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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. Where was John before he appeared publicly to Israel?

2. In which country was the gospel of Thomas found?

3. Who was the first emperor of the Roman empire?

4. What was the name of Celsus' book that attacked religion?

5. What is the title of the first chapter?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does the author think the gospels say that the governor executed Baptist because he criticized his sexual activities?

2. Why does the author think that people have interpreted Jesus as being as messianic and apocalyptic as John the Baptist?

3. What does the author claim is the primary focus of Josephus' writings?

4. What were the differences between the Baptists and Jesus' teachings?

5. What does the author say the book taught him?

6. In terms of upbringing why does the author say he questions the Jesus represented in the New Testament?

7. What did Jesus say to the author in an imaginary dialogue the author wrote as part of an article?

8. What does it mean that Jesus was an artisan?

9. Why does the author think Christians are uncomfortable with the idea that John the Baptist baptized Jesus?

10. What do the quotes at the beginning of the section comment on?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine the books reception in three different countries including the country the book was written. How do their opinions about the books differ? Was the book more influential in one country than another? If so, why?

Essay Topic 2

How did Josephus represent John the Baptist? In what way and why was Josephus's representation of John the Baptist restricted by the government at the time?

Essay Topic 3

How does the author claim the bible's depiction of Jesus' crucifixion is historically inaccurate? What does the author think are the reasons for these inaccuracies?

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