The New Testament
Rob James
June 3, 2026
THE SYNOPTIC GOSPELS
Mark, jumbled, featuring obtuse disciples but more authentic, 70 ce; Matthew, Jewish and ecclesiastical, 90 ce; Luke, Gentile, literary and historical, 90 ce.
Conception and Birth. Matthew’s genealogy of Christ (Gk “anointed one”) shows Joseph’s descent from David through the royal line of his son King Solomon to fulfill Isaiah 11; Luke’s genealogy traces Joseph back to Adam but comes to David through the nonroyal line of David’s other son Nathan. [END NOTE A] Mary conceives before her pending marriage to Joseph and angel Gabriel annunciates to her, or to Joseph and her, that she will bear the Savior whose name will be Jesus (Yeshu, short for the ordinary name Yehoshua or Joshua). He grows up in Galilee in Nazareth. As 12-year-old boy, Jesus debated with elders in the temple, “my Father’s house.”
Baptism and Temptation. Meanwhile, Isaiah 40’s “voice in wilderness” John the Baptist is born to old and barren Zechariah (temporarily made mute) and Mary’s kinswoman Elizabeth. Angel Gabriel tells them “From the very first he will be filled with the Holy Spirit;” Mary recites the Magnificat, Zechariah recites the Benedictus. An ascetic John preaches that the kingdom of Heaven is at hand, and baptizes in the River Jordan (an old Semitic ritual that among other things was used to convert Gentiles to Judaism). He criticizes the Pharisees (dominant Jewish group after 70 ce, kind of Reformish and Western-worldly, loose interpretation school, believed in resurrection) and the Sadducees (literalists who did not believe in any resurrection). He baptizes Jesus (for conformity’s sake, not for sin), sees the Spirit dove and hears “This is my Son, my Beloved.” [END NOTE B] Satan leads Jesus away to desert where he fasts 40 days. He won’t make bread from stone (man lives on Word not bread), won’t leap from parapet so God can save him (don’t test God), won’t worship Satan to gain kingdoms (worship only God). Jesus preaches repentance, collects Simon Peter and Andrew (brothers to be made “fishers of men”) and James and John Zebedee (mending nets, they left their father), cures all over Galilee.
Sermon on the Mount. Beatitudes: those who know their need of God (the “poor in spirit”), the hungry, the sorrowful, the meek, the justice-seeking, the merciful, the pure- hearted, the peacemakers, and the persecuted will find fulfillment in the Kingdom of Heaven. Believers should show the world. The lamp shines from atop the stand, not under a tub. But don’t be religiously ostentatious, making longwinded public prayers. Just say the Lord’s Prayer: forgive and seek forgiveness. The Jewish Law is not abolished, it’s made complete, newly interpreted inwardly: Anger, not just murder; lust, not just adultery; cheek-turning, not just the implied mercy of the lex talionis; oath-swearing, not just oath-keeping; enemy-loving, not just friend-loving. (“Hate your enemy” is what gospel says, but it’s folklore not the Old Testament.) Don’t sweat for material reward; you can’t serve two masters. Take a cue from the unemployed lilies of the field, the rest will come to you; each day is rough enough. Judge not, that ye not be judged. Don’t criticize others’ eye-motes when you’ve got a beam in yours. Don’t cast pearls before swine. Ask, and you’ll get. Follow the Golden Rule: do unto others as you would have others do unto you. Watch for false prophets—no good fruits (“figs”) come from a bad tree (“thistle”). Do all this and you’re building your house on rock.
Teaching and healing I. Miracles in Capernaum (still in Galilee, on waterfront). The centurion’s 4. faith is so great that Jesus can cure his paralyzed son from a distance. On the water at night, a storm scares the disciples, who wake Jesus, who stills the water. Walking in Gadarenes, he sends demons “whose name is Legion” into a herd of pigs, but asks followers not to tell of his miracles (fulfilling Isaiah 42 (“He will not shout, nor will his voice be heard in the streets”)). In Galilee, Jesus confronts [Shammaite] Pharisees. Yes, Jesus goes to sinners; it’s the sick, not the healthy, that need a doctor. No, disciples don’t fast, because Jesus won’t be with them long and in any event you should put new wine in new wineskins. When Pharisees challenge Sabbath corn-picking by disciples, Jesus points out OT precedents, notes that donkeys are watered and oxes are rescued from wells on the Sabbath, and states that the Son of Man is sovereign over the Sabbath. Proceeds to heal on the Sabbath; don’t tell. When Pharisees suggest it takes a devil to drive one out, he responds that a house divided against itself cannot stand (Matthew: besides, Pharisees drive demons out too).
