catholic Bible Institute of Southern Arizona

WELCOME TO

CBISA 2015-18

Catholic Bible Institute of Southern Arizonahttps://www.diocesetucson.org/pastoral-service/cbisa/

Sept. 19, 2015Intro NT & Gospel of Mark

Catholic Bible Institute of Southern Arizona Sept. 19, 2015 – Intro NT & Gospel of Mark

Opening Prayer:


Songs:•Behold the Wood•Jerusalem, My Destiny

Daily Schedule (Gray HO < Aug.)8:30 [Saturday Mass in OMOS Church – optional]

9:00 Gathering; Handouts; Refreshments

9:15 Welcome & Opening Prayer

9:30 Session 1 (10:30 Q&A and/or Table-Group Discussions)

10:45 Break


12:30 Lunch


2:45 Break


4:20 Final Announcements & Closing Prayer

4:30 Clean-up & Departure


Year 1 Syllabus (Salmon HO from Aug.)Sept. 19: Introduction to NT & Gospel of Mark

• BIBLE: The Gospel according to Mark (all 16 chaps.)• ALAND: Pp. 1, 12-20; study Index, pp. 341-355• BROWN: Chapters 1, 6A (pp. 99-111), Ch. 7; also skim Ch. 2 & 3 (as time permits)

• RALPH: Chapters 1–3

Reflection Paper, e-mail to your reader by Oct. 3: • Choose Mark 5, or Mark 7, or Mark 13• Follow Guidelines from ____ Handout from August


Addendum to August Session

• Wi-Fi Access in this Hall: 0m0s1800

• Fr. Ronald Witherup: Biblical Fundamentalism

• Typos in Dei Verbum:• DV 1.5 cites Rom 13:26; should be Rom 13:2-6

• DV 4.14 cites Ps 21:29; = Ps 22:29 in most Bibles

• HO: MAPS of Ancient Near East & Holy Land

• Colored Charts of Jewish & Christian Bibles




Jewish & Christian Bibles

• Full-color Handout (from August)• http://catholic-resources.org/Bible/Heb-Xn-Bibles.htm

• Various Differences in HB/OT:• Different foundational texts• Different total number of biblical books• Different arrangement of categories of books• Different titles for some books• Different categorization of some books

• Need to ask: WHICH Bible? WHOSE Bible?• Luckily, the NT is identical in all Christian Bibles


Session 1: Intro to NT Canon

• New Testament: Contents & Order & Genres

• Multiple Stages of Composition & Transmission

• What Are the Gospels? Four Portraits of Jesus

• Canonical Gospels in the Lectionary for Mass

• Table-Group Discussions:

1) Why is important to consider the many STAGES in the formation of the NT Canon?

2) Why is it crucial to understand the “Four-fold Role of the Evangelists as Authors”?


NT Contents & Statistics (HO, p.2)

•Greek New Testament:• Books: 27• Chapters: 260• Verses: 7956• Words: 138,020

•Chapter & Verse Divisions• Current Chapter Divisions – AD 1205• Current Verse Divisions – AD 1551


•Four Main Sections/Genres:• Gospels

• 3 “Synoptics” + “Fourth Gospel”• Acts of the Apostles• Letters/Epistles

• “Pauline”• “Catholic”

• Apocalypse / Revelation• Also sub-genres within each of these genres

• Helpful to MEMORIZE the order of all 27 books!

NT Categories / Genres (HO, p. 3)


1. NOT listed in chronological order.

2. Overall order: life of Jesus (Gospels); growth of Church (Acts, Letters, Epistles); end of time (described symbolically in Revelation).

3. Gospels: traditional order assumed Matthew was oldest); however Mark was probably first.

4. Acts: originally Luke’s 2nd volume; but when four Gospels grouped together, Acts was placed after John.

5. Letters of Paul, in two sub-groups: to communities, to individuals; in each sub-group, in decreasing order of length (more or less).

6. “Letter to the Hebrews”: used to be attributed to Paul; maybe by one of his followers, but not by Paul himself.

7. Catholic or General Epistles: in decreasing order of length; but letters attributed to one apostle are grouped together.

8. Book of Revelation (singular! not “Revelations”!): describes end of time (New Heavens, New Earth, New Jerusalem, etc.).

