REL 101: Midterm for fall 2006
 

The midterm exam will take ca. 30 minutes.

1) 5 terms (25%; definitions and a list of terms will be provided)
2) 6 passage identifications (30%; identify the Bible book to which a passage belongs)
3) 3 short-answer Qs (45%; you may be given some options to choose)

For review
 

Materials covered from through 11 Oct:
 

Harris chs. 1–7

highlighted terms on R-drive

Questions you should be ready to answer:

1) Provide the historical-critical explanation of the process through which the books of the Torah (Pentateuch) were composed and brought together. In your answer show your understanding of the source hypothesis and the major characteristics of the various sources.

2) Compare the distinctive features of the two accounts of creation recorded in Gen 1.1–2.25, commenting on the sources they represent. Also discuss themes or convictions common to both.

3) What is the most significant event, or root experience, in the memory of the Israelites? Why? How does this experience influence the various economical, historical, literary, political, religious, theological developments or issues in the Hebrew Bible?

4) Discuss the developments from the tribal confederacy to the divided kingdom, describing the main stages of development, as well as identifying the main figures in the biblical narrative and the theological and historical issues or themes that we may discern within the developments.

5) What are the three models/theories proposed for understanding the settlement of the Israelites in Canaan? Describe each theory and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each view.

6) What books are included in the Deuteronomistic History? List as many characteristic features of this literature as you can.

7) Discuss the rise of monarchy in ancient Israel.

8) Describe and compare the two major theological traditions in ancient Israel. What are the features of each? How are they similar? How are they different? What sorts of problems arose as a result of the differences?

9) What is the nature and function of Hebrew prophecy?

10) In what ways does the theme of egalitarian ethos emerge in the Hebrew Bible?