Apostles’ Charge. Jesus picks up Matthew, a despised tax-collector, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, James Alphaeus, Thaddeus, Simon Zealot and Judas. Commissioned the Twelve as apostles to drive out demons and cure diseases. The charge: Go only to the “lost sheep” of Israel, announce that the kingdom of Heaven is “upon you,” perform miracles. Be frugal, take whatever hospitality each town extends to you (but if they don’t extend any, shake the dust off your feet as you’re leaving, and there’ll be hell for them to pay on Judgment Day). It’ll be rough out there, “brother against brother,” but don’t be afraid. “Be wary as serpents, innocent as doves.” My message calls for lines of separation. Be strong, for before my Father I’ll acknowledge or disown him who acknowledges or disowns me on earth. “You must not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a [dividing] sword.” Alas for Galilean cities where he performed miracles! Even evil Tyre, Sidon and Sodom would have repented, so it’ll be worse for you. Praise God for hiding from wise and revealing to simple. No one knows the Father but the Son and those to whom the Son may choose to reveal him. Bear my lighter yoke. There will be no sign of the Judgment Day, but like Jonah the Son of Man will spend three days in the bowels of the earth. That day will feature greater repentance than that of the men of Nineveh and greater judgments than those the Queen of the South (Sheba) came to hear Solomon render. All sin may be forgiven except spirit-slander. (Imprisoned John sends his disciples to ask if Jesus is the one; Jesus suggests they check out the miracles. No man has ever been greater than John, but he’s less than the least in heaven.)
Teaching and healing II. In Nazareth, Jesus is too familiar to be believed a prophet or teacher—a prophet without honor in his own country. Rebukes mother and brothers; his family is the believers. To woman who praises the womb and breasts that sustained him, he rejoins, “No, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it.” Lakeside Parables: You reap as you have sown. God lets the enemy-sown darnelweed grow along with his wheat—until harvest, that is. The Good Vine-dresser. The tiny mustard-seed yields big plants; a little yeast goes a long way. Heaven is worth the treasure in the field, and the pearl of great price. In Gennesaret, feeds 5000 from 5 loaves and 2 fishes. Walks on water. Simon Peter starts walking over, after his request is granted, but being of little faith began to sink. Refutes tradition of hand-washing; puts God over tradition. Unclean food doesn’t defile mouths, unclean speech does. Any follower of Pharisees is blind following the blind. Jesus pays temple-tax; in Rome, pay Caesar. In Phoenicia (Tyre, Sidon), he is to help Israel, not Canaan; yet the Canaanite woman’s humble faith there wins a miracle from him. Back to Galilee, feeds 4000 with 7 loaves and a few fishes. Jesus cures a boy the disciples can’t cure because of their small faith. Again predicts final conflict. Simon Peter proclaims Jesus the Son of Man (don’t tell); Jesus proclaims Simon Peter the Rock, gives him keys of Heaven. Jesus intimates final conflict, suggests Second Coming within disciples’ lifetime. To be saved, give up everything; what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and to lose his soul? Transfiguration with Moses and Elijah before Peter and the Zebedi, and voice saying “This is my Son” (don’t tell).
Sermon on the Church. The childlike are the greatest in heaven; become like them and don’t harm them. Better to cut off misbehaving body parts than face hell. Come to God over your ties to your mother and father. Be good example; if salt loses savor, with what shall we season it? Joy over repentance (99:1 ratio, I guess) Prodigal son accorded warm treatment. (Luke: Mysterious dishonest steward parable.) Forgive others, too, 490 times over, or God won’t forgive you. Late believers get same reward; many who are last shall be first. Pharisees ask if man can divorce at will, Jesus says what God has joined, no man may tear asunder. Adultery to marry another after divorce other than for unchastity. May be better not to marry if you can stand it. Keep commandments, divulge possessions, or be like a camel trying to squeeze through needle-eye. Gather in prayer; I’m where 2 or more are gathered in my name.
