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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What was the Greek concept of civilization?
(a) The temple-state.
(b) The Church.
(c) The city-state.
(d) The republic.

2. What was contained in the "Jefferson Bible"?
(a) Only the sections prior to the New Testament.
(b) Only the Books of the Prophets.
(c) Only the teachings of Jesus.
(d) Only the creation myths.

3. What is the myth of Jesus' death and resurrection rooted in, according to Mack?
(a) The concept of divinity.
(b) The ideas surrounding hero worship.
(c) The concept of martyrdom.
(d) The ideas of the kingdom of God.

4. What does Mack claim the Jews had done since the time of David and Solomon?
(a) Participated in social change.
(b) Lied about their origins to gain social standing.
(c) Revised their epic history.
(d) Recounted their original epic history to retain truth.

5. Why does Mack think putting aside conventional ideas of the origins of Christianity is difficult for some?
(a) Christians have an investment in the idea that the New Testament is true.
(b) Christians have an investment in the idea that the New Testament is a collection of myths.
(c) Christians have an investment in the idea that the Old Testament is true.
(d) Christians have an investment in the idea that the Church is infallible.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Mack claim the Bible was important by the end of the fourth century?

2. What did Paul's Jewish sensibility place high value on?

3. How many layers of the Gospel Q exist?

4. What is an epic according to Mack?

5. Why does Mack claim Columbus studied the Bible?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain why Mack believes Galilee was the perfect place for social experimentation.

2. Explain how Mack views the authors of the literature in the New Testament.

3. What were the three exegetical novelties Paul came up with that had a lasting effect on Christianity?

4. Why are Paul's letters to the Thessalonians important?

5. What are the four types of material within the letters to the Corinthians?

6. What is the fourth Jesus movement discussed in the book, and what is/are the primary components of the movement's teachings?

7. What is the first Jesus movement discussed in the book, and what is/are the primary components of the movement's teachings?

8. Why does Mack believe early Christians were excited about the concept of the kingdom of God?

9. Describe the concept of the polis.

10. What were the three ideas that groups gathered around that resulted in the Jesus movements?

(see the answer keys)

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