Bible 100 self tests:

Intertestamental History and Second Temple Judaism Self Test
Second Temple Judaism
1. What is the name of the new institution that the Jewish people living in diaspora create in which to pray? What does the word diaspora mean? Where do most Jews live after 536 B.C.E.?
2. What other purposes does this institution serve?
3. What do many Jews think will happen after they die? How does this solve the problem of theodicy?
4. Name the different sorts of roles that people think the Messiah will play. What does Messiah mean?
5. What purpose do the various voluntary associations (Sadducees, Pharisees, Essenes) serve in Second Temple Judaism?
6. Which passage from the Old Testament is the only dogmatic statement that defines Second Temple Judaism?
Intertestamental History
1. Name the three empires that control Judea from 536 B.C.E. until 70 C.E. in the order in which they rule.
2. Alexander and the Hellenistic empire offered culture. Fill in descriptions of the various categories of Hellenistic culture and identify which elements would be problematic for the Jews.
Literature:
Philosophy:
Politics:
Language:
Education:3. What is the name of the Jewish family who leads the revolt against Hellenistic rule in 164 B.C.E.?
4. What is the problem with Simon Maccabee claiming the title of high priest and king?5. The Romans appropriate much of Hellenistic culture, but they claim to offer something else on top of this civilization. I did not emphasize it in the lecture. Do you know what they claimed to offer?
6. Who do the Romans put on the throne in Judea as a client king?
7. We did not cover the differences between the Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes and Zealots. All of them would consider themselves Hasidim (pious). See if you can match the group with their description based upon what you have heard or read in the past.
Pharisees ∑ so zealous in their belief that sovereignty belongs to God alone that they are willing to take up arms against foreign rulers
∑ often led by men who are identified as the messiah or claim to be the messiah.
Sadducees ∑ so scrupulous in their observance of purity that they found it practical to go and live out by the Dead Sea.
∑ seem to be closely related to Pharisees and so in their literature they have the most bad things to say about the Pharisees
∑ looked forward more than any other group to the coming of a messiah
∑ considered themselves God’s righteous elect
∑ during the revolt 66-70 A.D. in which the temple is destroyed for a second time, they hide their writings in caves
∑ The Romans destroy the people, but the scrolls survive to be found in 1949.
Essenes ∑ popular with the people because they provide practical advice on how to fulfill the law
∑ consider themselves the most accurate interpreters of the law
∑ consider the same books of the Old Testament to be scripture as Christians
∑ try to keep purity in their table fellowship as though they were priests in the temple by washing hands and eating only tithed food.
∑ had special oral traditions not found in the Torah pertaining to Sabbath observance and what they considered miss use of sanctified property
∑ believed in angels and the resurrection of the dead
Zealots ∑ most powerful group, the temple runs according to its rulings
∑ most priests seem to belong to this group
∑ do not believe in angels or the resurrection of the dead
∑ consider only the first five books of the Bible to be scripture

Intertestamental History and Second Temple Judaism Self Test Answers
Second Temple Judaism
1. What is the name of the new institution that the Jewish people living in diaspora create in which to pray? What does the word diaspora mean? Where do most Jews live after 536 B.C.E.?
Synagogue. Diaspora – the Jews who live outside the Land. More Jews live in the diaspora after 536 than in the Land even to this day.
2. What other purposes does this institution serve?
The synagogue is a place to read and study scripture.
The synagogue also serves as a place for people to take legal disputes.
It becomes a court of sorts in the diaspora.
3. What do many Jews think will happen after they die? How does this solve the problem of theodicy?
The believe that at some point in the future God will resurrect everyone and that the righteous will get their just reward (eternal life under God’s reign) and the wicked will get their just deserts (a second death or torment in hell).
4. Name the different sorts of roles that people think the Messiah will play. What does Messiah mean?
Messiah = anointed one: king, warrior king, priest, prophet
5. What purpose do the various voluntary associations (Sadducees, Pharisees, Essenes) serve in Second Temple Judaism?
to help its members faithfully fulfill the Torah and covenantal obligations.
