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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 two Gods from different cultures were seen to be the same?

2. What two systems helped define the temple-state?

3. Why does Mack call the Christ cult the first Christians?

4. What did the Christ hymn imply about the domain of Jesus?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What is the second 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. How did Paul link Christianity to the Greek concept of self control?

6. Explain how Mack views the authors of the literature in the New Testament.

7. What does Mack say about the Bible in early American history?

8. What is the catch-22 Mack finds when discussing the New Testament and the origins of the Christian Church?

9. Explain Paul's concept of the spiritual body.

10. What were Paul's arguments against the concept that Christians had to follow Jewish law, if they were claiming to be Jewish?

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

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 3

Discuss the Acts of the Apostles, in detail. What was the point of this document? Who is believed to be the author? When was it written? What stories are contained within the Acts, and what is their purpose to modern Christianity? What literary styles did the author use to create a cohesive history of gospel cohesiveness? What did the speeches within Acts attempt to convey, and were they successful? How did Acts relate to Judaism? Be sure to include information contained in the book in your answer.

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