Midterm (all quizzes) Flashcards
Please number these people from earliest (1) to latest (3). If their lives overlap, consider the time when they were most influential.
Paul
Jesus
John (the Evangelist)
Paul - 2
Jesus - 1
John (the Evangelist) - 3
What is the Greek-derived term for the genre of revelation literature, in both Judaism and Christianity?
a) doxology
b) apocrypha
c) apocalypse
d) evangelism
c) apocalypse
The “synoptic” gospels include…
a) Matthew
b) Luke
c) Mark
d) John
a) Matthew
b) Luke
c) Mark
The New Testament was originally composed in which language?
a) Aramaic
b) Hebrew
c) Latin
d) koine Greek?
d) koine Greek
The technical term for the theological framework based on the view that Jesus Christ has replaced the Mosaic covenant is:
a) supersession
b) patristics
c) heresy
d) pentateuch
a) supersession
What Latin word for “letter” is traditionally used for the letters of St. Paul?
a) litterae
b) epistula
c) missio
d) miscellanea
b) epistula
“Christ” comes from the Greek word meaning…
a) reigning as king
b) serving God
c) anointed
d) lamb
c) anointed
“Gospel” means, essentially:
a) holy book
b) important letter
c) biography
d) good news
d) good news
What, according to Paul or others, are two of the chief problems facing Christianity within a Jewish context? Briefly explain.
1) NOT obvious that this will extend beyond Jews/Judaea
2) can non-Jews be Christians? do you need to become a Jew first?
3) do we need circumcision before becoming a Christian, etc.
4) inability to participate in later apocalyptic/messianic movements
Briefly summarize our earliest (i.e. 1-st and early 2nd century) non-Christian sources on Christianity, naming at least two non-Christian writers
Non-Christian writers on Christianity are Tacitus, Suetonius, Josephus. Non-Christian sources are used to study and establish the historicity of Jesus, which include Jewish sources such as Josephus, and Roman sources such as Tacitus. Josephus writes on Jewish sources with references to Jesus and the origins of Christianity. Among his works (in Greek) are: Jewish War, Jewish Antiquities, Life of Josephus. Tacitus referred to Christ, his execution by Pontius Pilate and the existence of early Christians in Rome in his final work, Annals.
Please match these writers with their important work:
1) Paul, 2) Justin Martyr, 3) Irenaeus of Lyon, 4) Luke
a) First Apology, b) Against Heresies, c) Epistle to the Romans, d) Acts of the Apostles
1) Paul - c) Epistle to the Romans
2) Justin Martyr - a) First Apology
3) Irenaeus of Lyon - b) Against Heresies
4) Luke - d) Acts of the Apostles
What is the Greek-derived term for a person who rejects a faith once accepted?
a) heretic
b) autodidact
c) apostate
d) evangelist
c) apostate
Which two terms specifically refer to underground burials (of varying elaboration)?
a) tumulus
b) catacombs
c) hypogeum
d) necropolis
b) catacombs
c) hypogeum
The term “extramural” refers to the common ancient practice, carried on for a while by Chirstians, of placing burials:
a) outside the city walls
b) near the house
c) within a sanctuary temenos
d) on a hill
a) outside the city walls
Which remarkable ancient lady is traditionally credited with finding the Holy Sepulchre, and could thus be considered the “mother” of NT archaeology?
a) Thecla
b) Helena, the mother of Constantine
c) Theodora, wife of Justinian
d) Poppaea Sabina, wife of Nero
b) Helena, the mother of Constantine
Which types of decoration were most common in Christian burials (choose all that apply)
a) gold glass
b) mable statuary
c) cypress tress
d) frescoes
a) gold glass, d) frescoes
What Latin word meaning “dovecote” also refers to a place for the storage of cremation urns?
a) hypogeum
b) catacombs
c) columbarium
d) mausoleum
c) columbarium
What is an important difference of Christian from pagan burial and why?
The main difference is that most pagan burials involve cremation by burning the dead body to ashes toward which Christians were very suspicious. While Christian burial was as usual and extramural (Normative Roman Burial), which means people were buried outside the city walls. They were also offered collegia - burial payment for the poor, who can’t afford a great stone.
What are some of the possible differences of the Christian family from its pagan counterparts, according to any part of the New Testament? Explain
the pagan idea of family is much more open and modern of the medieval idea of family that is spread in Christian societies.
Family in Paul: Colossians 3:18 – 4:1: 18Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.19Husbands, loveyourwives, and be not bitter against them.20Children, obeyyourparents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.21Fathers, provoke not your childrento anger,lest they be discouraged.22Servants, obey in all thingsyourmasters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:23and whatsoever ye do, doitheartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
1 Timothy 5:1: Rebuke not an elder, but intreathimas a father;andthe younger men as brethren;2the elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.
ASK
How does the genre of Christian apologetics develop, and how is it different (if it is) from its pagan antecedents. Give examples.
Christian apologetics is the condemnation of idolatry and exhortation to the faith, which defends Christianity. Homily is the documentation of liturgical practice, which draws on rhetorical training and liturgy. Christian apologetics have taken many forms over the centuries, starting with Paul the Apostle in the early church and Patristic writers such as Origen, Augustine of Hippo, Justin Martyr and Tertullian, then continuing with writers such as Thomas Aquinas.
What are some key types of Christian poetry, and who writes them? Give examples.
Kinds of ancient poetry: epic (very long, follows heroes and gods), lyric (shorter, often for ritual contents), hymns (in pagan antiquity can fall into either of the epic or lyric category, but tend to be more like lyrics).
Avitus - bishop of Vienna (De spiritualis historiae gestis: hexameter poem on biblical themes), Prudentius (“the Battle for the Soul”, “the Origin of Sin”, etc), Paulinus of Nola (hymns celebrate St. Felix of Nola), Juvencus (his biblical epic —> Evangeliorum Libri Quattor, mostly based on Matthew) - all writers of Christian poetry. Greek poetry is about deeds of gods and heroes: Iliad, Odyssey, and other cyclic poems.
Considering the New Testament, choose one pre-existing genre that it develops. Which part of the NT does this, and how creatively? Be specific.
New Testament genres: Gospels (biography, wisdom literature, history), Acts (straight up history), Epistles (letters, morals, philosophy), Revelation (apocalypse).
Please put the instigators of some form of persecution in chronological order, from earliest (1) to latest (4)
Pliny, Decius, Diocletian, Nero
Pliny - 2
Decius - 3
Diocletian - 4
Nero - 1
The word martyr comes from the Greek word meaning:
a) hero
b) witness
c) soldier
d) priest
b) witness
