Introduction to the New Testament
Review for First Unit Examation
11 February 2008

1.	Be able to define these terms A.D. apocalypse apostle audience criticism B.C. B.C.E. Bible C.E. Canon Christ exegesis gospel inerrancy inspiration interpretation Jesus messiah pericope revelation scriptures synagogue synoptic textual criticism theocracy
2.	Be able to identify the following persons (and give dates for the emperors) Octavian Augustus Christian Imp. Claudius Flavius Domitian Gaius Caligula Herod Agrippa Herod Antipas Herod the Great R. Hillel Jesus of Nazareth John the Baptist Imp. Nero Pharisee movement Pontius Pilate R. Shammai Simon Peter Tiberias Caesar Flavius Titus Imp. Vespasian Zealot movement
3.	Be able to locate the following regions on a map Asia Minor the Decapolis Egypt the Galilee Greece Italy Judea Perea Samaria Syria
4.	Be able to locate the following cities on a map Alexandria Corinth Damascus Ephesus Jerusalem Rome
5.	Be able to put the following events in chronological order (On the exam, you will be allowed to give the dates if you wish, just as a "fail safe" in case you make a mistake in the relative chronology. The events in the list below are in the correct chronological order. Follow the links for dates and further information about each event.) The beginning of Roman rule in Palestine The accession of Octavian Augustus The birth of John the Baptist The birth of Jesus The accession of Tiberius The execution of John the Baptist The execution of Jesus The first persecution of Christians The Jewish revolt against the Romans The destruction of the Temple by Rome
6. POSSIBLE ESSAY QUESTIONS (You will be asked to write on one of them.)
Identify five key points at which the values of the Roman Empire diverge from the values taught and enacted by Jesus of Nazareth. Choose one of the other "philosophies" of first-century Judaism, and compare and contrast their stances on these values with those of Jesus and of Rome. What is the significance of these differences for understanding the life and message of Jesus in the context of first-century Roman Palestine? What is the object of historical-analytical approach to the Bible? Using a selected NT gospel passage or set of parallels (e.g., Mark 5:1-20; Luke 2//Matt 2), illustrate how the historical-analytical approach differs from a fundamentalistic-literalistic approach—in assumptions, strategies, and results. Be sure to define what the terms "literal" and "the word of God" mean in each case. Name and describe the four basic approaches to reading which shape how the Bible has meaning for the reader. What are the key issues of each approach? Which is the primary approach we will use in this class? Compare and contrast this approach with one of the other three methods, describing at least two costs and benefits of each. Finally, take a short passage from one of the gospels (e.g., Matt 15:21–28) and illustrate how the meaning for the reader changes from one approach to the other.
NB:	This unit exam will be open Bible but closed notes. Students who wish may have a crib sheet, but see the regulations for details.