6. Which passage from the Old Testament is the only dogmatic statement that defines Second Temple Judaism?
Deut 6:4 “Hear O Israel, the Lord your God the Lord is One. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might.”
Please note: when Jesus is asked what is the most important commandment, this is the commandment he recites.
Intertestamental History
1. Name the three empires that control Judea from 536 B.C.E. until 70 C.E. in the order in which they rule.
Persia 536-322
Hellenistic or Greek 322-164
Roman 63 forward until 722 A.D./C.E. when the area is converted to Islam.2. Alexander and the Hellenistic empire offered culture. Fill in descriptions of the various categories of Hellenistic culture and identify which elements would be problematic for the Jews.
Literature: Homer, Tragedies, History Problem: affirm the truth of Greek pantheon
of Gods
Philosophy: Plato and Aristotle
Politics: Polis – citizenship – city council – self rule/democracy
Language: Greek
Education: study of literature, philosophy, politics and sports in the Gymnasium Problem: young men remove the signs of their circumcision in order to conform to t he Greek notions of manly beauty.
3. What is the name of the Jewish family who leads the revolt against Hellenistic rule in 164 B.C.E.? Maccabees or Hasmoneans
4. What is the problem with Simon Maccabee claiming the title of high priest and king?
He is not from the line of Aaron (one must be from this line to be high priest)
He is not from the line of David (he is a Levite not from Judah)
As Lord Acton (1887) said 'Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.'
5. The Romans appropriate much of Hellenistic culture, but they claim to offer something else on top of this civilization. I did not emphasize it in the lecture. Do you know what they claimed to offer?
They had two slogans: Pax Romana (Peace of Rome) and peace and security

6. Who do the Romans put on the throne in Judea as a client king? Herod the Great.
7. We did not cover the differences between the Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes and Zealots. All of them would consider themselves Hasidim (pious). See if you can match the group with their description based upon what you have heard or read in the past.
Zealots ∑ so zealous in their belief that sovereignty belongs to God alone that they are willing to take up arms against foreign rulers
∑ often led by men who are identified as the messiah or claim to be the messiah.
Essenes ∑ so scrupulous in their observance of purity that they found it practical to go and live out by the Dead Sea.
∑ seem to be closely related to Pharisees and so in their literature they have the most bad things to say about the Pharisees
∑ looked forward more than any other group to the coming of a messiah
∑ considered themselves God’s righteous elect
∑ during the revolt 66-70 A.D. in which the temple is destroyed for a second time, they hide their writings in caves
∑ The Romans destroy the people, but the scrolls survive to be found in 1949.
Pharisees ∑ popular with the people because they provide practical advice on how to fulfill the law
∑ consider themselves the most accurate interpreters of the law
∑ consider the same books of the Old Testament to be scripture as Christians
∑ try to keep purity in their table fellowship as though they were priests in the temple by washing hands and eating only tithed food.
∑ had special oral traditions not found in the Torah pertaining to Sabbath observance and what they considered miss use of sanctified property
∑ believed in angels and the resurrection of the dead
Sadducees ∑ most powerful group, the temple runs according to its rulings
∑ most priests seem to belong to this group
∑ do not believe in angels or the resurrection of the dead
∑ consider only the first five books of the Bible to be scripture
∑ considered by the people to be pigs
∑ considered by the people to be pigs

Self Test: Jesus and the Gospels
What does the word gospel mean? What is the Greek word for gospel?
In one sentence, what does Jesus proclaim in the Synoptic gospels?
Identify four key defining features of the Kingdom of Heaven and provide one story from the gospel that illustrates the nature of the feature.
In particular, which Old Testament Prophet’s vision of God’s reign does Jesus’ seem to be drawing from in his teachings?
According to Jesus, what is now the basis for claiming to be the children of God or his own family?
What is the nature of exceeding or excessive righteousness? Can you think of one story that illustrates this teaching?
Which of the following phrases characterizes God’s righteousness according to Jesus?
a. strict adherence to the demands of the law
b. generousness toward or forgiveness of others
Why is the parable of the mustard seed startling in its representation of the kingdom?
