How do I revise New Testament Studies for Pearson A-Level?

Create a comparison table of Jewish groups.

What exam tips are there for New Testament Studies? (2)

Link each group to specific New Testament passages.

What exam tips are there for New Testament Studies? (3)

Focus on how context shapes interpretation.

What mistakes should I avoid in New Testament Studies?

Confusing Pharisees with Sadducees on key beliefs.

What are common errors in New Testament Studies exams? (2)

Overlooking the diversity within Jewish groups.

New Testament Studies

PEARSON

A-Level

This topic explores the political and religious context of first-century Palestine, including the roles of Pharisees, Sadducees, and Zealots. Understanding this background is essential for interpreting the New Testament.

Objectives

Exam Tips

Pitfalls

Key Terms

Mark Points

Subtopics in this area

New Testament Studies

Topic Overview

New Testament Studies is a core component of the Pearson A-Level Religious Studies course, focusing on the historical, literary, and theological analysis of the New Testament texts. This topic explores the formation of the canon, the synoptic problem, the life and teachings of Jesus, the development of early Christianity, and the theological themes in Paul's letters. Students engage with critical methods such as source, form, and redaction criticism to understand how the New Testament was shaped by its historical context and the needs of early Christian communities.

Studying the New Testament is essential for understanding the foundations of Christian belief and practice, as well as the broader religious and cultural landscape of the Roman world. It also develops critical thinking skills by examining texts as both historical documents and sacred scripture. This topic connects to other areas of the A-Level, such as philosophy of religion and ethics, by addressing questions about revelation, authority, and moral teaching.

Mastery of New Testament Studies requires careful attention to scholarly debates, such as the dating of the Gospels, the historical Jesus versus the Christ of faith, and the relationship between Paul's letters and the Gospels. Students should be prepared to evaluate different interpretations and use evidence from the texts to support their arguments.

What You Need to Demonstrate

Key skills and knowledge for this topic

Describes the political situation under Roman rule.
Explains the beliefs and practices of the Pharisees.
Distinguishes between Sadducees and Pharisees.
Describes the Zealots' role in Jewish resistance.
Connects historical context to New Testament events.
Explain the synoptic problem and its significance.
Describe the two-source hypothesis (Mark and Q).
Analyse key themes in Mark's Gospel (e.g., messianic secret).

Marking Points

Key points examiners look for in your answers

Describes the political situation under Roman rule.
Explains the beliefs and practices of the Pharisees.
Distinguishes between Sadducees and Pharisees.
Describes the Zealots' role in Jewish resistance.
Connects historical context to New Testament events.
Explain the synoptic problem and its significance.
Describe the two-source hypothesis (Mark and Q).
Analyse key themes in Mark's Gospel (e.g., messianic secret).
Compare Mark's portrayal of Jesus with other synoptics.
Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the two-source hypothesis.
Examines Jesus' teaching on the Kingdom of God.
Analyses miracles and their significance.
Uses biblical references to support arguments.
Considers different scholarly perspectives.
Award credit for accurately comparing at least two Gospel crucifixion accounts, noting differences in sayings from the cross, timing, and attendant events.
Credit demonstration of understanding of source criticism by referencing the Synoptic problem and John's independent tradition.
Award credit for evaluating resurrection evidence using multiple historical criteria (e.g., multiple attestation, embarrassment, early creedal material).
Credit engagement with scholarly perspectives (e.g., Wright, Crossan, Lüdemann) and balanced theological reflection on the meaning of resurrection.
Award credit for demonstrating accurate knowledge of the events of Pentecost as described in Acts 2, including the phenomena of wind, fire, and speaking in tongues.
Expect students to analyse Peter’s sermon, highlighting its use of Old Testament prophecy (Joel 2:28-32) to interpret Pentecost as the inauguration of the Messianic age.
Credit responses that explain the significance of Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus, referencing his transformation from persecutor to apostle, and the divine commissioning in Acts 9, 22, and 26.
Expect detailed knowledge of at least two missionary journeys with reference to key locations (e.g., Antioch, Corinth, Ephesus), companions (e.g., Barnabas, Silas), and the strategic decision to preach to Gentiles (e.g., the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15).

