Lesson 2

Question 1

The New Testament world represented the confluence of what four (4) distinct cultural influences?

Answer 1

a) Greek
b) Roman
c) Jewish
d) Christian

Question 2

How did the Apostle Paul embody all four of these worlds?

Answer 2

a) He was raised in a Greek environment in the Diaspora
b) He grew up as a Pharisee
c) He was a Roman citizen
d) He was a Christian who embraced the Jewish Messiah

Question 3

What did Alexander the Great spread across the then known world?

Answer 3

Greek literature, philosophy, culture and language.

Question 4

The New Testament world was ruled by what?

Answer 4

Roman might, bureaucracy, and military power.

Question 5

What was the first century Jewish nation anticipating?

Answer 5

A Messianic figure who would deliver them from the oppressive power and ruler ship of Rome.

Question 6

List two (2) cultural systems which help explain how the NT world worked:

Answer 6

a) The honour-shame culture

b) The patronage system

Question 7

Since the Gospels are ancient “biographies”, what do they focus on?

Answer 7

Narrating the life of a significant figure as a type to be admired, emulated, or rejected.

Question 8

What is the “Synoptic problem”?

Answer 8

The quest to understand how the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke interrelate.

Question 9

Who were the following historical characters?

a) Josephus:

Answer 9

a) A Jewish general and historian who worked for the Romans.

Question 10

b) Papias:

Answer 10

A first century Christian

Question 11

c) Eusebius:

Answer 11

A fourth century church historian