According to the parable of the sheep and the goats, how does one do service to the king?
Which part of Jesus’ story do scholars believe to have taken a “fixed” form earliest?
The birth stories
The stories of Jesus healings
The parables
The passion narrative
What is Q?
What is the Synoptic Problem and what is the most accepted solution to the Synoptic Problem?
To what does the phrase “Messianic Secret” refer?
Fill in the blank with the name of the appropriate gospel:
1. Considered by most to be the earliest written Gospel ____________________
2. Has a second part entitled Acts of the Apostles _________________
3. Is not a synoptic Gospel ___________________
4. Jesus speaks as the resurrected Lord prior to his crucifixion and resurrection ________________
5. In its earliest manuscript form, ends without a resurrection story _____________
6. Sets Jesus in the context of “World History.” ________________
7. Sets Jesus in the context of Israelite history __________________
cont.
Provide one story from the Gospel of Luke that illustrates how Jesus ministry is universal.
Provide one story from the Gospel of Matthew that illustrates how Jesus fits into the Israelite story.
From the Gospel of John, provide one example that illustrates how Jesus talks about his own identity rather than about the Kingdom of Heaven.
From the Biblical Story Handout and Lectures and Film: Name the following people
A precursor to Jesus whom people identify with Elijah and who calls people to repent and be baptized in preparation for God’s coming reign.
A client king set in place by the Romans who is paranoid that an heir to the Davidic throne might challenge his own reign. This king also improve the infrastructure of Judea by providing aquaducts and renouvating the temple, but also built many palaces for his own glorification.
A client king of Rome who rules over the Galilee and beheads John the Baptist.
A follower of Jesus who denies him but later becomes one of the most prominent leaders in the Church.
A follower of Jesus who betrays him.
A Roman official in charge of the governing of Judea who tries Jesus and condemns him to death.
A female follower of Jesus who is later called a prostitute but was not a prostitute.
By the way, how many of the disciples can you name?

Jesus answers:

Self Test: Jesus and the Gospels Answers
What does the word gospel mean? good news
What is the Greek word for gospel? euangelion
In one sentence, what does Jesus proclaim in the Synoptic gospels? The Kingdom of Heaven/ the Reign of Heaven is upon you/ breaking in/ within/ at hand.
Identify four key defining features of the Kingdom of Heaven and provide one story from the gospel that illustrates the nature of the feature.
Universal
God’s righteousness: exceeding and gracious
Abundant blessings
Upside down – reversal of values and expectations
In particular, which Old Testament Prophet’s vision of God’s reign does Jesus’ seem to be drawing from in his teachings? Isaiah 40-55
According to Jesus, what is now the basis for claiming to be the children of God or his own family?
Doing God’s will.
What is the nature of exceeding or excessive righteousness? Can you think of one story that illustrates this teaching? It is generous, forgiving, does not demand restitution or vengeance. It requires circumspection. It asks that you seek to understand God’s will and look for occasions to do God’s will rather than just being law abiding.
Which of the following phrases characterizes God’s righteousness according to Jesus?
a. strict adherence to the demands of the law
b. generousness toward or forgiveness of others
Why is the parable of the mustard seed startling in its representation of the kingdom?
People tend to compare God’s kingdom to valuable and desirable things like cedar trees, but the mustard plant is a noxious weed. The kingdom of heaven is coming even if you don’t want it and it turns the values of this world on their head.
According to the parable of the sheep and the goats, how does one do service to the king? On cares for those who are sick, hungry, naked, thirsty, in prison
Which part of Jesus’ story do scholars believe to have taken a “fixed” form earliest?
The birth stories
The stories of Jesus healings
The parables
The passion narrative
What is Q? a hypothetical source used by Matthew and Luke
What is the Synoptic Problem and what is the most accepted solution to the Synoptic Problem?
The synoptic problem tries to figure out the literary relationship of Matthew, Mark and Luke.
The most common solution goes like this: Mark composes proto-Mark
Matthew uses Mark, Q, and his own special source M
Luke uses Mark, Q, and his own special source L
Matthew and Luke do not know about each other.
Later on Mark is written using Matthew.
