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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 happened at Corinth that made Paul nervous?

2. What does Mack note causes some of the differences between the stories of the New Testament?

3. What became the sign of belonging to the new fellowship that became the Christ cult?

4. Why does Mack think putting aside conventional ideas of the origins of Christianity is difficult for some?

5. What does Mack claim is the purpose of the Miracle Stories of Mark?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. Explain why Mack believes Galilee was the perfect place for social experimentation.

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

6. Why are Paul's letters to the Thessalonians important?

7. What are the three features of the text that indicate the Christ myth is based on the martyr myths?

8. Describe the concept of the polis.

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

10. What are the four types of material within the letters to the Corinthians?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

List and discuss the four "proofs" from scripture that support the idea that the history of Israel can be read as the story of the Christian God. What are the four points? What do they mean? How do they tie together to create the idea of a scripture that supports the Christian God, rather than a Jewish God? Be sure to mention concepts such as the spirit of prophesy, the logos, and the idea that the history of Israel did not end with the Jews.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Mack's three arguments about why the Bible has survived unquestioned throughout history. Why does he say this has happened? Be sure to discuss Mack's views of the Bible as an oracle, the Bible as the ritual text of Christianity, and the Bible's function as an epic for the American dream. What are each of these, and why do they help to position the Bible in a high, unquestionable place of power?

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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