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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. Why were the revisions of the scriptures not convincing before 70 C.E.?
(a) They could not match the logic that the epic was for Jesus.
(b) They could not match the logic that the epic was for the second-temple Jerusalem.
(c) They could not match the logic that the epic was for the Greek state.
(d) They could not match the logic that the epic was for the Roman empire.

2. What did the temple at Jerusalem serve as, in terms of a symbol?
(a) It was the symbol of peace.
(b) It was the symbol of Jewish presence.
(c) It was the symbol of God.
(d) It was the symbol of Jesus.

3. What term replaced "disciples"?
(a) Acolytes.
(b) Followers.
(c) Cultists.
(d) Apostles.

4. Why did the literature that the early bishops threw out survive?
(a) Jews preserved it.
(b) It was protected by the Romans.
(c) Christians continued to read it.
(d) It was protected by other bishops.

5. What is the common core of the Jewish scriptures?
(a) The Dead Sea Scrolls.
(b) Revelations.
(c) The New Testament.
(d) The five books of Moses.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is contained in 1 Clement?

2. Who was the leader of the empire who tried to have his images placed in the temple of Jerusalem?

3. What does Mack say about the letter of Jude?

4. What was the first act in Valentinus' cosmic drama?

5. When does Mack argue Mark's gospel was written?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What was Valentinus' story of the tragedy of the birth of the world?

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

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

5. What are the significant differences between the Pauline and Johannine traditions, as discussed by Mack in chapter 8?

6. What are the three themes that dominate the story of Jesus and his resurrection in the Gospel of Luke?

7. What two strong desires drove Christianity?

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

9. Describe Mack's observations about James as an author in the first three centuries.

10. Describe Matthew's depiction of Jesus.

(see the answer keys)

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