Have you ever noticed that anybody going slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac? (George Carlin)

REL 107 final examination

1) terms (30%): identify 30 of 35 terms for which a brief description will be given (a list of all the terms will be provided)

2) passage identifications (20%): for 20 of 25 passages identify the NT book from which they are quoted

3) short-answer Qs (30%): more details the better; you may be given several options (of questions) from which to choose

4) 1 essay or 2 essays (20%): more details the better; you may be given several options (of essay questions) from which to choos

For review

midterm exam (NB the R-drive file with answers)

review the texts assigned in the Project / texts column on the syllabus

highlighted terms on the R-drive

Questions you should be ready to answer (more details the better, e.g., names, dates, places):

What does “apocalyptic” mean? What are the characteristics of the apocalyptic worldview (or literature)? What significance does the apocalyptic worldview have for understanding the New Testament?

What is Hellenism? What significance does Hellenism have for understanding the New Testament?

Describe the Synoptic Problem. Also explain the two main hypotheses that try to address it. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each theory? Also explain the four-source hypothesis, including its strengths & weaknesses.

What are the theological tendencies of Mark? Matthew? Luke? John? Show examples.

Show your understanding of the contrast between the Synoptics and John. Be as detailed as possible, using biblical examples to illustrate your points.

What is meant by “historical Jesus”? Compare with “Christ of faith.”

What does Paul mean by his teaching about freedom in Christ? In what ways was this teaching understood or misunderstood? Use biblical examples.

What are some reasons for doubting the authenticity of the “deutero-Pauline” letters?

In what ways do the pastorals and General Epistles show a development from the early stages of the church reflected in Paul’s authentic letters? Provide examples from the NT.

What are some notable themes in the General Epistles?

Describe how Matthew, James, and Paul see the relationship between faith and works (of the law). How does each author express his understanding of how faith is related to ethics (especially with regard to justification in Paul)? Provide textual examples.

Discuss the problems that arose in the earliest Christian communities as a result of the mission to the Gentiles, especially as they are portrayed in Acts, Romans, and Galatians. What were the controversies, decisions, and compromises? Be as detailed as possible, using biblical examples to illustrate your points.

What kind of literature is Revelation? What elements of that genre do you see in Revelation? What kind of worldview does it espouse, especially with respect to its historical context?

In what ways does an egalitarian ethos emerge in the New Testament? Be as detailed as possible, using biblical examples to illustrate your points.

Accoring to Gabler’s inaugural address, what is the “proper distinction” and relationship between biblical theology and dogmatic theology? What are true biblical theology and pure biblical theology? In what ways or concerning what issues may we apply Gabler’s methodology to the New Testament? Show your understanding of Gabler and New Testament issues by applying Gabler’s approach to specific examples from the New Testament.

What does Meyer mean by the issue of “faith and history”? How does he propose that we understand all the gospel claims about Jesus as the Christ? What does he mean by “synthetic judgment”? What does he mean by “analytic judgment”? What does he mean by “language game”? What is his proposal in contrast to the former 3 approaches?