Introduction to the New Testament

Each question must have a minimum of 250 words, with two scholarly reference (references do not count towards word count!!) Be sure to watch your grammar, punctuation, and spelling and cite any sources in APA style.

1. The Church’s first Council (Conference, pp. 297-298) revealed some differences in ideas of ministry and mission between Paul and the Church in Jerusalem. What were some of those differences and do you think that the early church’s experience in dealing with these differences can be helpful for dealing with differences in the church today? What was the differences between the Sadducees, Pharisees, Essenes, and Zealots?
2. Paul clearly emphasizes God’s grace, Jesus’ work on the cross and the role of faith in our justification (see, for example, Rom. 2: 28-29; 3:23-24; Gal. 2:16-21). But does this mean that he completely rejects the importance of works in the Christian life? What role do good works play in the life of a Christian?
3. The question of the pseudonymity of some of Paul’s letters has been a controversial one in the Church. Does the possibility that some of these letters were not written by Paul change your view of these books? Should they be included in the New Testament canon if Paul didn’t write them?