Canonical Arrangement: 8 Tips (HO, 4)


End of Luke & Beginning of John


“Canonization” of the NT

Long Process of Development:• writing, sharing, collecting, editing, translating,

debating, interpreting the books/letters now in NT

1st Cent. – individual writings composed2nd Cent. – writings collected (4 Gospels; Paul’s Letters)

4th Cent. – early canon lists• some with fewer than books: 2 Peter? Revelation?• some with more: Didache, Shepherd of Hermas, etc.• 367 – Easter Letter of St. Athanasius – first list of all 27

16th Cent. – Council of Trent• First "official" listing of all 46 OT & 27 NT books• In reaction to Protestants (esp. regarding OT Apocrypha)


Based on Vatican II: Dei Verbum

1.Historical Events

2.Oral Tradition

3.Written Texts

4.Canonization

Stages of Gospel Formation

• Life & Ministry of Jesus• Oral Tradition• Written Sources• Written Texts• Distribution• Collection• Canonization• Translation• Interpretation• Application

Ten Stages of NT Formation


Four Main Criteria for Canonicity

1) Apostolic Origin – • attributed to and/or based on preaching/teaching of first-

generation apostles (or their closest companions)

2) Universal Acceptance – • acknowledged by all major Christian communities in the

Mediterranean world (by end of 4th century)

3) Liturgical Use – • read publicly along with OT when early Christians gathered

for Lord's Supper (weekly worship services)

4) Consistent Message – • containing theological ideas compatible with other accepted

Christian writings (incl. divinity & humanity Jesus)


•Biography?•History?•Yes and No!

•Biographical, but not modern “biography”•Historical, but not contemporary “history”•Euangelion = Proclamation of “Gospel” or “GOOD NEWS”!

What Is a “Gospel”?

Important Definitions:

•"gospel" = "good news" = oral preaching• from Gk. Ευ̉Sαγγέλιον = Evangelion (cf. Eng. "Evangelist")

eu = "good"; angelos = "messenger"• "Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee,

proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, 'The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.' " (Mark 1:14-15; NRSV)

• "Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures, the gospel concerning his Son…" (Romans 1:1-3; NRSV)

• "But the birthday of the god (Caesar Augustus) was… the beginning of the good news for the world…" (Prien inscription)


Important Definitions (cont.)

• "Gospel" = "written account about Jesus"• Mark was first to use "gospel" in this sense:• "The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God." (Mark 1:1)

• NT Gospel Titles (added in 2nd Cent.):• "Gospel according to Mark; Gospel according to…"

• "Canon"• "Official List" of writings ("scriptures") considered foundational by some group: HB canon, NT canon…

• Usually religious, but not only:e.g. Shakespearean canon


Important Definitions (cont.)

• Four "Canonical Gospels"• Matthew, Mark, Luke, John• Dates: 1st century (60's – 90's)

• Order? Mark probably first, then Matthew, Luke; John last

• "Non-canonical Gospels"• Many other short books• mostly from 2nd to 4th cent.• about Jesus' life and/or his teachings• not all explicitly entitled “Gospel”


Who Wrote the Gospels?

•Four Evangelists?•God? Holy Spirit?•Catholic Answer: BOTH / AND!

•Doctrine of “Inspiration”•Historicity of the Gospels (PBC)

Who Wrote the Gospels?

•Greek Titles: Euangelion KATA…• Not “Gospel OF…” but “Gospel ACCORDING TO Mark”(or Matt / Luke / John)

•Four Evangelists:• Matthew: Angel• Mark: Lion• Luke: Ox• John: Eagle

Four-fold Role of the Evangelists

Based on Vatican II: Dei Verbum

• Selectors – from among the many things Jesus said and did, they chose which stories they wanted to include and which to omit.

• Arrangers – they organized materials in a particular sequence, not necessarily chronologically but often in thematic blocks.

• Shapers – they adapted and edited the individual stories from their sources so as to emphasize the themes they wanted to stress.

• Proclaimers – they were not objective historians, but preached the “good news” about Jesus in ways appropriate to their audiences.

Handout, p. 4 (bottom)


• Is it the SAME Jesus in all four Gospels?•Best Catholic Answer:

• Not “Yes” or “No” – but “Yes and No”!

•Same historical person: Jesus of Naz.•Same divine person: Christ, Son of God

• But four very different portraits• Different theological emphases

One Jesus: Four Gospels

•THREE-Year Cycle for most Sundays:• Year A: mostly Matthew• Year B: mostly Mark• Year C: mostly Luke

•JOHN interspersed:• Mostly Lent and Easter• Some in Advent and Christmas• Ord. Time: 2nd Sun. ABC & 17th-21st Sun. B

•Weekdays: Matt / Mark / Luke each year

Gospels in Lectionary (HO, p.5)


•Most of Mark used on Sundays, Year B• Parts omitted on Sundays are mostly used on weekdays

Mark in Lectionary (HO, p.6)


1) Why is important to consider the

many STAGES in the formation

of the New Testament Canon?