The Road to Jerusalem. Near Mt. Olives, tells disciples to grab a she-ass and foal to ride (fulfilling Isaiah 62 and Zechariah 9). People lay palm branches in his path. Clears Temple of money-changers and pigeon-sellers, performs miracles. Foils the Pharisees with logical forks (won’t say God gave his authority unless they choose Johannine-baptism as God’s act (but they rejected John) or man’s act (a sure crowd-displeaser)). When asked when the Kingdom of God will come, he says it won’t be “over here” or “over there”; “in fact the Kingdom of God is among (within) you.” Foils (and accuses) Pharisees with parables (landlord will be mad at tenants who kill his son, host will be mad if invitees ignore or kill the messengers; many are called but few are chosen; pay taxes to Caesar). Quotes Psalm 118: The stone which the builders rejected is the main cornerstone. Foils Saducees’ question re repeat marriage in heaven; institution won’t exist there. Cites top two Commandments: love God and love your neighbor. At least one lawyer gets it (yay!). Good Samaritan loves his neighbor by helping strange muggee. Attacks hypocritical teachers. Woe unto you, lawyers! “You load men with intolerable burdens, and will not put a single finger to the load.” “You have taken away the key of knowledge. You did not go in yourselves, and those who were on their way in, you stopped.”
Sermon on the Second Coming. Predicts destruction of temple (reconstructed by Herod the Great 20 bce). Be wary of false signs, false prophets. True signs: war, famine, quakes, punishment of faithful, encirclement of Jerusalem (Luke 21). Judaean faithful should head for the hills—like Lot’s wife, no looking back! You’ll know signs like the sprouting fig signifies summer, and it’ll happen in your lifetime, but no man knows the day and hour, so keep awake! Judgment will occur without notice and will be meted out according to your works.
The Final Conflict. Meanwhile, priests and elders meet in palace of Sadducean High Priest Caiaphas, head of the Sanhedrin that advises Roman procurator Pontius Pilate on Jewish matters; conspire to get Jesus arrested and put to death before Passover. Judas betrays Jesus to priests for 30 silver pieces. Woman anoints Jesus with costly oil; the poor ye always have with ye. In Luke, she is an immoral woman, and Jesus tells her that her sins are forgiven. Last Supper on first day of Passover. Predicts betrayal by one of them. The bread is my body, the wine is my blood; eat and drink them. To Mt. Olives (predicts all apostles will fall from their faith; Peter and others deny; Jesus confirms three denials before cock-crow) and then to garden of Gethsemane, where Peter and the Zebedi nap when they were supposed to sit by (spirit willing but flesh weak). Jesus prays for cup to pass him by if possible; otherwise, Father, thy will be done. Judas betrays Jesus to priests with kiss, Jesus arrested. Chastises follower who sliced off ear of servant of Caiaphas. Disciples desert him. “Trial” by priests at Caiaphas’s palace. Accused of threatening to tear down and rebuild temple of God. When asked if he is the Messiah, says the words are yours and he will be at the right hand of God. Found guilty. Peter denies three times before cock-crow. Turnover to Roman Governor of Judea Pontius Pilate; a remorseful Judas hangs self. “Trial” by Pilate. Accused of opposing taxes and claiming to be King of the Jews. Jesus won’t answer whether he is King of the Jews. Pilate, egged by his clairvoyant wife, asks crowd to free one prisoner; crowd calls for Bar-Abbas pardon. Washes hands of matter by turning Jesus over to priests or mob, who settle on most severe and accursed death by crucifixion.
