Final Examination ReviewBiblical Heritage II (Vanderhooft)

The Final Exam will be held on Thursday, May 12 at 9:00 am in our classroom.
The exam will consist of three parts:
I.
Short answer (multiple choice, fill in blanks, identify quotes, etc.) (about 20%).
These questions will be like those you saw on quizzes.
II.
Identifications. You will be asked to identify AND discuss the significance of a
number of items from the list below in about a paragraph or two for each. If you simply
identify an item, that is not sufficient. Thus, saying that Antiochus IV Epiphanes was a
Seleucid ruler who controlled Palestine from 175-164 B.C.E. would only be identifying
him. Why is he important for our study of the Bible? Answering this question would be to
discuss his significance. In addition to the New Testament and all assigned readings in
Ehrman, it will be useful to consult the glossary and index in Ehrman, The New
Testament: A Historical Introduction (about 35%).
Part II will be based on the following list of terms, which you should know:
Pistis
Greek word for faith. Faith is always a gift from God and never something that can be
produced by people. Pistis is important for Paul since it is through faith that one becomes
justified. This justification transcends that given by the Torah laws.
Galilee
Region/Sea in the northern part of Israel, also referred to as Galilee of the Gentiles and
includes the towns Nazareth and Cana. Galilee is where Jesus spent his last 30 years and
where most, if not all of his teachings occurred. Jesus Sermon on the Mount occurred in
Galilee. Jesus preached along the shores of the Sea of Galilee and performed many
miracles here, such as calming the stormy sea, walking on water, and the feeding of 5000
Melchizedek
Combination of the Hebrew words Melchi (my king) and Zedek (righteousness) and
could mean My King of Righteousness. Melchizedek is mentioned twie in the Bible.
First in Genesis 14 and again in Psalm 110. Jesus is a priest in the line of Melchizedek
which differs from a priest in the line of Aaron. In Genesis Abraham pays tithes to
Melchizedek from his spoils of battle. Later Christians, such as the author of Hebrews
considered Melchizedek prefiguration of Christ, hence why he was worshipped by the
father of the Jews (Abraham). The letter of Hebrews associates Jesus as a Priest in the
order of Melchizedek in order to fulfill the prophecy in Daniel 7 a king in the line of
David as well as a priest.
agape (Greek word)

The Highest form of love. (The love of God for man and of man for God). Without Gods
love we are nothing
Gnosticism
A group of ancient religions some related to early Christianity maintained the element
that the divine was contained trapped in a world of matter could only be released when
given gnosis/knowledge. Gnosis was generally thought to be brought on by an emissary
of the divine realm. According to Gnosticism, humans are spirits trapped in a material
world. And that the material world is an illusion. They believe that the purpose of life is
to learn how to free oneself from material things (including the body) and attain eternal
life in a specialized realm. The importance of this concept is that there are a variety of
interpretations of the Gospels that opened the door for the factionalism seen in early
Christianity extending to modern times.
the Beloved Disciple (the one whom Jesus loved)
Appearing exclusively in the Gospel of John, he is the disciple who makes it first to the
tomb of Jesus, while Peter enters first (adhering to tradition). Some theologians associate
him with the ideal disciple, while others make claims that he is the disciple John (which
forms the basis for a sect (Johanine community) which places John in more propinquity
to Jesus than others to make their sect more legitimate and claim priority over Peter.
Gospel (literary genre)
Meaning good news. Classification of texts which make up the bible. The Greek word for
Gospel is euggelion. The genre itself refers to the content of apostolicity teaching. All
four canonical Gospels are characterized by similar elemental structures; stories of Jesus
life, collections of his sayings/teachings, accounts of his conflict with authority, and his
passion, death and rebirth. Everything is brought together in a single connected narrative
structure not according to historical chronology but in accordance with the authorial
intention and theological beliefs.
Parousia
Greek word meaning coming. Integral in Pauls writings where he speaks about the
impending parousia, or second coming of Jesus, signaling the end of age or end of the
world. It is important because Paul uses this concept and its imminence to solve problems
in his Christian communities, such as those turning away from Christianity in
Thessalonica and to encourage people to act morally as they will be judged at the time of
the Eschaton. Relates to the apocalyptic visions mentioned in Daniel 7.
Second Temple
Not only is the Temple mentioned in the Bible stories of Jesus, but is also a catalyst of the
Gospels, written shortly after. Very important for Luke as the focal point from which