2) Why is it crucial to understand

the “Four-fold Role of the

Evangelists as Authors”?

Table-Group Discussions


Faith-Sharing Guidelines (Gold)“Ten Commandments” – for SPEAKING and LISTENING1. See Jesus in every member of your group.2. Love each member just as she or he is today.3. Treat everyone as well as you want them to treat you (the “Golden Rule”).4. Share only what God is revealing to you about yourself and your own life.5. Allow each person equal time to share with the group, but don’t force anyone.6. Be courteous of one another. Allow each person to speak without interruption.7. Listening is even more important than speaking (we have two ears, one mouth).8. Do not try to solve another person’s problems. Do not teach, preach, judge,

condemn, or give advice. Just listen and offer support.9. Do not share with others outside the group what you heard in the group.

Confidentiality is essential for the trust level of a group.10. All members of the group assume responsibility for these guidelines.

Gently remind and lovingly encourage one another if anyone forgets.


Session 2: Intro to MARK

•Mark’s Gospel: Outline & Overview•Mark’s Gospel: Literary Features•Jesus’ Preaching & Teaching•Jesus’ Public Ministry & Miracles•Group Discussions: Why does the Markan Jesus not want most people to tell others about him?


• Is there even an “original text”?• Ongoing interplay between live preaching and written/expanded “performance notes”

•One author? Multiple authors? Final author?• Aramaic Matthew? vs. Final/canonical Mt?• Proto-Luke? vs. Final/canonical Luke (&Acts)• Early edition(s) of Mark vs. later editions• Early edition(s) of John vs. later editions

Rethink Gospel Formation

•Traditional Bias: “Apostolic Witness”• Matthew and John were apostles, thus the most historical

•Modern Bias: “Markan Priority”• Mark is earliest, thus most historical• John is latest, thus least historical

•Today: Apply the Both/And Approach:• All FOUR Gospels: BOTH History & Theology

Synoptics vs. John

•Turn to ONE neighbor (or at most two), and briefly share:

•What were your overall impressions as you read the ENTIRE Gospel of Mark?

•What stood out for you or surprised you?

•How did reading this Gospel affect you?

Initial Sharing in Pairs


•Full-color handout: new for today• Mark = Yellow• Matthew = Red• Luke = Blue• John = Grey (or Brown)

•Study Vertically and Horizontally• Vertically: focus on each Gospel separately• Horizontally: compare features in 4 Gospels

4 Gospels: Comparative Charts


• Attributed author: "John Mark of Jerusalem" (Acts 12:12; 15:37; Col 4:10; Phlm 1:24; 1Pet 5:13)

• Implied author: bilingual (Aramaic/Greek) 2nd generation Xn; the "young man" of 14:51-52?

• Audience: mostly Gentile converts, fairly new in their faith, facing persecutions

• Location: probably written in or to Christian cmty in Rome; possibly Decapolis, Syria or Alexandria?

• Date: first written "Gospel"; very late 60's or early 70's (Jewish War 66-70)

• Sub-genre: narrated "good news" (1:1) about Jesus, esp. his powerful actions & his suffering & death

• Purpose: to encourage Xns undergoing trials & persecutions

Mark: Literary Historical Issues


• Introduction: John the Baptist & Jesus (1:1-15)- incl. the theme of Jesus' preaching (v. 15)

• Early Ministry: Jesus heals, preaches, teaches, in Galilee and beyond (1:16 – 6:6)

• Expanded Ministry: Jesus continues preaching, healing, and encountering opposition (6:7 – 8:21)

• Central Section: Jesus & disciples "On the Way" to Jerusalem (8:22 – 10:52; incl. passion predictions)

• Final Ministry: Jesus confronts authorities in Jerusalem; apocalyptic discourse (11:1 – 13:37)

• Passion Narrative: Jesus' Last Supper, arrest, trials, crucifixion, death, burial (14:1 – 15:47)

• Conclusion: women find Jesus' tomb empty (16:1-8)- vv. 9-20 are not original, but added later

Mark: Structure / Outline (HO, p.7)