Crucifixion and the Experience of Resurrection. To Golgotha, Simon the Cyrene, a passing Libyan, carries cross. Cross reads “Jesus of Nazareth King of the Jews” (INRI). “Father, forgive them; they do not know what they are doing.” Friday Death. Cries “My God, my God, why hast thou foresaken me?” Temple-curtain rent, quake, dead enter Holy City. That night, wealthy disciple and Sanhedrin (high Jewish council) member Joseph of Arimithea wraps body in shroud and takes it to his own tomb, rolls stone in front. Romans seal tomb-stone and guard. Sunday: another quake, angel rolls stone to show Mary Mother, Mary Magdalene and Ma Zebedee that Jesus is not there. Jesus appears to the women, tells them to tell apostles (Matthew: to leave for Gaililee). Priests bribe soldiers to say the disciples stole the body. 11 apostles see Jesus (Matthew: in Galilee, Luke: in Bethany), who commands them to go to all nations.
GOSPEL OF JOHN
God is Logos. John bears witness to Logos becoming flesh, vox clamanti deserta.
Jesus takes disciples including John. Galilee--wedding at Cana, water to good wine. Jerusalem 1--drove money changers from temple. Pharisee told must be born again and believe in God (the famous 3:16). Samaria--deals with Samaritans. Prophet without honor in his own country. Jerusalem 2--cures sick at pool named Bethesda. Jesus preaches love of God the Father. Loves and fishes. Stills the water. Preaches Eucharist (but the Last Supper's bread/body and wine/blood are not in the Gospel of John). Jews question Jesus. "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone." Resurrects Lazarus. Mary wipes oily feet, Jesus commends her use of pricey lotion--"the poor you will have with you always."
Palm Sunday, sitting on donkey's colt in fulfillment of Zechariah 9:9. Jesus washes the disciples' feet, prophesizes his betrayal by one of them. Adds new commandment: love one another. My father's house has many mansions--I go to prepare yours. Arrested in Garden; as prophesized, Peter denies knowing Jesus thrice before cock crows. High Priest Caiaphas recommends one prisoner die. Examined by Pontius Pilate--"what is truth?" Jews call for release not of Jesus but of Barabbas the robber. Crucifixion. Pilate writes "King of Jews"; Jews say write "He said, 'I am King of the Jews'" but Pilate refuses. Joseph of Arimathea takes body, entombs it. On Sunday, Mary Magdalene sees the stone moved, 2 angels, then Jesus. Doubting Thomas must put his hand in Christ's side. Jesus urges the disciples to help fisherman, tend sheep.
REVELATION
of Jesus Christ via an angel to “John” at island of Patmos. "The time is near." Orders John to write to "angels" of 7 Asian churches--Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatria, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicaea. John enters door to heaven and sees the throned one with 24 crowned elders. 4 multi-eyed six-winged creatures: lion, calf, manface and eagle. On right hand a scroll with 7 seals. None worthy to open except the Lion of Judah, Root of David, the seven-horned seven-eyed Slain Lamb. Millions of angels appear and praise the Lamb, who opens the 7 seals:
SEAL 1. King of Conquest (or pestilence in later traditions) on white steed with bow. SEAL 2. War-inducing one on red steed with sword. SEAL 3. Merchant one on black horse weighing money for food, hence Famine. SEAL 4. Death on pale horse followed by Hades; kills a quarter of earth with war, hunger, death and beasts. SEAL 5. Martyrs given white robes, told to rest a little longer. SEAL 6. Earthquake, black sun, blood moon, falling stars, moving mountains and islands, all men great and small cower. 144,000 Israelites sealed on their foreheads a great multitude in white robes with palm branches in heaven. SEAL 7. 30 minutes silence, then 7 angels given 7 trumpets, after fire, lightning, thunder, and quake, the angels blow the 7 trumpets:
TRUMPET 1. Hail, fire, blood, third of trees and all grass burned. TRUMPET 2. Fiery mountain into sea, third bloody, third of fish and ships lost. TRUMPET 3. Star Wormwood falls from heaven and poisons water. TRUMPET 4. Third of sun, moon, stars darkened. TRUMPET 5. Star falls from heaven, he is given key to bottomless pit; opens it, darkening sun and air. Scorpion-like locusts emerge, tormenting the unsealed for 5 months. (Actually, locusts had man faces, woman hair, lion teeth, gilded crowns, armored horse shapes, sounds like chariots.) The "Star" is known in Hebrew as Abaddon and in Greek as Apollyon. TRUMPET 6. The famous 4 Horsemen (conquest/pestilence, war, famine, and death) and 200 million kill a third of mankind with fire, smoke and brimstone--still, humans don't repent. Angel with book lands with 7 thunders, orders John to measure the temple--not the outer court of Gentiles, who have 42 months; 2 witnesses have 1260 days to prophesy. Beast ascends from pit, kills the 2 in [Jerusalem], lie in state 3 1/2 days, then they rise and are taken into heaven. Earthquake kills 7000. TRUMPET 7. KINGDOM COME. More lightning, quake and hail. 12 star garlanded woman clothed in sun and shod in moon gives birth, amid sign of 10 horn, 10 crowned red dragon who wanted to devour the child; Christ caught up to God; woman fled for 1260 days. Michael and angels beat dragon Devil/Satan, cast him down to earth with his fallen angels. "Now salvation and kingdom come, for the accuser of our brethren [martyrer?] has been cast down." Dragon persecutes the woman but she is given wings; he tries to flood her but earth swallows up the water.