Jesuss influence emanated. Constructed in the beginning of 515 BCE by returning exiles
under the oversight of Cyrus the Great of Persia. Demolished in 70 by Roman authorities
under the leadership of Emperor Nero in response to a Jewish rebellion. This signaled the
end of Jewish power and the beginning of the diaspora.
Heavenly high priest (Hebrews)
Title given to Jesus in the letter to Hebrews. As the high priest,, Jesus is placed at a level
above Aaron, rather he is a king-priest who can offer the permanent sacrifice that suffices
for all humanity. Fulfills both priestly savior and kingly savior outlined in Daniel
Logos
The word of God, made into flesh in Jesus. It is the principle of divine reason and
creative order, identified in the Gospel of John with the second person of the Trinity
incarnate in Jesus Christ. The concept of logos is very important to the Gospel of John an
since Jesus is literally described as Gods word or reason/wisdom made into flesh, it
displays that the author of the book has a very high Christology. John has a very high
Christology because it shows Jesus is logos/comes from above
Parable
Short story told with some underlying message. Jesus uses them to make a point through
analogy or comparison of a known fact, situation or experience with one that is less
familiar
Q
A Bible source that is part of the four source theory of the three synoptic Gospels. This
text which we do not have a full copy of is found in pieces in the Luke Matthew and
primarily consists of sayings of Jesus. Contributes to the Four Source theory and Markan
priority, claiming Luke and Matthew both gathered information from Mark and Q
Pharisee
Jews strongly committed to maintaining the purity laws set forth in the Torah and who
developed their own set of more carefully nuanced laws to help them do so. They are the
chief culprits to the Jewish opposition to Jesus during much of his ministry in Mark.
Thought to be responsible for what is described as being the oral tradition of the Jewish
faith, which outlined specifics of how to obey the word of God and was later transcribed
as the Mishnah in the Talmud. Saul/Paul is a Pharisee before Christ appears to him and he
instead devotes his life to Jesus
Essenes

An apocalyptic and ascetic Jewish sect that started during the Maccabean period,
members of which are generally believed to have produced the Dead Sea Scrolls. The
Essene sect is not mentioned in the New Testament but was understood to have
rigorously followed Mosaic Law and ritual practices and believed the apocalypse
imminent. The sect at Qumran specifically viewed the apocalypse as a battle between the
children of light and darkness (righteousness and wickedness) ultimately culminating
with Gods triumph and the admittance of his children into the blessed kingdom. The
leader of the Qumran sect was known as the Teacher of Righteousness
Apocalypse (genre)
A genre of literature in which means revelation or disclosure. A genre of revelatory
literature with a narrative framework in which a revelation is mediated by an
otherworldly being to a human recipient disclosing a transcendent reality which is both
temporal (insofar that it envisages eschatological salvation) and spatial (insofar as it
involves a supernatural realm). Most prominent Biblical examples are in Daniel 7 and
Revelation.
Marcion
A second century Christian scholar and evangelist, later labeled a heretic for his Docetic
Christology and his belief in two Godsthe harsh legalistic God of the Jews and the
merciful loving God of Jesusviews that he claimed to have found in the writings of Paul.
He accepted 11 books of the Bible, focusing primarily on the Gospel of Luke, while
removing reference to the Hebrew Scriptures, the Jews, and the humanity of Christ.
Pentacost
Celebration of the Holy Spirit coming down to the apostles of Jerusalem, allowing them
to speak with all people. Start of Acts, in which the apostles are sent forth
Synoptic Gospels
The Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke are often called the Synoptic Gospels because
they include many of the same stories, often in the same sequence with similar wording.
The Gospel of John is distinct from these three Gospels and the similarity between them
gave rise to what theologians call The Synoptic Problem
Jesus as High Priest (in Hebrews)
Hebrews 4:14-16 (see Heavenly High Priest)
Synoptic Problem
The fact that many of the passages in Matthew and Luke are repeated with minor changes
to the passages in Mark. But in other passages, they do not follow Mark. It is said the