To what does the phrase “Messianic Secret” refer? In Mark, Jesus keeps telling people not to say anything about his miracles, he is evasive and he speaks in riddles. This pattern is called the Messianic Secret.
Jesus does not want people to identify him as the Messiah during his ministry.
Fill in the blank with the name of the appropriate gospel:
1. Considered by most to be the earliest written Gospel ____Mark_______________
2. Has a second part entitled Acts of the Apostles _____Luke__________
3. Is not a synoptic Gospel _______John______
4. Jesus speaks as the resurrected Lord prior to his crucifixion and resurrection ____John___________
5. In its earliest manuscript form, ends without a resurrection story _____Mark________
6. Sets Jesus in the context of “World History.” _____Luke_______
7. Sets Jesus in the context of Israelite history ______Matthew________
I leave the next three up to you:
Provide one story from the Gospel of Luke that illustrates how Jesus ministry is universal.
Provide one story from the Gospel of Matthew that illustrates how Jesus fits into the Israelite story.
From the Gospel of John, provide one example that illustrates how Jesus talks about his own identity rather than about the Kingdom of Heaven.
From the Biblical Story Handout and Lectures and Film: Name the following people
John the Baptist: A precursor to Jesus whom people identify with Elijah and who calls people to repent and be baptized in preparation for God’s coming reign.
Herod the Great: A client king set in place by the Romans who is paranoid that an heir to the Davidic throne might challenge his own reign. This king also improve the infrastructure of Judea by providing aquaducts and renouvating the temple, but also built many palaces for his own glorification.
Herod Antipas: A client king of Rome who rules over the Galilee and beheads John the Baptist.
Simon called Peter: A follower of Jesus who denies him but later becomes one of the most prominent leaders in the Church.
Judas Iscariot: A follower of Jesus who betrays him.
Pontius Pilate: A Roman official in charge of the governing of Judea who tries Jesus and condemns him to death.
Mary Magdalene: A female follower of Jesus who is later called a prostitute but was not a prostitute.
By the way, how many of the disciples can you name?
Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. There are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot,t he one who betrayed him.' Matt 10:1-4
Gospel of John: Nathanael: 1:43-51; Joseph of Arimathea, "who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews:" 19:38

Self-test Early Church, Acts and Paul
Why do the disciples remain in Jerusalem after Jesus’ resurrections and ascension?
Pentecost was the Jewish feast commemorating the day torah, or the law, was given to Moses. What was given to the church on the Pentecost after Jesus’ resurrection? What unusual signs accompanied this gift?
What Old Testament story is reversed by this event?
Why does Saul travel to Damascus and what happens to him on the way?
What were synagogues before the destruction of the temple?
Who begins to join the movement in Antioch?
What were the two rituals of the church?
What are the two issues that arise when Paul and Peter begin to baptized Gentiles?
Where does Paul travel to share the Gospel?
To what can the spirituality of paganism be compared?
Why is Paul’s message so intriguing in this setting?
How does the writing of the New Testament begin?
What are the two emphases of Paul’s preaching?
How, according to Paul, do you prepare for end times?
What is the role of the Torah in the old map of the world according to Paul?
What does Jesus’ death and resurrection accomplish according to Paul?
What do the followers of Jesus find in the Hebrew Scriptures to help explain why their leader has died the humiliating death of crucifixion?
What does the resurrection signify?
What are the two points to the resurrections stories?
What did the old map of the world look like according to Paul?
What does Paul’s new map look like?
What kinds of people join the church in Asia Minor and Greece?
What do people bring to the banquet?
Is Paul treated as an authority for what is right or wrong in the early church?
What is the earliest writing in the New Testament?
Who dies in between 64-66 C.E.?
What happens in 66 C.E.?
What happens in 70 C.E.?
After the destruction of the temple, what replaces the sacrificial communion meal and the prayer service of the temple?