BEAST 1. 10 crowned horn 7 blasphemy-headed beast--leopard with bearfeet and lionmouth rises from sea. Dragon gives him authority, world marvels at healing of his mortal head wound; people worship Dragon and B1. B1 rules for 42 months, overcoming the saints.
BEAST 2. 2 lambhorns Dragon speaking beast causes all to worship B1. Making fiery signs, telling all to make images giving image breath, gives all a mark on right hand or forehead of B1. B1's number is 666, the "number of [a] man."
LAMB with 144,000 forehead and father-labeled on Zion virgins, faultless; angels tells people not to worship B1 or image or receive his mark. Son of Man, with crown and sickle, thrusts his sickle into the earth and reaps harvest; angel takes the sickle and reaps the "grapes of wrath," trampled under feet so that blood flowed 4 inches high for 1600 furlongs. Temple of tabernacle of the testimony in heaven opens--7 angels given golden bowls of the wrath of God--temple is off limits for now.
Seven Plagues. PLAGUE 1. Sores on those who worshipped B1 and have his mark. PLAGUE 2. Sea becomes blood, killing sea life. PLAGUE 3. Rivers become blood (fair turnaround for martyrers--"the judgments of The Lord God are true and righteous altogether"). PLAGUE 4. Scorching sun. PLAGUE 5. Darkness and pain but no repentance. PLAGUE 6. Dry Euphrates so Eastern kings can advance, 3 unclean spirits let loose from Dragon; B1 and B2 perform signs and gather army at Armaggedon. PLAGUE 7. "It is done," biggest quake and hail follow.
In wilderness, John sees woman on 10 horned, 7 headed scarlet beast, holding golden cup, on whose forehead is written BABYLON, MOTHER OF ABOMINATIONS. 7 heads, 7 mountains. 7 kings--5 dead, one lives, one future leader for short time. The beast is the 8th king. 10 horns are 10 short-lived kings with the 8th, but they will lose to angels. The woman is that great city that rules. Men are called on to reject or accept her. Lamb's wife is clad in linen, sees white horse in heaven, with One with many crowns, red robe, leading the cavalry. Angel calls for birds to eat of dead soldiers.
Battle, B1 and B2 captured, cast into brimstone; all the rest are killed. Angel with key to bottomless pit binds Dragon/Devil/Satan and casts him in a pit with a seal for 1000 years. Martyrs (the first resurrection) live and reign with Jesus Christ for the millennium (1000 years); the rest of the dead stay dead for those 1000 years. Then Satan is released to deceive far-apart nations Gog and Magog, which surround the saints; but God sends fire to devour his host. Devil is cast into brimstone along with B1 and B2, this time to be tormented forever.
Judgment Day. Death and Hades into brimstone, rest of mankind judged--fire or heaven. Heaven and Earth pass away. New Jerusalem: no death, no sorrow, no pain, no night.
ACTS OF THE APOSTLES
By the author of the Gospel of Luke. Eleven disciples with the women and Mary and Jesus's "brothers" (kin?) gather--about 120. Peter: Judas Iscariot fulfilled scripture--with his 30 pieces of silver he bought Potter's Field, burst open, Akel Darma, field of blood. Matthias and the forgotten Joseph Justus drew lots and Matthias won, joining the 12 now called "apostles": Simon Peter, James, John, Andrew, Philip & Thomas twins, Bartholomew, Matthew, James son of Alphaneus, Simon Zealot, Judas son of James and now Matthias.
