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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 do the sermons in the Acts attempt to do?

2. Who is the star from Chapter 13 to the end of the Acts of the Apostles?

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

4. What was the shift in mythmaking, according to Mack, that occurred at the turn of the second century?

5. What collection of early Christian texts does the Didache now belong to?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. What two strong desires drove Christianity?

5. Explain Mack's discussion of when the Epistles of Peter and Jude were written. What references does he use to attempt to date the pieces?

6. Describe Matthew's depiction of Jesus.

7. 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?

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

9. What are the standard writing conventions used in the Acts of the Apostles?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

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

Explain how the conversion of Constantine led to the development of the Christian Bible. Who was Constantine? Why did his position in the Roman empire matter? What did he set out to do? What three events does Mack credit to the creation of the Christian Bible? What does he say about Augustus' role in Josephs list? What does he say about the Letter of Athenasius? How did the list of Eusebius play a role?

(see the answer keys)

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