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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 did Justin argue to the Romans about Christianity?

2. What does the gospel of Matthew argue Jesus' teachings were based on?

3. What was Valentinus' claim about what Christ made possible, in terms of knowledge of God?

4. Where did Justin claim the Greek philosophers received their wisdom?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the situation in the empire since the reign of Caligula, in terms of the political mood of the Jews.

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

3. What are the three concerns underlying the treatise to the Hebrews?

4. 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?

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

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

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

8. How does the Gospel of John differ from that of Mark?

9. 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?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Mack's interpretation of Paul's argument to the Thessalonians in terms of the question of those who had already perished. What was the original intent of the question, according to Mack? How did Paul respond? What were his arguments? How did he alter the message of the Christ myth to fit his argument? Why was the question of a concern for the dead a common issue in the Easter Mediterranean? Why does Mack argue that Paul's response to the question indicates the question was really about belonging? How did Paul's answers lead to an idea of eternal life?

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 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?

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