Difficulties of new testament pdf

Here are some difficulties in understanding the New Testament:

Historical Difficulties

1. Dating the New Testament: The exact dates of composition and transmission of the New Testament texts are still debated among scholars.
2. Historical Reliability: The accuracy of the historical accounts in the New Testament, such as the life of Jesus and the early Christian church, is subject to interpretation.
3. Lack of Contemporary Evidence: There is limited contemporary evidence to support the events described in the New Testament, making it difficult to verify their accuracy.

Theological Difficulties

1. The Trinity: The concept of the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) is complex and challenging to understand, even for Christians.
2. The Nature of Jesus: The New Testament presents Jesus as both fully human and fully divine, which can be difficult to reconcile.
3. The Problem of Evil: The existence of evil and suffering in the world raises questions about God's sovereignty and goodness.

Literary Difficulties

1. Authorship: The authorship of some New Testament books is disputed, making it difficult to determine their original intent and meaning.
2. Genre: The New Testament contains a variety of genres, including history, biography, poetry, and epistles, which can make interpretation challenging.
3. Language: The original languages of the New Testament (Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic) are no longer widely spoken, requiring translation and interpretation.

Cultural Difficulties

1. Cultural Context: The New Testament was written in a specific cultural and historical context that may be unfamiliar to modern readers.
2. Social and Economic Background: The social and economic conditions of the ancient Mediterranean world can be difficult to understand and relate to.
3. Symbolism and Metaphor: The use of symbolism and metaphor in the New Testament can be challenging to interpret and apply to modern life.

Other Difficulties

1. Language and Style: The language and style of the New Testament can be complex and challenging to understand, even for fluent readers.
2. Theological and Philosophical Concepts: The New Testament contains complex theological and philosophical concepts that require careful study and reflection.
3. Interpretive Disagreements: There are ongoing debates and disagreements among scholars and theologians about the meaning and application of New Testament texts.

You can download a PDF on these difficulties from various online sources, such as:

• "Difficulties in Understanding the New Testament" by Dr. Mark L. Strauss (PDF)
• "Challenges in Understanding the New Testament" by Dr. Craig S. Keener (PDF)
• "Difficulties in Interpreting the New Testament" by Dr. D.A. Carson (PDF)

Please note that these resources may require registration or subscription to access the PDF.