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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 is the term for "a small group of writings believes to have been written by bishops and others" who knew the apostles?

2. Who does Mack claim most of the sermons in the Acts of the Apostles are written for?

3. When does Mack argue Mark's gospel was written?

4. What does Mark's gospel do to the disciples that the story of Q did not?

5. What does Mack say about the letter of Jude?

Short Essay Questions

1. What two values are integrated in the Letters of Ignatius, and what is the result?

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

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

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

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

6. 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?

7. What did the Jewish scripture available to early Christians consist of?

8. 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?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast the response of the Jews to the destruction of the second-temple establishment in Jerusalem to that of the Christians. How did each side react, and why? What similarities are there, and what differences? What accounts for any similar responses? What accounts for their differences? Why did each side respond as they did?

Essay Topic 2

List and discuss the three layers of the Gospel of Q. be sure to describe each in detail, and explain both what they describe, as well as their historical impact. Why was each written? What does each discuss? What are the seven blocks of Q1? Why are they called the Gospel of Q? How do the Q Gospels compare to the statements of the Cynics? What was added with Q3?

Essay Topic 3

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

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