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A Review/Study Guide for the New Testament. by Prof. Felix Just, S.J. Twenty-four Questions Seeking Brief Responses:. (Objective Part of the Final Exam). 1. What are the definitions & original meanings of: "Philosophy" & "Theology," "Religion" & "Faith," "Christianity" & "Church"?. 2.
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A Review/Study Guide for the New Testament by Prof. Felix Just, S.J.
Twenty-four Questions Seeking Brief Responses: (Objective Part of the Final Exam)
1. • What are the definitions & original meanings of:"Philosophy" & "Theology," "Religion" & "Faith," "Christianity" & "Church"?
2. • Define & distinguish: Bible, Testament, Apocrypha, scripture, canon, genre, Gospel, Acts, Epistle, Homily, Apocalypse, etc.
3. • Define & contrast:primary/secondary literature,manuscripts/print editions, papyrus/vellum,scroll/codex, exegesis/eisegesis, etc.
4. • What are the main differences (in language, date, divisions, order, number & titles of books) between the HB & the LXX?
5. • How & why is the Old Testament slightly different in Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant Bibles? • Is the NT different?
6. • When & by whom was the Hebrew Bible "canonized“? • What were the main criteria? • [Same questions also for the NT.]
7. • Name & describe the "seven pillars of ancient Judaism.“ • How are these related to the main "covenants" of the Hebrew Bible?
8. • How are some key OT characters (Adam, Abraham, Jacob, Moses, David, Elijah, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, etc.) used in the NT?
9. • What were the main groups or "sects" within ancient Judaism at the time of Jesus? • How were they different from each other?
10. • Name all 27 NT books in canonical order. • Name the 7 "undisputed" Pauline letters in their most likely chronological order.
11. • Name & briefly explain the 4 "criteria for canonicity" • and the 10 stages (esp. 1-4!) in the formation & transmission of the NT.
12. • Briefly explain the "four-fold role of the Evangelists" as authors. • What are the "attributed" vs. "implied" vs. "actual" authors?
13. • How & why are the canonical Gospels similar to "ancient biographies," • and how are these different from modern biographies?
14. • What are the "rules of thumb" and the "specific criteria" scholars use to determine the historical accuracy of Jesus traditions?
15. • What is the "Synoptic Problem"? • Diagram & explain the "Four-Source Theory" preferred by most scholars today as its solution.
16. • What is the "theological geography" or structural outline of the Acts of the Apostles? How is Acts related to Luke's Gospel?
17. • What is the overall "literary structure" (main sections & subsections) of Paul’s letters & most other early Christian epistles?
18. • What are the particular problems addressed and the main themes discussed in each of the NT letters & epistles?
19. • What is "pseudepigraphy"? • Why are the six deutero-Pauline letters considered "pseudepigraphic" by many scholars?
20. • Name the "Pastoral Letters" & the "Catholic Epistles." • What do "pastoral" & "catholic" mean? • By & to whom were they written?
21. • What is the literary genre of the so-called "Letter to the Hebrews"? • Why is it not really a "letter"? • Who is its (implied) author?
22. • What is the literary genre of the "Book of Revelation"? • What are the main characteristics of "apocalyptic" literature?
23. • What happened in the years 4 BC, and AD 30, 50, 70, 90? • Why & how are these dates & events important for NT studies?
24. • Why are there so many discrepancies in NT manuscripts? • How do textual critics determine the most likely original readings?
Twenty-four Questions Needing Essay Answers: Essay Part of the Final Exam
1. • What are the main characteristics of "apocalypticism"? • Why is early Christianity often considered an "apocalyptic" movement?
2. • What does each of the Gospels say about Christology and discipleship, and how are these teachings related to each other?
3. • What is the basic outline of each canonical Gospel? • What are the major literary features and thematic emphases of each?
4. • How is the Fourth Gospel (John) different from the Synoptics (Matt, Mark, Luke) in content, chronology, style, and theology?
5. • How is the community life of the early Christians portrayed in Acts 1-4? • How are the apostles portrayed throughout Acts?
6. • What are the five main phases of Saul/Paul's life? • Where was he (& when & why) during each of these phases?
7. • Who were Paul's main missionary associates? • How did he relate differently to his "full partners" vs. his "junior associates" vs. his "converts"?
8. • Describe some major differences between ancient & modern times in prisons/trials, slavery, travel, roads, mail, etc.
9. • What are the main differences between the eschatology (end-time teachings) of 1 Thess and that of 2 Thess?
10. • How did Paul feel towards the Christians at Philippi? • How did they help him? • What was the role of Epaphroditus?
11. • Describe Paul's complex interactions with the Christians in Corinth? • What main issues are addressed in 1 Cor & 2 Cor?
12. • What does Paul say about the "resurrection of Jesus" &the "resurrection of the body" in general in 1 Cor 15?
13. • Who are Philemon and Onesimus? • How are they related to Paul, and what does Paul want each of them to do?
14. • What does Paul tell his Gentile-Christian converts in Galatia about circumcision and other Jewish ritual laws, and why?
15. • How does the Olive Tree metaphor illustrate Paul's teaching in Romans 11 about the relationship between Jews & Gentiles?
16. • Compare & contrast what James & Paul say about "faith vs. works." • Why do their teachings apparently but not actually contradict each other?
17. • What is the main purpose of the "Household Codes" in Colossians & Ephesians? • Which groups are mentioned in them?
18. • How do 1 Timothy & Titus describe the leadership structure of local Christian communities? • How is it different from local church leadership structures today?
19. • Why & how does the Epistle to the Hebrews justify calling Jesus a "great high priest, according to the order of Melchizedek"?
20. • According to 1 Peter, how are Christians supposed to respond to persecutions? • What is the role of suffering for Christians?
21. • What does 2 Peter say about the second coming of Jesus, the end of the world, and the reason for the "delay of the parousia"?
22. • According to the letters of John & Jude, what were some major causes of division within or between early Christian churches?
23. • What was the purpose and the original audience of the Book of Revelation? • Describe its outline, content, and main symbolism.