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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 note is mythmaking on a cosmic scale, in terms of the Christ hymn in Philippians 2:6-11?
(a) The concept of Jesus as a religious leader.
(b) The reference to Jesus as lord.
(c) The reference to Jesus as a martyr.
(d) The reference to Jesus as son of God.

2. What is the name of the form of mythmaking Mack notes these early Jesus people were engaged in?
(a) Epic tradition.
(b) Epic revision.
(c) Epic mythmaking.
(d) Epic authorship.

3. What does Mack say the Christ cult laid the foundation for?
(a) The Church.
(b) A battle between the Christ cult and the Jesus movements.
(c) A distinctly Christian mentality.
(d) A Roman-Christian war.

4. What does Mack claim is the reason for the many portrayals of Jesus?
(a) Different people changed the true description for political gain.
(b) Different groups developed his image to support their movement.
(c) There is no difference in the portrayals of Jesus.
(d) Different groups saw him differently, based on his age.

5. What is the Jewish story of the persecuted sage also called?
(a) Story of the resurrection.
(b) Story of the wisdom's child.
(c) Story of the Cynics.
(d) Story of the Maccabee.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where does evidence for the Christ cult come from?

2. What was the Greek concept of civilization?

3. Why were issues such as homosexuality a source of cultural conflict?

4. How many layers of the Gospel Q exist?

5. Who were the super apostles at Corinth?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the two major aspects in which the Christ cult differed from the Jesus movements.

2. What were Paul's arguments against the concept that Christians had to follow Jewish law, if they were claiming to be Jewish?

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

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

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

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

7. What myths did the concept of the death and resurrection of Christ draw upon?

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

9. What is the catch-22 Mack finds when discussing the New Testament and the origins of the Christian Church?

10. Explain Mack's view of how the writings of the New Testament were chosen, and why these choices created centrist Christianity.

(see the answer keys)

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