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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 was added to John 19:35?
(a) A witness who saw Jesus rise.
(b) A witness who saw blood and water come out of Jesus.
(c) A witness who saw Jesus turn water to wine.
(d) A witness who saw blood come out of Jesus.

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

3. What does Mack claim the author of the Acts of the Apostles set out to show?
(a) Disagreement among the apostles.
(b) Disagreement between Christianity and Judaism.
(c) Agreement among the apostles.
(d) Agreement between Christianity and Judaism.

4. When do scholars place the writing of the Gospel of John?
(a) Before Christ.
(b) In the third century.
(c) In the 90s.
(d) In the 1800s.

5. What is the only feature that all Christian religions have in common?
(a) Alms for the poor.
(b) Reliance on the Bible.
(c) Prayers to Mary.
(d) Prayers for the sick.

Short Answer Questions

1. In Revelations, who was found worthy enough to open the seven seals?

2. What does Mack call the Christian myth, in terms of its completion?

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

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

5. What did Justin argue to the Romans about Christianity?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. What were the common values contained in both the temple system of sacrifice and the family system of rituals that allowed the translation of one into the other?

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

6. What two strong desires drove Christianity?

7. What are the four types of miracle interpretation occurring in the Gospel of John?

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

9. Describe Matthew's depiction of Jesus.

10. 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?

(see the answer keys)

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