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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What was Paul's first argument against the idea that Christians should practice Jewish law?

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

3. How many layers of the Gospel Q exist?

4. What does Paul ask Philemon to do with Onesimus?

5. What way did ethnic or cultural groups create small social units within the larger culture they found themselves in?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did Paul link Christianity to the Greek concept of self control?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9. Explain what was meant by Jesus in referring to his body as the bread, and his blood as the wine.

10. Describe the concept of the polis.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain and analyze the two forces that Mack claims drive Christianity. What are those two forces? How do those forces move Christianity along? What tensions are involved in these forces? when did these forces begin to have an effect on Christianity? Where else did Biblical influence become apparent? Why are these factors important when examining the construction of the Christian bible?

Essay Topic 2

Explain, in detail, the cosmic views that Mack claims are presented in the following texts. Be sure to include why Mack claims these texts reveal an image of Jesus as a cosmic lord, and the tools used to present Jesus in such a way.

• Gospel of John

• Letters to the Colossians and Ephesians

• Epistle to the Hebrews

• Revelation to John

Essay Topic 3

Describe why Mack believes his book can help view Christianity in a new way, and what he fantasizes about in terms of an honest discussion of the Bible, and Christianity as a whole. What does he think we should do, in terms of religion? Why does he think his book can help humanity begin to question Christianity as a source for social order? Do you agree? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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