How much can you say about each of the following? (Answer key indicates what I expect you to be able to say)
Alexander the Great Antiochus IV
Maccabees Herodians
Herod the Great Herod Antipas
John the Baptist Jesus
Simon Peter Judas Iscariot
Pontius Pilate Caiaphas
Stephen Saul/Paul
James (the Just/brother of the Lord)
godfearers
Augustus Pompei
Vespasian Titus
Nero

Answer Key

Self-test Early Church, Acts and Paul
Why do the disciples remain in Jerusalem after Jesus’ resurrections and ascension?
They are expecting the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecies that all the nations will come to God’s holy mountain, to the Temple in Jerusalem where they will acknowledge and worship God.
Pentecost was the Jewish feast commemorating the day torah, or the law, was given to Moses. What was given to the church on the Pentecost after Jesus’ resurrection? What unusual signs accompanied this gift?
The Church received the gift of the Holy Spirit. This was accompanied by a rush of wind, tones of fire appearing and resting on each of them and the capacity to speak and understand other language.
What Old Testament story is reversed by this event? The tower of Babel story (Gen 11) in which people are dispersed and begin to speak other languages.
Why does Saul travel to Damascus and what happens to him on the way? Saul does not believe that Jesus has been resurrected. He travels to Damascus under the authority of the priesthood to arrest anyone who proclaims that Jesus is the Messiah and bring them back to Jerusalem. On the way he has a vision of the resurrected Jesus and realizes that God’s plan for all humanity to be reconciled to him has begun.
What were synagogues before the destruction of the temple? Community centers.
Who begins to join the movement in Antioch? Gentiles (god-fearers) who are interested in the story of the Jewish god and think that there may be only one God.
What were the two rituals of the church? baptism and the commemoration of Jesus’ last supper with his disciples.
What are the two issues that arise when Paul and Peter begin to baptized Gentiles? Should Gentiles be circumcised before they are baptized and can Jewish Christians eat with uncircumcised Gentiles?
Where does Paul travel to share the Gospel? Throughout Asia Minor and Greece
To what can the spirituality of paganism be compared? Like a grocery store or a smorgasbord: you pick and choose from many gods and rituals.
Why is Paul’s message so intriguing in this setting? The idea that there is only one God is startling and that his son has been crucified and resurrected.
How does the writing of the New Testament begin? When Paul starts writing to the churches he has visited. 1 Thessalonians is the first letter.
What are the two emphases of Paul’s preaching? Jesus Crucified and Risen and the importance of understanding end time: Jesus’ return, God’s universal reign and judgment.
How, according to Paul, do you prepare for end times? Be good!! Follow the ethical teachings of Jesus and the church.
What is the role of the Torah in the old map of the world according to Paul? It is a paidegogos, a type of servant who keeps the young heir from getting into trouble when he is going to school or playing with friends. The law is then a way of keeping the Jews in line until their come into their inheritance, i.e. the Kingdom of Heaven.
What does Jesus’ death and resurrection accomplish according to Paul? Jesus’ obedience undoes the consequences of Adam’s disobedience. Adam’s disobedience has brought sin and death into the world. Jesus’ obedience leads to resurrection and death and sins dominion comes to an end.
What do the followers of Jesus find in the Hebrew Scriptures to help explain why their leader has died the humiliating death of crucifixion? They find the description of the suffering servant in 2 Isaiah. Suffering is a logical consequence of being God’s servant and preaching righteousness.
What does the resurrection signify? According to the film, it vindicates the claim that Jesus is king of the Jews. According to Paul, it is the end of death. Jesus’ resurrection is the first of the general resurrection.
What are the two points to the resurrections stories? Jesus’ does not appear as a ghost. Jesus was really dead and really came back to life.
What did the old map of the world look like according to Paul? The old world was in slavery to sin and suffered death and all sorts of ills as a consequence. The Jews lived as a sort of entrapped island of true worship protected but also limited in their freedom by the law.
What does Paul’s new map look like? In the new map everyone acknowledges God or is reconciled with God and thus free from Sin and its punishment, death. There is neither Jew nor Greek. Most of the ways that we divide people up into superior or inferior no longer matter
What kinds of people join the church in Asia Minor and Greece? People from all walks of life except for the elite aristocracy and the field slaves.
