1/27 Class

Question 1

What can the “world behind the text” tell us about the text’s meaning?

Answer 1

e.g., archaeology, geography, cultural norms

Question 2

What biases do we bring to the text that may not have been shared by ancient authors/audiences?

Answer 2

e.g., our views about the nature of history or authorship, our attribution of moral force to specific cultural values, our understanding of how the world works

Question 3

Good Readers=

Answer 3

Curious Readers

Question 4

When we read the Christian Scriptures…

Answer 4

we join an ancient tradition of very real people recording their experiences and understandings of God.

Question 5

Questions of origin…

Answer 5

do not exhaust the meaning created by the text, but they can challenge our assumptions and lead us to new understandings about God, humanity, and the world.

Question 6

BCE means…

Answer 6

(before the common era)

Question 7

BC means…

Answer 7

(before Christ)

Question 8

CE (common era) =

Answer 8

AD (anno domini)

Question 9

20th century =

Answer 9

1900s (BC/BCE or AD/CE)

Question 10

9th century =

Answer 10

800s, 8th century = 700s, 7th century = 600s, etc.

Question 11

Late Bronze Age (1500-1200 BCE)

Answer 11

Major power: Egypt
Event: Exodus, Wilderness Wandering
First reference to Israel is in the Merneptah Stele (1208 CE)

Question 12

When was the Merneptah Stele created?

Answer 12

(1208 BCE)

“Israel”

“I have destroyed Israel. His seed is no more.”

Question 13

Iron Age (1200-550 BCE)

Answer 13

Major Powers: Assyria and Babylon

Events: Israelite Monarchy, Fall of Israel (722 BCE), Fall of Judah (586 BCE)

Question 14

Persian Period (550-332 BCE)

Answer 14

Major Power: Persia

Events: Return from Exile, Rebuilding the temple

Question 15

Hellenistic Period (332-37 BCE)

Answer 15

Major Power: Greece

Event: Hasmonean Revolt

Question 16

Early Roman Period (37-135 CE)

Answer 16

Major Power: Rome

Events: Life and Death of Jesus, Early Church