passages that do not follow Mark were taken from a source other than Mark, or from the
respective Luke and Matthew sources. This source is referred to as the Q or Quelle
source.
Torah
Directly translated as teaching and often referred to as law, the first 5 books of the
Hebrew Scriptures comprise the Torah and they are traditionally attributed to Moses. It is
what Jews use to live their lives by, looking to it for guidance and law. Paul argues that it
is not necessary for one to follow the Torah in order to be justified through God, faith in
Christ is sufficient enough. Uses this argument to convert Gentiles without the
requirement of circumcision.
Stephen
First Christian martyr who was stoned in Jerusalem where Saul/Paul was as witness. He
joined the apostles early in Acts and was soon accused of blasphemy by Jews in
Jerusalem. He gave an extensive speech at his trial and denounced the Jews that were
judging him.
Passover
At the Passover where Jesus commenced the last supper, commemorates the exodus from
Egypt.
we passages in Acts
Term used to describe a set of four passages in the book of Acts in which the author stops
speaking in third person about what Paul and his companions were doing and speaks
instead in the first person about what we were doing. Some scholars use these passages
as evidence that the author of Luke/Acts was a companion of Paul; others believe that
these passages the author of Luke/Acts utilized a travel narrative as a source (much as he
utilized other sources, such as Mark and Q for his Gospel)
I am sayings in John
A group of sayings found only in the gospel of John, in which Jesus identifies himself. In
some sayings he speaks in metaphor (I am the bread of life/light of the world/the
way/the truth/the life) and other times he identifies himself simply by saying I am
(ego eimi)a possible reference to the name of God in Exodus three, indicating that
Johns Christology is extremely high
Stoicism
Greco roman philosophers who urged people to understand the way the world worked
and lie in accordance with it, letting nothing outside themselves affect their internal state

of well being Urged people to give up their attachements to the things of this world and
make their overarching concerns those aspects of their lives that they themselves were
able to control. Stemmed from the question what do you do if you base your happiness on
material goods, and then lose them. Focus attention/affection towards things that cannot
be taken from you, prhaps indicating devotion to Christ/Christianity rather than to
material possessions and status.
Conversion of Paul
On his way to Damascus, Paul was visited by Jesus, blinded for 3 days in Acts and scales
come from his eyes, Paul mentions his conversion in letters and uses his sudden
conversion to justify the veracity of his gospel.
Jerusalem Council
Council that decided Gentile converts did not have to adhere to Jewish laws
Point of Unity between Jews and Gentiles
Important because Gentiles did not have to become circumcised
Outcome: The Assembly confirmed the main leaders of the Church and recognized the
missionary vocation of Peter for the circumcised and that of Paul for the uncircumcised.
As a matter of fact, a sort of partitioning of the missionary field occurred: James, Kephas
and John were directed towards the Jews, while Paul and Barnabas were sent to preach to
the pagans
Saduccee
Jews of the upper classes who were closely concerned with and strong advocates for the
Temple cult in Jerusalem and emphasized the need for Jews to be properly involved in the
cultic worship of God as prescribed only in the Torah. They focused on sacrifices and
rejected all other written authority. They were largely in charge of the Jewish Sanhedrin,
the council of Jews that advised the high priest concerning policy and that served as a
kind of liaison with the Roman authorities. Some Sadducees were thought to have
prompted Pontius Pilate to execute Jesus because he prophesized Gods destruction of the
Temple.
Justification
The doctrine found in Pauls letters that a person is made right with God by trusting in the
effects of Christs death, rather than by doing the works prescribed by Jewish Law. One
must receive justification by God in order to achieve salvation, and does so through faith,
as Abraham was made right with God by trusting Him. Law is less significant now that
the flesh (part of self subject to sin) has been put to death in Christ, and therefore no
longer needs to submit to its cravings and violate the law.
realized eschatology

Holds that the eschatological passages in the New Testament do not refer to the future,
but instead refer to the ministry of Jesus and his lasting legacy. Eschatology is not the
end of the world but its rebirth instituted by Jesus and continued by his disciples, a
historical (rather than transhistorical) phenomenon. Those holding this view generally
dismiss end times theories, believing them to be irrelevant. They hold that what Jesus
said and did, and told his disciples to do likewise, are of greater significance than any
messianic expectations.
household rules (Col and Eph)
Found in deuteropauline letters of Colossians and Ephesians
List of ways to live in line with Roman authority, regarding primarily relationships
between husband/wife, parent/child, slave/master. Such magnified rules (focusing on
ones house) arent found anywhere in the non-disputed letters.
Possibly to throw off suspicion that was on Christians as well as form a long lasting
community
(Haustafeln)
The Seven Churches that are in Asia (Revelation)
The seven major churches of Early Christianity, as mentioned in the New Testament
Book of Revelation. In early part of the Revelation, on the Greek island of Patmos, Jesus
Christ instructs his servant John of Patmos, through an angelic intermediary, to :Write
on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, and to Smyrna,
and to Pergamum, and to Thyatira, and to Sardis, and to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.
Churches in this context refer to the community or local congregations of Christians
living in each city, and not merely to the building or buildings in which they gathered for
worship.
pseudonymity
Used by aythors to either hide their identity or to take the place of a famous individual for
greater exposure. Examples of this occur frequently in the Bible, notably in deuteronPauline letters and in the Gospel of Thomas and Peter.
Relevant in the deuteron Pauline letters as well as the Gospels of Thomas and Peter
Peter
AKA Cephas. One of the 12 apostles of Jesus Christ, and who was appointed by Christ
leader of the early Christian Church. Peter confessed Jesus as the Messiah, was part of
Jesus inner circle, but thrice denied Jesus in the Gospel of John, weeping bitterly once he
realized his deed, and also preached on the day of the Pentecost. The ancient Christian
churches all venerate Peter as a major saint and associate him with founding the Church