What do people bring to the banquet? Hymns, prophecies, meditations
Is Paul treated as an authority for what is right or wrong in the early church? No, he is usually the one who is saying new things about which the authorities in Jerusalem are resistant. It takes time for the church to accept what Paul teaches.
What is the earliest writing in the New Testament? 1 Thessalonians
Who dies in between 64-66 C.E.? Paul, Simon Peter, and James the brother of the Lord
What happens in 66 C.E.? A revolt breaks out in Judea against Rome.
What happens in 70 C.E.? Rome, under the General Titus and the Emperor Vespasian, destroys the Temple.
After the destruction of the temple, what replaces the sacrificial communion meal and the prayer service of the temple? The synagogue and the family dining table become the places where communion, liturgy and prayers take place.
How much can you say about each of the following? (Answer key indicates what I expect you to be able to say)
Alexander the Great (356-323 B.C.E.) - A Macedonian King who rules all of the Greek Peninsula, who in then conquered the Persian empire and took over Asia Minor, the Middle East, Mesopotamia and Egypt.
Antiochus IV ca. 170 B.C.E. the ruler of Syria (part of the Hellenistic Empire) who was zealous about imposing his culture on the Jews and made laws against Jewish religious practices. He appointed a high priest who sacrificed a pig on the Altar of the Temple in Jerusalem. This provoked a revolt.
Maccabees – the family of five sons who led the revolt against Antiochus, established independence for Judea, reconsecrated the Temple (Hanukah), and set themselves up as king and high priest. Their heirs became a dynasty known as Hasmoneans .
Herodians A family from Idumea appointed to be client kings to Rome
Herod the Great – the first herodian king who built a harbor and acquaducts and renovated the Temple but was generally hated because he was paranoid and killed many people and taxed the people heavily.
Herod Antipas – Herod the Great’s son who become king of the Galilee and is on the throne when Jesus is crucified. This Herod kills John the Baptist because John criticized him for marrying his own sister-in-law.
John the Baptist – a forerunner to Jesus who proclaimed that the Kingdom of heaven was coming and that people should repent in preparation. He then baptized them in preparation for the kingdom.
Jesus- proclaimed the kingdom of Heaven was at hand and among us, healed people and did miracles as a sign of this kingdom, was arrested and crucified by the Romans, was raised by God on the third day (and much, much more)
Simon Peter – a disciple of Jesus during his ministry who was a fisherman, who denies Jesus, who eventually accepts the Gentile mission and is crucified upside down in Rome around 64 C.E.
Judas Iscariot – a disciple of Jesus who hands him over to the temple authorities
Pontius Pilate – procurator, the representative of Roman power in Judea
Caiaphas – High Priest at the time of Jesus crucifixion.
Stephen – a Hellenistic Jew who follows Jesus after Pentecost and who proclaims that God doesn’t dwell in the temple and that we should worship Jesus. He is the first Christian martyr (one who dies for his faith)
Saul/Paul – a Pharisee who opposes the Jesus movement but then after seeing the resurrected Lord begins promoting the Gentile mission and argues that Gentiles need not be circumcised in order to be heirs to God’s promise to extend his blessing to the nations. Gentiles become Christians through baptism and confession that Jesus is the Christ.
James (the Just/brother of the Lord) – Jesus’ brother who becomes the leader of the church in Jerusalem after Jesus’ death and resurrection. James’ views differ from Paul’s. He represents opposition to inclusion of Gentiles without circumcision and opposes Jewish Christians’ violation of dietary laws in eating with Gentiles.
God fearers – Gentiles who come to believe in the Israelite God and attend the synagogues but do not get circumcised and therefore do not observe the law.
Pompei – Roman general in 63 B.C.E. that brokers the deal in which Judea becomes a client kingdom of Rome
Augustus – emperor at the time of Jesus’ birth
Vespasian – emperor when the Temple is destroyed in 70 C.E.
Titus – Roman general who destroys the temple in 70 C.E.
