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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 argue the Gospel of Matthew is a document for?
(a) The Christ cult.
(b) Christianity.
(c) Judaism.
(d) Jewish Christianity.

2. How does John portray Jesus, according to Mack?
(a) As the spirit of God.
(b) As a teacher.
(c) As a powerful ruler.
(d) As a cosmic Lord.

3. What two sources does Mack claim Matthew used for his gospel?
(a) The book of Q and the gospel of the Christ cult.
(b) The gospel of Mark and the gospel of Luke.
(c) The book of Q and the gospel of Luke.
(d) The book of Q and the gospel of Mark.

4. Where did Justin claim the Greek philosophers received their wisdom?
(a) From Moses.
(b) From the people.
(c) From Abraham.
(d) From the Greek gods.

5. What was Valentinus' claim about what Christ made possible, in terms of knowledge of God?
(a) That Christ made it possible to know about God.
(b) That Christ made it possible to know God through scripture.
(c) That Christ made it possible to know God through apostles.
(d) That Christ made it possible to know God by acquaintance.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is different about Peter in comparison to Jude?

2. What does Mack believe the authors intended to convey by having Peter and James defend Paul's ideas about Jewish law?

3. What does Mack argue is the point of Paul's letters to Timothy and Titus?

4. Why does Mack argue Jesus' death is qualitatively different from all other deaths of the prophets?

5. What list became the Christian Bible?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are the major points of the sermons contained in the Acts, according to Mack?

2. What two values are integrated in the Letters of Ignatius, and what is the result?

3. How does the Gospel of John differ from that of Mark?

4. Describe the situation in the empire since the reign of Caligula, in terms of the political mood of the Jews.

5. Explain the observations Mack claims are important about Mark's use of the pronouncement stories.

6. What does Mack say about the "overwhelming concern" in the Didache about the practice of alms, gift giving, and supporting those who ask for hand outs?

7. What evidence does Mack put forth that the attempts to move into mainstream Christianity worked?

8. What is Mack's argument about why John wrote Revelations?

9. Explain the conversion of Constantine, and why it was pivotal in the creation of the Bible.

10. What were the two key arguments that the centrists tried to use against the non-centrist positions of Valentinus and Marcion?

(see the answer keys)

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