of Antioch and later the Church in Rome. As Paul was apostle to the Gentiles, Peter was
apostle to the Jews. He was the first to enter tomb of Jesus after his resurrection

James the brother of Jesus

Brought up in Pauls letter to the Romans, real or half-brother of Jesus
Martyred large figure in the Early Christian Church
Spoke against Paul at council of Jerusalem
Pesher
An interpretive commentary on scripture, especially one in Hebrew. It became known
from one group of texts, numbering some hundred, among the Dead Sea Scrolls. Most
notable of which was the Habakkuk pesher which dealt with internal religious politics of
Jerusalem and the Temple priesthood as well as the repercussions following the
appearance of the Romans
Caiaphas
Jewish high priest major opponent of Jesus and who organized plot to kill Jesus and may
have played a role in the Sanhedrin trial of Jesus
Johannine community
A network of churches responsible for the production of 4 New Testament writings: the
Gospel of John and three letters of John (1 John, 2 John, 3 John). Together, those books
reveal how a particular Christian community dealt with religious tensions during the last
few decades of the first century C.E. and is an example of factionalism emerging in the
early church.
Mary Magdalene
Friend of Jesus, first to discover Jesus was not in the tomb
More recent folklore has her in a romantic relationship with Jesus Christ (Dan Brown)
The essays of Part III will be based on the following:
1. In his undisputed letters, Paul addresses a variety of problems that he perceives in the
churches to which he writes. Examples of such problems include: circumcision in
Galatia; sexual immorality at Corinth; the rejection of Pauls apostolic authority in 2
Corinthians; the death of Christians at Thessolonica as this relates to the return of Jesus;
and the relations between Gentile and Jewish followers of Christ in Rome. Discuss in
detail how Paul understands and responds to three such problems (though you need not
limit yourself to those mentioned above). Include in your discussion explicit mention of

how Pauls understanding of Christ and what Christ accomplished for humanity informs
his responses to these particular problems. Be as specific as you can in referring to the
biblical text, although I am mindful that you will not have the Bible in front of you.
1. Circumcision in Galatia
a. Paul writes a letter to the Galatians in which he asserts the veracity of his
Gospel, the only one, and the only requirement of faith for justification
b. Paul is angry that the Galatians are listening to false Gospel, questioning if
they believe they received the Holy Spirit from Paul through accepting his
Gospel or through following the Torah (hint: Gospel).
c. Paul denies need for circumcision, faith suffices, no need to follow the
Torah and become Circumcised in order to partake in the covenantal
agreement. Draws from the Abrahamic convenient in which God accepts
Abraham and his descendants long before circumcision/Torah was
introduced by Moses
d. Paul rejects observance to the Torah as its foundation is on sin, he argues
sin would not be known if not for the Torah
e. Law was a way of keeping humanity in check until Jesus arrival and the
occurrence of the Christ event. Jesus is in the heart of everyone with faith,
so law no longer needed for salvation
2. Sexual immorality in Corinth
a. Paul addresses the problem of sexual immorality in Corinth by arguing
that a basic morality is necessary to be upright in the Lords eyes
b. Corinthians were convinced they were living in the latter days, they
believed the eschaton imminent and given their professed faith in Christ,
salvation was secured
c. Paul argues that being faithful isnt enough, but conducting oneself in a
moral way makes one upright to the Lord and ensures salvation when the
parousia happens.
d. Paul takes moral conservatism one step beyond saying the parousia is
coming so soon that even marriage is not worth it, stay sexually abstinent
in order to be as morally pure as possible for the eschaton
3. Death of Christians at Thessolonica
a. After Paul left Thessalonica, some of the people who belonged to the
church died. Because Jesus had not yet returned, doubt arose in the mind
of Thessalonians still living.
b. No way has he abandoned faith, Jesus will return to Earth in the near
future
c. Those who are dead will be raised and share equally in the parousia with
those still living. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven
and the dead in Christ will rise first
d. Those alive will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in
the air, to be with him forever
e. Parousia will come like a thief in the night, no one knows when

