Jesus Christ

Spring 2016
Unit 3 Test: Study Guide
For the Unit 3 Test, be sure to familiarize yourself with the following terms and
concepts from lectures, classroom discussions, the video, and activities, as well as
your readings from the text. It is recommended that you study in groups or with a
partner, and that you compare and collate (Look it up!) your lecture notes. Please
note that PowerPoint presentations from lectures will NOT be posted online.
The test (on Haiku) will consist of 25 questions, worth 1 point each, and will include
true/false, multiple choice, and short answer (3-5 well developed sentences).

Understand that the Gospels, while they contain elements of historical writing
and have a historical core, are not pure history; they are literary and
theological works
Know how the Roman occupation of Palestine happened (invasion under
General Pompey, etc.), and the general structure of Roman government
(Emperor and Senate rule from Rome, local governors oversee outlying
provinces, the Pax Romana, etc.)
Know who the Herods are (including Herod the Great and his sons, Archelaus,
Antipas, and Phillip) and their role in the governing of Palestine
Be familiar with the major factions of Judaism (Pharisees, Sadducees, Zealots,
and Essenes), as well as their defining characteristics
Be familiar with other important social groups (e.g., Hellenists or the Anawim)
Understand the rabbi/talmid (disciple) relationship in the first century
Understand how Christianity developed from a rabbinic movement within
Judaism (the Jesus Movement) to a separate and distinct religion
Understand the importance of the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple by
the Romans as a defining moment for both Jews and Christians
Be familiar with how the written traditions of Christianity and Pharisaic
Judaism developed in the first century (the New Testament and the Talmud)
Know what is meant by canonical Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John)
Know the meaning and origin of the word Gospel (from Greek, good
message)
Understand that gospel is a literary form (genre) unto itself, which shares
elements with ancient history, biography, and wisdom literature
Understand why the Gospels are of primary importance among all the New
Testament writings, as well as their centrality for the Christian life
Know the three stages of Gospel formation (life and teachings of Jesus > oral
tradition > written tradition)
Be familiar with some extra-biblical, non-Christian sources on the life of Jesus
(Josephus, Tacitus), and what they have to say (Jesus actually lived, he was a
wise teacher with a wide following, he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, etc.)
Understand what is meant by kerygma and its importance for the early
Church

Understand what Source Criticism has to say about the development of the
Gospels, and know what is meant by Synopotic Gospels, Marcan Primacy,
Q Source (from German Quelle), and the Two Source Hypothesis
Be familiar with the basic information about the four canonical Gospels,
including author, audience, date of composition, overarching themes, and
general outline
Know the social strata in first century Palestine (ruling class, priestly class,
merchant class, lower class)
Be familiar with common professions and trades in first century Palestine
(e.g., tenant farmers, merchants, smiths, masons, fishermen, or carpenters)
Be familiar with the languages spoken in first century Palestine (Latin Koine
Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic), by whom they were spoken, and their general
importance
Be familiar with other aspects of daily life, including housing, food, and
clothing
Understand familial roles in first century Palestine
Understand how taxation affected people in first century Palestine