At Pentecost they speak in tongues; Peter converts 3000. Peter heals halt with John, Sadducees arrest them then let them go. Many convert and give all their provisions; Ananias and Sapphira try to hold back, and are smitten. Stephen preaches Mosaic succession; they strip of clothes before Saul of Tarsus stones him. Saul attacks the church with a vengeance, but he is converted by a blow on the road to Damascus. Peter converts Gentiles. Herod imprisons Peter, angel frees him. Herod dies. Saul now called Paul.
"To a God unknown" (17:23). Paul converts pagans. Romans capture Paul, "But I was born a citizen." Sadducees: no resurrection, no spirit. Pharisees: resurrection and spirit both, just not the Jesus we know.
GENERAL EPISTLES
Hebrews really a sermon, unknown author. Father to son. Backsliders have no second chance. Faith of our fathers, but Christ offers a better, higher sacrifice.
First Peter stand fast, rejoice in sufferings (written during a persecution)
Second Peter Day of the Lord will come, unexpected as a thief
First John a tract not a letter. The Son was with the Father since the beginning (like Gospel). Comma Johannum (reference to trinity) likely added in the early Christian Church.
Second John Jesus came to us in the flesh—you must believe in the physical incarnation of God
James
Jude
PAULINE EPISTLES
Romans (not founded by Paul, visited about 50 ce. Gospel of God, the Son and the Holy Spirit, for all nationas. He shall gain life who is justified through faith. God’s way of righting wrong gives unmerited acceptance to (i.e., justifies) believers in their faith (i.e., trust). God has no favorites between Gentile and Jew. Original sin is rescued by God’s grace. Perform duties to others (governors, masters, husbands, parents).
First Corinthians. Answers questions. Receive spiritual gifts, the greatest of which is love (famous thirteenth chapter, read at Sarah’s and my wedding).
Second Corinthians. After failures and depression. Slightly uplifted because the cause of the earlier rift has apologized.
Galatians Christians need not observe the Jewish laws. Peter is apostle to Jews, but Paul is apostle to the Gentiles—dispute between Paul and the Jerusalem Christians (Peter, James brother of Jesus) as to whether Christians must observe circumcision and dietary laws.
Ephesians (addressee added late; may be to all churches) Church is the body of Christ, not for a chosen people but for a single new humanity. Paul was captive in Rome at the time. Obey husbands, masters, governors,
Philippians. First church in Europe founded by Paul.
Colossians. Colossae is in Asia (Turkey). Preeminence of Christ.
First Thessalonians. Salonika. Coming of Christ will be like a thief in the night, so don’t get too eager.
Second Thessalonians. Coming of Christ will not happen before a final rebellion by wickedness in a human form.
Pastoral Letters (probably not really Paul’s): First Timothy (love of money is the root of all evil); Second Timothy (resurrection has not happened, and it doesn’t happen through baptism or eucharist); Titus (to the pure, all things are pure); Philemon (have your servant Onesimus back not as a slave but as a brother).
FURTHER NOTES
New Testament codified notably at the Synod of Hippo, 393. The Gospels are in Greek, compared to the spoken Aramaic and scriptural Hebrew: first the epistles attributed to Paul and other writers, then Mark and Q, then Matthew relying in part on Mark and Q, then Luke and Acts, then John and the Revelation. Gnostic Gospels unknown or rejected.
A quick summary of heresies:
Arianism—God the father created Jesus, so Jesus is not eternal and not the same substance as the Father. Maybe similar substance, or the same essence, but not the same substance. Combatted by Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed 325 and 381’s declaration of Jesus being co-eternal and the same substance.
Donatism—during Diocletian persecutions, some priests and bishops collaborated (traditores). Donatus was a rival bishop to traditores, set up own hierarchy and only priests consecrated thereby were recognized.
Pelagianism—no original sin, salvation for pagans and Jews
Benedictine order, closed off to world
Albigensianism/Catharism (purity)—Satan created the world, Jesus an angel. Reincarnation. There was a crusade against them.
