November 2, 2010
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).
| Magnificat | Hellenistic Jews | “Christian” | |||
| Benedictus | The Twelve | Samaritans | |||
| Kingdom of God | The Seven | God-fearers | |||
| Rich and Poor | Stephen | “Better” | |||
| Holy Spirit | Philip | Cultus | |||
| Lukan Travel Narrative | Jerusalem Conference | Defilement and Purgation | |||
| Parable | Circumcision | Pilgrimage | |||
| Mashal | Paul’s “Missionary Journeys” | Apostasy | |||
| Law of End-stress | Jerusalem | ||||
| “Palestinian” Jews | Antioch |
Points to Ponder
Below is a brief summary of the major topics we have discussed in class.
- How does Luke depict Jesus as a “universal Christ”? What barriers does Jesus cross in Luke, and what is the significance of this behavior?
- Discuss the kingdom of God as the central theme of Jesus’ message in Luke. What does this term mean and how does Jesus teach or enact his message about the kingdom?
- What does Luke’s Jesus have to say about the relationship between rich and poor in the church? In society? What are some foundational texts for understanding Luke’s emphasis on wealth and poverty?
- 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.
- Be able to list the key turning points in Acts: events, controversies, and the persons involved. To whom did Paul minister during his three “missionary journeys”? (And why is this an inaccurate description of Paul’s missionary work?)
- How does Luke describe the reception of the message of Jesus among the following groups: Hellenistic Jews? Samaritans? Gentiles?
- Why is the book of Hebrews considered “the riddle of the New Testament”? What is the thrust of Hebrews’ depiction of Jesus and his saving work? How might this depiction address the felt spiritual needs of the book’s first-century audience?
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:
- Compare the Gospel of Luke to the Gospel of either Matthew or Mark. Where are they similar in their depiction of Jesus? How do you account for the places where Luke is unique?
- Discuss Jesus’ use of parables in the Gospel of Luke. Give examples of how at least two of the parables in Luke advance the Gospel’s particular themes.
- Trace the role of the Holy Spirit in the book of Acts. What does Luke mean by this term? Where does the Holy Spirit appear in the narrative, and what does the Holy Spirit do?
- Discuss the various cultural, ethnic, and religious barriers Jesus’ followers confront in the book of Acts. What were some of the important turning points in the early expansion of the church? Who were the key figures in guiding the church through these turning points?
- Describe how the author of Hebrews uses the imagery of sacrifice and priesthood to argue for the superiority of Jesus. Why might a first-century author embrace this imagery?