2. The early Christian communities exhibited a variety of different attitudes toward the
world around them, including fear and avoidance, efforts at incorporation of outsiders,
even open acceptance of some societal norms and ideas. Describe the attitudes toward
the pagan (i.e. non-Christian, non-Jewish) world found in the following:
1) Luke/Acts
Luke
Sermon on the Plainreaching out to the marginalized and trying to get them to put their
faith in Christ. Blessed are those who are poor/hungry
Acts
Paul acknowledges the faith of the people of Athens (idols everywhere) but tells them to
put their faith in God who created the world and sent his son Jesus who died for his sins
and was reborn
More emphasis in these books to convert non believers/pagans
2) Revelation
of Pagans killed in Revelation, in order for the other to repent. Still giving them a
chance/benefit of a doubt sort of like in Acts/Luke. If they dont repent though.
But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the polluted, the murderers, the fornicators, the
sorcerers, the idolaters, and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and
sulfur, which is the second death.
[a]

Pretty grim outlook for pagans here

3) Colossians or Ephesians
No immoral, impure or greedy person--such a person is an idolater--has any inheritance
in the kingdom of Christ and of God.Ephesians
Stray away from semi-paganistic practices like angel worship. Only God and Jesus
should be worshipped. Mentioned in Colossians

The household rules are in line with those of Roman culture in an attempt to stave off
suspicion that shrouded the Christian religion in the eyes of outsiders. It also worked to
set up a long lasting church community (Parousia delayed in deutero paul here).
3. From Daniel 7 through the book of Revelation, we have encountered several
apocalyptic texts and other texts that contain apocalyptic ideas. Explain what an
apocalyptic worldview is, and define what a text that is an apocalypse looks liek (i.e.,
what characterizes the literary genre of apocalypse). Then illustrate what Revelation has
in common with Jewish apocalyptic texts such as Daniel 7 and also what makes
Revelation distinctive.
The Jewish apocalyptic world view is that the latter days are the ones we are living
through now. DEFINITION OF LITERARY GENRE.
The book of Revelation is similar to apocalyptic texts as it utilizes the idea that these are
the last days of earth and that Gods plan and order are near to come to an end. To fulfill
the requirements of the apocalyptic genre, the recipient of this message is a human, John
of Patmos. In the spirit of Daniel 7, the book of revelation uses the idea of different beasts
(leopard, etc) to illustrate the idea that chaos, at the time of the eschaton, will come
back and disrupt the divine order that is in place in earth. This is the classical Jewish
interpretation of the end of days. As in Daniel 7, where the beasts represented different
powers, like the Greeks and Antiochus IV, the beast here is meant to represent the Roman
empire. Likewise, there is reference to the Roman emperor of the time, Nero, by using
gematria a way to codify words with numbers.
In contrast with the Jewish tradition, which simply posits the end of days and the
resurgence of chaos, this Christian text utilizes this framework to emphasize the
importance of believing in Jesus Christ. In revelation, Jesus is represented as lamb which
is meant to portray Gods sacrifice for humanity. Moreover, the figure of Jesus is defined
by two main components: the martial and the judicial. In order to fight the forces of chaos
and evil, it is necessary to use power and force to overcome them. Likewise, these beasts
are to be judged and condemned for their disruption of order, hence the requirement of a
judicial component Thus the Christian tradition uses this Jewish framework to justify the
faith in Jesus, as he is the resolution pertaining to all problems of the latter days.
Moreover, the genre of apocalypse is related to the communitys cognitive dissonance.
The Christians, under the oppressive Roman authority are being presecuted. This, if
Jesus is the actual messiah should not be the case. Thus, by introducing the idea of Jewish
apocalypse, the author of this text equates the forces of chaos and evil to those that are
acting and creating disorder in the form of abuse. The figure of Jesus is thus used to
comfort the community and is meant to be the remedy of this chaos.
4. The appearance of four gospels in the NT and other gospel-like texts outside of it
prove that reflection about Jesus identity, words, actions, and importance continued
unabated for a long while after his life. Choose one Synoptic gospel along with John and
one non-canonical gospel-like text. Then choose a representative saying/speech of
Jesus from each as well as one representative deed/action of Jesus and discuss how each
text presents and understands these.