The Revolution of the Possible: The New Testament

1. Introduction: A "New" Alliance

The term "Testament" means Covenant (from the Latin testamentum , translation of the Greek diathēkē ).

• The passage: It is no longer based only on the Law written on stone, but on a person: Jesus of Nazareth .
• The composition: 27 books written in Greek (the "social" language of the time).
  • The 4 Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke (Synoptics) and John.
  • Acts of the Apostles: The birth of the first community.
  • Letters (Paul and others): Practical reflections on how to live the message.
  • Revelation: The Book of Final Hope.

2. The Heart: The Gospels (Four Views of One Face)

The Gospels are not modern biographies, but "announcements of joy." Each evangelist writes for a different audience:

• Matthew: For the Jews (Jesus is the new Moses).
• Mark: The oldest and shortest (Jesus is the suffering Son of God).
• Luke: For the pagans/Greeks (Jesus is mercy and attention to the poor).
• John: The most philosophical (Jesus is the Logos , the Word made flesh).

3. Two Key Stories: Beyond the Letter

A. The Prodigal Son (or the Merciful Father) - Luke 15

A son asks for his inheritance (as if his father were dead), squanders it, and returns home hungry. His father doesn't scold him, but runs to him and celebrates. Meaning: God is not a judge who awaits mistakes, but a father who respects freedom (even the freedom to make mistakes) and always awaits return. Love is greater than merit.

B. The Washing of the Feet - John 13

During the Last Supper, Jesus performs the act proper to slaves: he washes his disciples' feet. Meaning: A reversal of power. In the New Testament, he who commands is he who serves. God places himself "under" man to raise him up.

4. The Folly of the Cross and the Resurrection

The New Testament does not end with a moral, but with an event: