The span of Jewish history from 515 BCE to 70 CE is referred to as
the time of the Maccabees.
the Persian Period.
the Second Temple period.
the Roman period.
Which Seleucid (Greek) ruler initiated a reign of terror designed to exterminate the Jewish religion?
Antiochus Epiphanes
Herod the Great
Alexander the Great
Cyrus
Which person brought Palestine under Greek control, inaugurating the Hellenistic period?
Pompey
Which group led a successful Jewish rebellion to gain freedom from foreign rule?
Romans
Maccabees
Pharisees
Zealots
Which ruling family ruled an independent Jewish state until civil wars made them ripe for conquest by the Romans?
Ptolemies
Herodians
Seleucids
Hasmoneans
Which of the following is not characteristic of the Pharisees?
associated with the synagogues
practiced celibacy
accepted as authoritative “the tradition of the elders”
believed laypeople should follow the same purity regulations in their daily lives as the priests serving in the temple
Which of the following is not characteristic of the Sadducees?
controlled the temple system
dominated the Sanhedrin
radically anti-Roman
comprised primarily of priests
Which of the following is not characteristic of the Essenes?
associated with the Jerusalem temple
lived in separate communities
advocated an ascetic lifestyle
practiced ritual baths
What Jewish group was radically anti-Roman and advocated armed rebellion against Roman forces?
Essenes
Samaritans
Which of the following is not characteristic of the Samaritans?
claimed to represent the true Israel
had their own temple on Mount Gerizim
had their own version of the Pentateuch/Torah
supported the family and dynasty of Herod
Which Gentiles embraced Jewish theology, worship, and morality but did not fully convert to Judaism by being circumcised and following the Jewish dietary laws?
God-fearers
Which person, who was appointed by the Romans, ruled over Palestine from 37 BCE to 4 BCE and was known for his building projects as well as his paranoia of those wanting to usurp his throne?
Pontius Pilate
Herod Antipas
Which tetrarch, and son of Herod the Great, was appointed by the Romans and ruled the region of Galilee the entire time of Jesus' life and ministry?
Herod Agrippa
Which Roman governor ruled Judea from 26 to 36 CE and was responsible for the crucifixion of Jesus?
What term refers to Jews living outside the traditional homeland of Palestine who were influenced by Hellenism?
Diaspora
The Greek translation of the Jewish Bible is referred to as the
Mishnah.
Talmud.
tradition of the elders.
Septuagint.
What religious perspective combines a radical dualistic outlook (clear distinction between good and evil) with a deterministic view of history (the idea that everything is proceeding according to a divine plan)?
Gnosticism
apocalypticism
wisdom theology
animism
Which religious movement promoted secret knowledge that will allow the soul to be set free from the bodily prison in this material world?
Cynicism
Which philosophical school emphasized free will, questioned fate, and encouraged the attainment of true pleasure through the avoidance of anxiety and moderation in all things?
Stoicism
Epicureanism
Which philosophical school emphasized the attainment of virtue through acceptance of fate, based on the notion that all things are predetermined and that there is logic to all that transpires in the universe?
Which philosophical school emphasized radical authenticity, repudiation of shame, simplicity of lifestyle, and a desire to possess only what is obtained naturally and freely?
Which terms are used most often to describe the dynamics of the patron-client relationship: the patron's bestowal of benefits and the client's expected attitude of loyalty to the patron?
nature and law
grace and faith
virtue and piety
master and slave
What social value refers to the status that one has in the eyes of others whom one considers to be significant, including factors such as age, gender, nationality, and economic class?
wealth
patron
honor
piety
What term refers to a list of books that are officially accepted as scripture?
testament
canon
exegesis
apostolic
What two developments in early Christianity made the canon an issue for Christians?
(1) some Christians were excluding certain writings and (2) some Christians were producing new writings and attributing them to apostles
(1) the growing number of Gentile Christians and (2) the dwindling number of Jewish Christians
(1) the increasing number of educated Christians and (2) the decreasing number of illiterate Christian slaves
(1) Roman elites were burning Christian books and (2) some Christians were accepting the Torah as authoritative
Regarding the New Testament canon, most scholars would accept which two conclusions?
(1) the New Testament writings present a variety of viewpoints and (2) all New Testament writings are from the second century
(1) all New Testament writings are compatible with “apostolic Christianity” and (2) the New Testament writings present a variety of viewpoints
(1) all New Testament writings are compatible with “apostolic Christianity” and (2) all New Testament writings are from the second century
(1) all New Testament writings are from the second century and (2) the New Testament writings are from Jewish Christianity
Text criticism is a scholarly discipline that
analyzes New Testament texts in terms of plot, characterization, and irony.
explores the strategies of argumentation and authority in the New Testament texts.
explores the possible materials used in the composition of New Testament texts.
analyzes and compares New Testament manuscripts in order to reconstruct what the original manuscripts probably said.
Which of the following would not be a subject of study in sociological criticism?
military occupation of Roman Palestine
the phenomenon of the Pax Romana
variant readings of New Testament manuscripts
Diaspora migrations of Jewish people
Which of the following would not be a subject of study in narrative criticism?
development of plot
characterization
literary sources
use of symbolism
Which of the following terms is not associated with form criticism?
polyvalence
literary type
Sitz im Leben (“setting in life”)
oral sources/traditions
Redaction criticism tries to determine the particular intentions of New Testament authors by analyzing how they
selected and identified their sources.
imitated and disguised their sources.
deconstructed and “played” with their sources.
organized and edited their sources.
Which of the following is not associated with rhetorical criticism?
types of arguments
reader’s social location
citation of external documentation
reader’s emotions and sense of logic
What scholarly discipline is interested in the capacity of the New Testament texts to mean different things to different people ("polyvalence") and how New Testament texts have been read throughout history?
reader-response criticism
deconstruction
ideological criticism
rhetorical criticism
Which of the following is not an approach included in ideological criticism?
feminist criticism
postcolonial criticism
sociological criticism
womanist criticism
What term is associated with postmodern philosophy and seeks to demonstrate the subjective nature of all interpretation and so holds all interpretations equally valid?
hermeneutics
What term refers to the scholarly study of the Bible with an emphasis on the explication of texts using various academic approaches?
What term refers to the philosophical reflection on the process of interpretation?
What designation is used by scholars to denote the earthly, historical figure of Jesus?
the post-Easter Jesus
the Son of Man
the pre-Easter Jesus
the Son of God
What term describes the facet of Jesus' ministry in which he preaches on the road, taking his message to different groups as he and his disciples move from place to place?
itinerant
rural
Jewish
local
The most prominent topic addressed by Jesus in his preaching and teaching is
resurrection.
the law.
the kingdom of God.
the Pharisees.
Which of the following is not an implication of Jesus' preaching of the kingdom of God, that is, God's presence and power?
uncompromising allegiance to and trust in God
an insistence on strict purity, separating oneself from sinners
promise of forgiveness that leads to reconciliation and inclusion of sinners
a radical love ethic for God and neighbor that provides a synopsis of God’s own love, even love for enemies
Which of the following is not a regular part of Jesus' ministry?
telling parables
offering sacrifices
prophetic acts
exorcisms
Jesus' ministry brought him into conflict with the religious leaders of Israel in matters of
Sabbath regulations.
fasting.
ritual hand-washing.
all of the above
The Gospels present the death of Jesus as a result of
the unrepentant Jewish people manipulating a weak-willed Pontius Pilate.
the politically astute Pontius Pilate manipulating high-ranking Jewish leaders.
the collaboration of high-ranking Jewish leaders and an unjust Pontius Pilate.
the politically astute Pontius Pilate undermining the Jewish people.
Which of the following is not an aspect or quality of "historical Jesus" studies?
The exalted figure of Jesus in the New Testament helps “historical Jesus” scholars fill out their historical reconstructions.
The “historical Jesus” is not equated with the actual person of Jesus who lived in Galilee.
Miracles cannot be verified on the basis of what counts as historical evidence.
The Gospels are “religious propaganda” and so cannot be accepted as reporting objective, historical fact.
The literary genre that best describes the Gospels is
epic.
history.
ancient biography.
none; the Gospels represent a unique genre.
Which of the following is not characteristic of the Gospels?
The authors of the Gospels knew the stories of the Old Testament and were influenced by them.
The Gospels are compilations of smaller literary forms, including genealogies, miracle stories, parables, and pronouncement stories.
The Gospels employ a fictive style of narrative.
The authors of the Gospels were detached from their subject matter and attempted to offer objective and balanced perspectives of Jesus.
In the Gospels, possession by an evil spirit (demon) causes people to
become sinful or immoral.
experience some sort of physical distress or disability.
become incapable of salvation.
Which of the following is characteristic of parables?
compare spiritual things with mundane realities
sometimes function as riddles introducing an element of complication
usually intended to make one basic point
Which of the following is not true of miracles in the Gospels?
Miracles in John’s Gospel are called “signs.”
Miracles in the Synoptic Gospels are referred to as “power.”
The most common response to miracles in the New Testament is disbelief.
Miracles are sometimes intended to have a symbolic meaning.
Passion narratives are accounts of Jesus'
compassion for the crowds.
love for and teaching to his disciples.
arrest, trial, and crucifixion.
birth.
The Synoptic Gospels are
Matthew, Mark, and Luke.
Matthew, Mark, and John.
Mark, Luke, and John.
Matthew, Luke, and John.
Which of the following is not true of "Q"?
a source in the Two-Source Hypothesis
a source discovered among the Dead Sea Scrolls
a source that contains sayings of Jesus
a hypothetical source
Which Gospel do most scholars think was the first to be written?
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
In the second century, a prominent Christian named Tatian produced the Diatessaron, which was a
critique of the four Gospels, demonstrating their differences and inconsistencies.
lectionary of the four Gospels, providing Gospel readings for worship services.
commentary on the four Gospels, giving proper apostolic interpretations of Jesus’ life over against Gnostic interpretations.
synthesis of the four Gospels, creating one extended narrative of Jesus’ life.
From reading the Gospel of Matthew, what can be surmised about its author?
He is one of the original twelve disciples, writing in the decade after the time of Jesus.
He is a Roman historian, living in Carthage and considering becoming a Christian.
He is a Jewish Christian, perhaps even a converted rabbi or synagogue leader, writing a generation or more after the time of Jesus.
He is a Gentile Christian who was converted by Peter, writing from Rome after the death of Peter.
As an example of Matthew's affinity for structure and fondness of numbers, he cites twelve _______________ , perhaps playing on the number of tribes of Israel.
healings of blind people
parables of the kingdom of God
fulfillments of Old Testament prophecy
beatitudes
Geographically, Matthew's Gospel is often thought to have originated in the city of
Rome.
Jerusalem.
Ephesus.
Antioch.
Among the four Gospels, Matthew shows the greatest interest in the role of
Peter.
women.
Samaritans.
Gentiles.
Among the four Gospels, only Matthew presents Jesus as speaking about
the church.
the Holy Spirit.
Which of the following is not a distinctive of Matthew's Gospel when compared to the Gospel of Mark?
Matthew is interested in simplifying and organizing material, and often removes the more lively or colorful details found in Mark’s stories.
Matthew introduces changes to Mark’s Gospel in order to make his Gospel more appealing to his Jewish (or Jewish-Christian) readers.
Matthew alters Mark’s portrait of Jesus so that in his Gospel Jesus exhibits less human frailty.
Matthew intensifies Mark’s negative portrayal of the disciples by doubling those scenes that show the disciples misunderstanding Jesus’ teachings.
According to Matthew, in what way is God's abiding presence a reality on earth?
God is present in Jesus.
Jesus is present in the church.
The church is present in the world.
Matthew emphasizes the role of Jesus as teacher by presenting the teachings of Jesus in _________ large blocks of material.
three
five
seven
ten
For Matthew, the key to interpreting the Jewish scripture (Old Testament) lies in the recognition that
it was written by Moses.
it was passed down by the community of faith.
it is fulfilled in the life and teachings of Jesus.
The phrase "binding and loosing" in Matthew's Gospel most likely refers to Jesus' (and so the church's) authority to
interpret and apply the law.
forgive and retain sins.
command and expel demons.
determine who is qualified for leadership.
Which of the following are unique to Matthew's Gospel?
visit of the magi (wise men)
Peter trying to walk on water
Pilate washing his hands of responsibility for Jesus’ death
In Matthew's Gospel, Jesus regards the Jewish leaders as
well-intentioned but misguided.
evil persons closely identified with Satan.
pawns of the Roman government.
potential converts.
Which of the following is found in Mark's Gospel?
the birth of Jesus
the parable of the Good Samaritan
the empty tomb
resurrection appearances of Jesus
Which of the following is not a conclusion by scholars regarding the background of Mark's Gospel?
written in Palestine
written for Roman Christians
written around 70 CE
written anonymously
Which word occurs 42 times in Mark's Gospel—eleven times in the first chapter—and is characteristic of its narrative style?
certainly
carefully
joyfully
immediately
Mark's technique of sandwiching one story into the middle of another is called
parataxis.
hypotaxis.
homeoteleuton.
intercalation.
Mark ends his Gospel with
Jesus dying on the cross.
the women being afraid and telling no one the angel’s message.
the resurrected Jesus meeting the disciples in Galilee.
the resurrected Jesus commissioning his disciples to proclaim the Gospel to all nations.
According to Mark, Jesus speaks in parables so that
he can get people’s attention.
people will remember what he says.
only insiders will understand him.
people will be able to apply his teaching to their own lives.
Many scholars argue that the secrecy motif in Mark's Gospel functions to highlight this event in rightly understanding the identity and mission of Jesus.
the transfiguration
his baptism
Peter’s confession
the cross
Mark's Gospel is often said to be dominated by
the passion narrative.
liturgical material.
Jesus’ parables.
Jesus’ sermons.
Which of the following is not part of Mark's portrayal of the disciples?
The disciples do not understand Jesus’ parables.
The disciples do not grasp the significance of a suffering messiah.
The disciples faithfully proclaim the gospel.
The disciples betray, deny, and forsake Jesus.
Tradition has identified Luke, the author of the third Gospel, as a physician, but what other occupation has been associated with this Gospel writer?
carpenter (building contractor)
painter (artist)
fisherman
tentmaker
Luke's Gospel is addressed to a certain Theophilus, who is most likely
a Roman official intrigued by the Christian religion.
a code name for all Christians.
a wealthy patron responsible for commissioning Luke’s literary project.
none of the above
The author of the Gospel of Luke also wrote what other New Testament book?
Acts
Hebrews
Revelation
Which of the following can be surmised about the author of the Gospel of Luke?
He was a Jewish rabbi, adopting the storytelling style of rabbinic literature.
He was a converted pagan priest who incorporated cultic images in telling the story of Jesus.
He was only functionally literate, slavishly following and using his sources.
He was well educated, knowledgeable in both classical literature and the Jewish scriptures.
Which three words would Luke probably omit from Mark 10:14 ("When Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, 'Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs'")?
“he was indignant”
“come to me”
“do not stop”
“kingdom of God”
Luke's birth narrative is unique in its use of
parables.
Old Testament citations.
hymns.
angels.
What does Jesus do more often in Luke than in any other Gospel?
sleep
pray
baptize
become angry
What motif is prominent in Luke's Gospel and probably functions to establish connections between the stories in the Gospel and the Christian gatherings in Luke's own time?
baptism
secrecy
food/meals
Luke portrays Jesus as one who
fulfills expectations of Jewish scripture.
is similar to Hellenistic philosophers or benefactors.
has features in common with mythological heroes.
For Luke, the salvation that Jesus makes available is
connected with Jesus’ death on the cross.
a reality to be experienced here and now.
only completed at Jesus’ parousia.
Luke's Gospel shows special concern for
the poor.
tax collectors.
Which of the following is not a theme developed further in Acts?
centrality of the city of Jerusalem
work of the Holy Spirit
imminent expectation of the parousia
exemplary portrayal of the disciples
