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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 does Mack claim about the various groups that formed in the schools of Jesus?
(a) They were experimental.
(b) They were dangerous.
(c) They were sent by God.
(d) They were disciples of Jesus.

2. What do Paul's letters to the Romans represent?
(a) A defense against other missionaries.
(b) A complete statement of his religious ideas.
(c) A plea for the Romans to accept Christianity.
(d) An angry accusation of lewdness and persecution.

3. Why did Paul tone down his views of the freedom of Christians?
(a) He wanted to tie down Christians to make them more holy.
(b) He did not want a repeat of the out of control behaviors at Corinth.
(c) He was told by God to tame the behaviors of man.
(d) He was reverting back to his Jewish roots.

4. Why does Mack call the Christ cult the first Christians?
(a) They called themselves Christians.
(b) They were the first to create a hymn to Jesus.
(c) They were the first to use the word Christ to refer to Jesus.
(d) They were the first to mention the resurrection.

5. What does Mack suggest the taking up of residence in Jerusalem signifies for the group?
(a) A political agenda.
(b) A religious agenda.
(c) A disrespect for Jewish tradition.
(d) A loyalty to the Pharisee.

Short Answer Questions

1. What are sophists?

2. What did early people think their society was based on?

3. What is contained in the Gospel of Thomas?

4. When does Mack claim the books of the New Testament were written?

5. Where did Rome place its power in the second and first centuries?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. Explain the findings of Carsten Thiede, Mack's response, and what this argument shows.

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

6. What are the four features of the Christ myth Mack claims are a result of the involvement of God?

7. What did Paul mean by "freedom from the law", according to Mack?

8. What were some of the problems exporting the Athens model of society?

9. What three factors surfaced as questions to answer that would help the different culture's relate to one another, and why were they important?

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

(see the answer keys)

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