1054 Great Schism between Latin (Holy Spirit proceeds from Father and Son (“filoque”), transubstantiation) and Orthodox (Holy Spirit proceeds from Father, consubstantiation). Orthodox has many autocephalous and autonomous churches.
Dominican and Franciscan orders, more engaged in world, universities. Dominicans led to Inquisition.
Antimonianism throughout history of Christianity. Divine grace relieves one of the duty to obey moral laws. Branches include Marcionites, with free love.
PROTESTANT TRADITIONS (Scripture interpreted by believer, not by hierarchical church; priesthood of all believers, ministers lack any special charism; grace and faith through Christ afford salvation, not human works or the dispensation of the Church or its priests)
Lutheran (consubstantiation spiritual presence)
Anglican (Episcopalian in US)
Calvinism (predestination, elect)
Reform (Calvinist offshoot—Presbyterian in US and UK)
Free (catchall for Congregationalists (infant baptism), Baptists (adult baptism), Methodists, Disciples of Christ)
Outside the traditions are the popular movements Pentacostalism, Fundamentalism, Evangelicalism
Almost immediately sprung up Arminianism, contesting the idea of an elect and of predestination. In modern times, most traditions reject predestination.
Anabaptists, adult baptism. Zwingli, Hutter, Menno (Mennonites), Amish.
Baptists both general and particular (merged 1891). From Rhode Island and South Carolina into Appalachians and South. 1845 Southern Baptists broke over slavery. National Baptists are black churches.
Jansenists: Catholics who believe in predestination.
Methodists: Part of Anglican church during lives of Wesley brothers. Lived experience key to salvation.
Universalism: no predestination or hell.
Socianism in eastern Europe, later Unitarian: no Trinity. Harvard Divinity School. Bible a book, God is good to all. Unitarians and Universalists merged in 1961.
Mormonism: Joseph Smith 1823 plates, priest ordination. Israelites came to America 600 bce, Jesus came to America after resurrection. Mormons charged to build New Zion here. New revelations all the time. Polygamy 1852-1890. No original sin, no Trinity, baptize dead.
Seventh-Day Adventists. Led to Jehovah’s Witnesses: Jesus was created, an angel, we are in the end times.
Fundamentals tracts 1909. Personal relation to Christ, interpret Bible literally, YMCA, Salvation Army, end times, support for state of Israel to fulfill prophecy, 1925 Scopes trial drove out of mainstream, Billy Graham, Fuller Theological Seminary.
END NOTES
A. Since Micah 5 says Israel’s deep-rooted governor will come out of Bethlehem, not Nazareth, Matthew and Luke come up with prophecy-fulfilling stories to explain why Jesus suddenly starts preaching in Nazareth. Unfortunately, they contradict one another:
Matthew 2: Joseph and Mary reside in Bethlehem, where Jesus is born. King Herod the Great’s magi tell him the Jews’ king has been born in Bethlehem. He sends them to Bethlehem, where they worship and don’t return; an angel tells Joseph to move the family to Egypt (picking up an out-of-Egypt prophecy in Hosea 11, while the Gospel writer is at it!). Herod later slaughters all the 2-year-olds near Bethlehem. (Mitchell says there was no such thing historically. Matthew refers to a prophecy about Rachel weeping because no more children?) Another angel tells Joseph of Herod the Great’s death, but since his son is in charge in the south, the family comes to Nazareth.
Luke 2: Joseph and Mary reside in Nazareth but late in Mary’s pregnancy have to go to Bethlehem, seat of Joseph’s house of David, for the first Augustinian census. (Mitchell says no such thing historically, but Josephus cites a registration in 6-7 ce) Born in a manger, shepherds worship him after seeing angel. The family returns home to Nazareth.
No wonder I was confused about these stories as a kid!
B. John the Baptist was later imprisoned by Herod Antipas (King Herod the Great’s son, who became Tetrarch (Roman client-state governor) of Galilee and Perea) for questioning his right to marry his brother Philip’s wife Herodias. Her loyal daughter Salome danced and, seizing on his rashly unconditional promise, asked for and got John’s head on a silver charger. When Herod Antipas hears of Jesus he thinks it’s John reincarnate.