Dr. Platypus

November 20, 2008

Terms

Be able to define or describe the following terms in a sentence or two and/or highlight two or three key points (such as might be included in a multiple-choice or matching-type question).

Points to Ponder

Be able to discuss the following issues in a brief essay.

1. Be able to identify the key themes of the various New Testament documents discussed in class. Pay special attention to key phrases/concerns and distinctive forms of expression. For example, in what letter would one read arguments against the need for circumcision? Where would one read descriptions of riders on multi-colored horses?
2. Describe some of the New Testament attempts to explain the death of Jesus. Specifically, what were the factors that made the death of Jesus difficult to explain and/or accept? What are some of the common word-pictures used in the New Testament to explain the significance of the death of Jesus.
3. Describe the significance of Hellenistic Jews in the early Jerusalem church. What made Hellenistic Jews different from Palestinian Jews? Name two prominent Hellenistic Jewish leaders and the role(s) they played in the expansion of Christianity.
4. Discuss the diversity of early Christianity with particular emphasis on the frictions that developed between Paul and James. What were some of the key emphases of Christian thought in the tradition of which James was a leading figure?
5. Discuss the teachings of 1 Peter with respect to Christian existence in an anti-Christian culture. What advice does this letter give to believers facing scorn, ridicule, and outright persecution for their faith?
6. What is “apocalypticism”? Describe the phenomenon of apocalyptic as both a religious mindset and a literary genre. Give specific examples of New Testament passages that give evidence of apocalyptic thinking and/or writing.
7. Describe the obstacles that threatened to prevent Christianity from spreading beyond the Jewish community. Why were some believers in Jesus hesitant to welcome the “uncircumcised” into their fellowship? How were these issues resolved in the New Testament?
8. Discuss the place of the book of Hebrews in early Christian thought. What issues does Hebrews address, and how does the book offer guidance for believers whose backgrounds were shaped by the religious currents and customs of the first century?
9. Describe the role of letter-writing in the ministry of Paul. How have scholars evaluated the letters of Paul in terms of their purpose and structure? What are some prevalent scholarly opinions with respect to the integrity and authenticity of the thirteen letters of the Pauline corpus?
10. Discuss Paul’s defense of the gospel in the letter to the Galatians. What were the major issues that provoked the writing of this letter? What did Paul’s opponents expect of the Galatians, and what did Paul propose in response?
11. How have recent scholars approached the question of Pauline theology? What have been the major options for understanding the central concerns of Paul’s thought? Specifically, what did Schweitzer, Bultmann, and Sanders contribute to the study of this topic?
12. Discuss the teachings about women and their place in the church as found in the Pauline corpus. What passages are likely to cause difficulty for those who believe in gender equality? Describe the range of interpretations of these key texts, indicating which options seem most convincing to you, and why.
13. Describe worship in the early church. In particular, discuss how 1 Corinthians 11-14 provides a window on early Christian worship. What problems with worship are evident in 1 Corinthians, and how did Paul seek to address them?

Format of the Exam

Part I. Thirty-five multiple-choice questions worth four points each, based on the key terms listed above and assigned Scripture readings (140 points).

Part II. One essay question (60 points). You will have a choice between two of the following questions:

1. Discuss the diversity of early Christianity with particular emphasis on the frictions that developed between Paul and James. What were some of the key emphases of Christian thought in the tradition of which James was a leading figure? Why might such a Christian community take offense at the preaching of Paul?
2. Describe the contribution of either James or 1 Peter to our understanding of early Christianity. What were the main issues confronting the church(es) addressed by this letter, and what guidance did the writer provide? Discuss in some detail what the writer said and how he may have been understood in historical context. How might this letter be relevant to people of faith today?
3. Discuss Paul’s defense of the gospel in the letter to the Galatians. What were the major issues that provoked the writing of this letter? What did Paul’s opponents expect of the Galatians, and what did Paul propose in response? How is the letter to the Galations relevant for Christian life in the twenty-first century?
4. Discuss the developments in the study of Pauline theology leading up to the “Sanders revolution.” Who were some of the principal figures, and what did they contribute to the study of Paul’s thought? In particular, describe the work of E. P. Sanders and his approach to Paul and Judaism.
5. Discuss the teachings about women and their place in the church as found in the Pauline corpus. What passages are likely to cause difficulty for those who believe in gender equality? Describe the range of interpretations of these key texts, indicating which options seem most convincing to you, and why.