Examiner Tips

Expert advice for maximising your marks

💡Create a comparison table of Jewish groups.
💡Link each group to specific New Testament passages.
💡Focus on how context shapes interpretation.
💡Use specific Gospel passages to support your analysis.
💡Understand the historical context of Gospel formation.
💡Be prepared to critique the two-source hypothesis.
💡Quote relevant scripture accurately.
💡Link miracles to Jesus' overall message.
💡Discuss both theological and historical views.
💡Structure essays to first explicate the biblical material (crucifixion accounts), then critically evaluate resurrection evidence, maintaining a clear distinction between description and evaluation.
💡Use scholarly nomenclature accurately (e.g., 'Messianic Secret', 'Sonderquelle', 'pericope') to demonstrate depth of study.
💡In evaluation, present contrasting scholarly positions and your own reasoned judgment, supported by specific textual or historical examples.
💡Avoid mere listing of theories; instead, weigh evidence and acknowledge the interplay between historical analysis and confessional belief.
💡When answering questions on Pentecost, integrate theological interpretation with historical detail; use concepts such as 'inauguration of the new covenant' and 'empowerment for witness' to demonstrate higher-level analysis.
💡For Peter's role, analyse the structure and content of his speeches in Acts (e.g., 2:14-40, 3:12-26) to show how they shaped early Christian kerygma and responded to Jewish audiences.
💡On Paul's conversion, compare the three accounts in Acts (9:1-19, 22:1-21, 26:1-23) to highlight key themes like divine revelation, commissioning, and the shift from law to grace.
💡In essays on missionary journeys, always relate the geographical spread to the theological rationale for Gentile inclusion, using the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15) as a pivotal moment that legitimised Paul's mission without requiring circumcision.

Common Mistakes

Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

Confusing Pharisees with Sadducees on key beliefs.
Overlooking the diversity within Jewish groups.
Ignoring the impact of Hellenistic culture.
Confusing the two-source hypothesis with the four-source hypothesis.
Overlooking the role of oral tradition.
Misinterpreting Mark's Christology.
Describing miracles without analysing meaning.
Ignoring the context of Jesus' teachings.
Overgeneralising the Kingdom of God concept.
Harmonising the Gospel accounts into a single narrative without acknowledging the distinct theological purposes of each evangelist.
Treating the resurrection solely as a historical event verifiable by empirical methods, neglecting its nature as a faith claim beyond historical inquiry.
Confusing the 'empty tomb' tradition with the resurrection proclamations, failing to distinguish between absence of body and encounters with the risen Jesus.
Ignoring the role of ancient literary conventions (e.g., Greco-Roman biographies) in shaping the passion narratives.
Treating Pentecost merely as a historical or miraculous event without linking it to the theological concept of the birth of the church and the reversal of Babel through the universal proclamation of the gospel.
Assuming Peter's role was simply that of a speaker, overlooking his leadership in interpreting the event through Joel's prophecy and guiding the newly formed community in Acts 2:42-47.
Reducing Paul's conversion to a psychological experience or personal change of heart, neglecting the supernatural elements (light, voice of Jesus) and its immediate connection to his apostolic mission to the Gentiles.
Failing to connect Paul's missionary journeys to the broader theme of the spread of the church from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth, instead listing journeys as isolated facts without theological or strategic significance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions students ask about this topic

Key Terminology

Essential terms to know

Political context

Religious groups

Second Temple Judaism

Synoptic problem

Two-source hypothesis

Mark's Gospel

Kingdom of God

Miracles

Son of Man

Crucifixion

Resurrection

Empty tomb

Pentecost

Peter

Paul

Missionary journeys

Likely Command Words

How questions on this topic are typically asked

Describe

Explain

Compare

Contrast

Discuss

Analyse

Evaluate

Examine

Ready to test yourself?

Practice questions tailored to this topic

New Testament Studies

Subtopics in this area

Topic Overview

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions

Key Terminology

Likely Command Words

Ready to test yourself?

Related Topics in PEARSON A-Level Religious Studies

Philosophy of Religion

Religion and Ethics

Philosophy of Religion

Religion and Ethics

New Testament Studies

Subtopics in this area

Topic Overview

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the synoptic problem and why is it important?

How do form critics analyse the Gospels?

What is the difference between the historical Jesus and the Christ of faith?

Why are Paul's letters important for understanding early Christianity?

How do scholars determine the dating of the New Testament books?

What is the significance of the Kingdom of God in Jesus' teaching?

Key Terminology

Likely Command Words

Ready to test yourself?

Related Topics in PEARSON A-Level Religious Studies

Philosophy of Religion

Religion and Ethics

Philosophy of Religion

Religion and Ethics