Nero – Roman emperor at the time of Paul, Peter and James’ death

Pretest 6
Place the following events in chronological order
1. Paul’s Ministry to the Gentiles
2. The creation of the Church in Jerusalem at Pentecost
3. The conquest of Judea by Alexander the Great
4. The ministry of John the Baptist
5. Christians cease to participate in synagogue worship
6. Official persecution of Christians under the Imperial Cult
7. The Maccabean rebellion
8. Jesus’ ascension
9. Destruction of the Second Temple
10 Construction of the Second Temple
11. Jesus’ Ministry
12. Judea becomes a client kingdom of the Roman Empire
13. Judea becomes part of a Roman province
14. Jesus’ birth
15. Rule of the Hasmoneans
16. The Rule of the Herod the Great
17. Judea under dominion of the Persian Empire
18. Paul, Peter and James’ execution
19. Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection
20. Martyrdom of Stephen
21. Composition of the first Gospel
22. The Second Jewish Revolt against Rome
23. Christianity becomes a recognized and legal religion in the Roman Empire
24. Christianity becomes the official religion of the Roman Empire
---______ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____
______ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____
______ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____
______ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____E. Match the name of the biblical book to the statement that best describes it or its contexts. Note some titles can be used more than once. (20 points)
1. A letter that tries to console a community whose members have died
2. before the second coming of Jesus ---------__________________
3. Considered to be a two volume work in which Acts is the concluding volume ______________
4. A letter written to a Christian slave owner requesting that he manumit
(i.e. give freedom to) his slave Onesimus who is also a Christian ________________
5. Contains a version of Jesus’ ministry in which witnesses to his own identity
more than he preaches about the kingdom of heaven ________________
6. A letter that contains the argument that faith without words is dead faith ________________
7. A long treatise in the form of a letter arguing that Jesus replaces
the institutions of the Old Covenant ____________________
8. The letter that contains the phrase “God is love” _______________
9. Written to give encouragement to a young man in a position of leadership __________________
10. A book that tells the story of the growth of the church in the Mediterranean world. ___________
11. Contains visions of true worship in heaven while people on earth
are suffering afflictions in the tribulations preceding Christ’s return ________________________
12. Contains a pattern in which Jesus silences witnesses to miracles
which scholars call “the messianic secret.” ________________
13. A letter arguing against circumcision by pointing out that the promise to
Abraham is not annulled by the Sinai covenant therefore Gentiles do not have to be circumcised into order to be baptized and
have fellowship with other Christians _________________
14. A letter written to a community in which unity is fractured by groups
lining up under different strong leaders _______________
15. Contains a pattern in which Jesus preaches five long sermons
each followed by stories of miracles and controversies ________________
16. A letter that focuses upon what it means to be obedient in faith rather
than to the Torah or the state _________________
17. A letter thought to be composed by a follower of Paul as
an introduction to the collected letters of Paul _________________
18. This letter is mainly a letter of thanks and encouragement to
live a life in imitation of Christ. __________________
19. The Gospel that is not a synoptic gospel _________________
20. A letter that contains a long ode about love ___________________
21. The first book of the New Testament to be written. _____________________
Matthew Mark Luke John Acts
Romans 1 Corinthians 2 Corinthians Galatians Ephesians
Philippians Colossians 1 & 2 Thessalonians 1 & 2 Timothy Titus
Philemon Hebrews James 1 % 2 Peter 1,2&3 John
Jude Revelation
Define the following terms: Recite the following passages:
Eschatology Deuteronomy 6:4-5 The Shema (Required)
Apocalyptic Philippians 2:6-11 The Christ Hymn (for Bonus Points)
Messiah
Torah
Covenant
Parable
Gospel/Euangelion

Pretest 6 Answer Key
Place the following events in chronological order
1. Paul’s Ministry to the Gentiles
2. The creation of the Church in Jerusalem at Pentecost
3. The conquest of Judea by Alexander the Great
4. The ministry of John the Baptist
5. Christians cease to participate in synagogue worship
6. Official persecution of Christians under the Imperial Cult
7. The Maccabean rebellion
8. Jesus’ bodily resurrection appearances
9. Destruction of the Second Temple
10 Construction of the Second Temple
