Part II. Short answer questions (30% - 15 minutes , 3-4 sentences each)
1. What internal and external evidence is used to date Matthew's Gospel?
2. Describe what Malina calls the "three-zone model" for the makeup of human personality in the ancient Mediterranean world and its significance for understanding the New Testament. Give one example from the New Testament illustrating the the interaction of two or more of these zones.
3. What were the specific symbols of Jewish national identity that Antiochus IV Epiphanes attacked or outlawed according to Chapter 1 of I Maccabees? Give three examples.
4. What are the main differences and similarities in Luther Martin's Hellenistic religious strategies of piety and mystery? Give one example of each.

Part III. Essay (30% - 20-25 minutes, 3-4 page essay.
1. What other Jewish religious movements were contemporary rivals of early Christianity? Briefly describe three of them and discuss how they differed from one another. Hint: Pay special attention to their views of divine revelation and their attitudes toward other s: Jews and non-Jews (esp. the Roman rulers).
2. In the episode of Herod, Herodias, and the daughter (Mark 6:14-29), what sort of honor-shame interaction goes on? what is the meaning of the oaths?
3. Discuss the interaction between Jesus and the Syrophoenician woman (Mark 7:24-30) in terms of honor and shame.
4. Does the decision of the Apostolic Council in Jerusalem as described in Acts 15:1-35 honor or dishonor the "brothers of Gentile origin" or Paul and Barnabas? Imagine that you were either a "brother [or sister] of Gentile origin, or Paul. Would you take the council's policy and letter (Acts 15:23-29) as an insult to or affirmation of your status as a Christian?

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Content by Jonathan Brumberg-Kraus, Associate Professor of Religion
Last Update 10.7.02