• 1:1 - Introductory Verse• 3:19b-21 - Jesus' Family Tries to Restrain Him• 4:26-29 - The Parable of the Seed Growing of Itself• 7:31-37 - Jesus Heals a Deaf Man in the Decapolis• 8:22-26 - Jesus Gives Sight to Blind Man of Bethsaida• 14:51-52 - Young Man Flees Naked after Jesus' Arrest

• [16:14-18] - [The Commissioning of the Eleven]

Material ONLY in Mark


•Handout, pp. 7-10

• http://catholic-resources.org/Bible/Mark-Literary.htm

Mark: Literary Themes & Features


•Handout, pp. 11-14

• http://catholic-resources.org/Bible/Mark-Outlines.htm

Mark: Section-by-Section Outlines


•Why does the Markan Jesus NOT want most people to tell others about him?

Table-Group Discussions:


•Purchase of Textbooks

•Purchase of Now You Know Media CDs

•F O O D !

LUNCH Break


Session 3: Christology & Discipleship• Mark’s Christology: Who Is Jesus? (Christ/Servant)• Disciples & Apostles (students & missionaries)• Role Models in Mark’s Gospel (negative & positive)• Jesus’ Journey to Jerusalem: Three Passion Predictions

• Bethsaida & Bartimaeus: Blindness and (In)Sight

• Group Discussions: Which character in Mark’s Gospel inspires you the most, as a role model? Why?


•WHO IS JESUS?

• http://catholic-resources.org/Bible/Mark-Christology.htm

• Christological Titles in the NT:• http://catholic-resources.org/Bible/Christological_Titles.htm • HO, pg. 19-20

Christology in Mark


•How are WE to follow Jesus?

• http://catholic-resources.org/Bible/Mark-Discipleship.htm

• CENTRAL SECTION OF MARK:• Handout, p. 13

Discipleship in Mark


•Which character in Mark’s Gospel inspires you the most, as a role model? Why?

Table/Group Discussions


Session 4: Eschatology & Passion•Mark 13 – The Eschatological Discourse•Mark 14-15 – The Passion Narrative•Mark 16:1-8 – The Empty Tomb Story(& later additions, vv. 9-20)

•So What? – Mark’s Gospel for Today’s Christians

•Q & A:


Eschatology in Mark

•Mark 13 - “Eschatological Discourse”

• http://catholic-resources.org/Bible/Mark-Outlines.htm • Handout, p. 13 (bottom)

• http://catholic-resources.org/Bible/Mark-Ecclesiology-Eschatology.htm


•Mark 14-15 – Mark’s “Passion Narrative”

• http://catholic-resources.org/Bible/Mark-Outlines.htm • Handout, p. 14

• http://catholic-resources.org/Bible/Passion.htm

Passion of Jesus in Mark


Monthly Assignments (Lilac HO)

• AFTER Session: Writing Assignment• Monthly ONE-page Reflection Paper• Email to your “Reader” within TWO weeks

• BEFORE next Session: Reading Assignments• BIBLE: New Testament itself• Textbooks:

• M.N. Ralph, A Walk through the NT• R. Brown, Introduction to the NT • K. Aland, Synopsis of the Four Gospels


Year 1 Syllabus (Salmon HO from Aug.)Sept. 19: Introduction to NT & Gospel of Mark

• BIBLE: The Gospel according to Mark (all 16 chaps.)• ALAND: Pp. 1, 12-20; study Index, pp. 341-355• BROWN: Chapters 1, 6A (pp. 99-111), Ch. 7; also skim Ch. 2 & 3 (as time permits)

• RALPH: Chapters 1–3

Reflection Paper, e-mail to your reader by Oct. 3: • Choose Mark 5, or Mark 7, or Mark 13• Follow Guidelines from Lilac Handout from August


Monthly Reflection Papers (Lilac)Levels of Interpretation:

Questions to Consider:

LITERAL What is the content of this biblical text? What is it literally about?Also, what is the literary genre or style of this ancient scriptural text?

RHETORICAL What message did the author intend to convey to the original readers?What did the biblical author want these readers to know and/or to do?

PERSONAL What does this text mean to me, here and now, on a personal level?How can I apply it to my own life today, as an individual believer?

COMMUNAL

What does this text say to all of us together, as a faith community today?How can Christian Churches apply these lessons for the common good?


•Song: Jerusalem, My Destiny (v. 2)

Closing Prayer


God Bless You!

See you on Oct. 17

(Gosp. acc. to Matthew)

Departure


Documents

WELCOME TO CBISA 2015-18 Catholic Bible Institute of Southern Arizona