11. Jesus Ministry
12. Judea becomes a client kingdom of the Roman Empire
13. Judea becomes part of a Roman province
14. Jesus’ birth
15. Rule of the Hasmoneans
16. The Rule of the Herod the Great
17. Judea under dominion of the Persian Empire
18. Paul, Peter and James’ execution
19. Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection
20. Martyrdom of Stephen
21. Composition of the first Gospel
22. The Second Jewish Revolt against Rome
23. Christianity becomes a recognized and legal religion in the Roman Empire
24. Christianity becomes the official religion of the Roman Empire
---__10____ ___17__ __3___ ___7__ __15___ ___12__
__16____ ___14__ ___13__ ___4__ __11___ ___19__
___8__ ____2__ __20___ ___1__ __18___ __21___
___9__ __5____ ___6__ ___22__ ___23__ __24___E. Match the name of the biblical book to the statement that best describes it or its contexts. Note some titles can be used more than once. (20 points)
1. A letter that tries to console a community whose members have died
2. before the second coming of Jesus ---------____1 Thessalonians_______
3. Considered to be a two volume work in which Acts is the concluding volume __Luke__________
4. A letter written to a Christian slave owner requesting that he manumit
(i.e. give freedom to) his slave Onesimus who is also a Christian ___Philemon_____________
5. Contains a version of Jesus’ ministry in which witnesses to his own identity
more than he preaches about the kingdom of heaven ______John__________
6. A letter that contains the argument that faith without words is dead faith ____James_________
7. A long treatise in the form of a letter arguing that Jesus replaces
the institutions of the Old Covenant _____Hebrews____
8. The letter that contains the phrase “God is love” _____1 John______
9. Written to give encouragement to a young man in a position of leadership _____1 Timothy___________
10. A book that tells the story of the growth of the church in the Mediterranean world. __Acts____
11. Contains visions of true worship in heaven while people on earth
are suffering afflictions in the tribulations preceding Christ’s return _____Revelation of John
12. Contains a pattern in which Jesus silences witnesses to miracles
which scholars call “the messianic secret.” _____Mark___________
13. A letter arguing against circumcision by pointing out that the promise to
Abraham is not annulled by the Sinai covenant therefore Gentiles do not have to be circumcised into order to be baptized and
have fellowship with other Christians ____Galatians________
14. A letter written to a community in which unity is fractured by groups
lining up under different strong leaders ____1 Corinthians____
15. Contains a pattern in which Jesus preaches five long sermons
each followed by stories of miracles and controversies ______Matthew_______
16. A letter that focuses upon what it means to be obedient in faith rather
than to the Torah or the state ____Romans____
17. A letter thought to be composed by a follower of Paul as
an introduction to the collected letters of Paul ____Ephesians
18. This letter is mainly a letter of thanks and encouragement to
live a life in imitation of Christ. ____Philippians____
19. The Gospel that is not a synoptic gospel _______John__________
20. A letter that contains a long ode about love ________1 Corinthians_______
21. The first book of the New Testament to be written. ______1 Thessalonians_______________
Remember there are other questions about the Gospels and Acts in earlier self-tests that may appear on the final exam.
Define the following terms:
Eschatology – ideas about end times when God establishes his kingdom and universal reign
Apocalyptic – revelations - usually used to refer to visions of hidden things like heaven or end times
Messiah – God’s anointed servant (Davidic King, priest, prophet)
Torah – The Old Testament Law – sometimes used to refer to the Old Testament itself or the Covenant at Sinai
Covenant – a relationship into which both parties enter willingly from which both parties benefit
Parable – an enigmatic form of story that Jesus uses usually to describe the kingdom of heaven
Gospel/Euangelion – the good news – usually used to refer to the good news that the king has come or that God’s reign has been established.The Shema: Hear, O Israel: The LORD is our God, the LORD alone, you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.
The Christ Hymn 2:5 Christ Jesus,
6 who, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God
as something to be exploited,
7 but emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form,
8 he humbled himself
and became obedient to the point of death--
even death on a cross.
9 Therefore God also highly exalted him
and gave him the name
that is above every name,
10 so that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue should confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.