Deck 14: The Sermon of James the Just-Jesus Brother

Question 1

Christianity became a largely Gentile movement almost immediately after Pentecost.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

By A.D. 64 the followers of Jesus were already distinguished from Judaism as a separate religion.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

James was written in A.D. 70.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

The author of your textbook seriously questions the notion that James is not a "Christian" document, since James makes extensive use of the Jesus tradition.

Question 5

The term Semitic denotes the characteristics or features of the Semitic languages such as Hebrew or Aramaic. So, if a Greek phrase or passage has a Semitic feel, this means that it bears the influence of a Semitic language such as Hebrew or Aramaic.

Question 6

It is probable that the Twelve Tribes of the Dispersion in the address of James is used literally of the Jewish Christians as distinct from Gentile Christians.

Question 7

According to your textbook, James should not be seen as an extreme Pharisaical legalist.

Question 8

The author of the epistle of James most likely was . . .

A) James, son of Zebedee, one of Jesus' original twelve disciples.
B) James, the half-brother of Jesus.
C) James, the son of Alphaeus, one of Jesus' original twelve disciples.
D) James, the father of Judas (not Judas Iscariot).

Question 9

The audience of James is most likely . . .

A) Jewish Christians living outside the Holy Land.
B) Jewish Christians living in the Holy Land.
C) Gentile Christians living in the Holy Land.
D) Non-Christian Gentiles living in the Holy Land.

Question 10

The primary purpose/s that seem/s to underlie the Epistle of James is/are . . .

A) to counter the false "Gospel" of the Judaizers.
B) to encourage Gentile Christians in Jerusalem.
C) both a and b
D) neither a nor b

Question 11

The "division of labor" between the ministry of Peter and the ministry of Paul was that it was . . .

A) more geographic than ethnic.
B) more ethnic than geographic.
C) entirely ethnic.
D) entirely geographic.

Question 12

What evidence speaks against the notion that Christianity transitioned rapidly and early from a largely Jewish to a largely Gentile movement?

A) The Roman government did not recognize Christianity as a religion distinct from Judaism for at least three decades.
B) The real leaders of the early church were all Jews, and Peter had an extensive ministry specifically to Jews.
C) A substantial part of the New Testament was written to Jewish Christians.
D) All of the above
E) None of the above

Question 13

Which of the following was NOT originally grouped with the "Catholic" or "general" epistles?

A) Hebrews
B) James
C) 1 Peter
D) Jude

Question 14

Suspicions about the Epistle of James seem to have originated . . .

A) from the outset of its appearance.
B) at the Jerusalem Council.
C) at the Council of Nicea.
D) with Martin Luther.
E) with the Enlightenment.

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT one of the "red flags" that raised suspicion regarding James?

A) apparent contradiction with Pauline thought
B) no overtly "Christian" content
C) little to no earmarks of a letter at all
D) reflects no personal knowledge of the earthly Jesus
E) use of figures of speech

Question 16

According to your textbook, the epistle of James . . .

A) is not an epistle at all.
B) should not be a part of the New Testament canon.
C) was originally composed in Hebrew.
D) was written for Gentile Christians.
E) is largely a collection of isolated exhortations.

Question 17

According to your textbook, which of the following best describes James (the document)?

A) It is a hortatory sermon.
B) It is a letter.
C) It is historical narrative.
D) It is a memoir.

Question 18

James often alludes to . . .

A) the Semitic parts of Acts.
B) the Sermon on the Mount.
C) the epistles of Paul.
D) 2 Peter.

Question 19

James stresses . . .

A) faith as the necessary origin of good works.
B) good works as the necessary outcome of faith.
C) the dichotomy or opposition of faith and good works.
D) none of the above

Question 20

Which type of Old Testament literature does James reflect?

A) Law
B) Poetry
C) History
D) Wisdom

Question 21

The emphasis in James is on . . .

A) good works.
B) faith.
C) Christian ethics.
D) grace.

Question 22

James is filled with…

A) imperatives.
B) stories of Paul.
C) analogies.
D) enthymemes

Question 23

James establishes a close link between belief and . . .

A) conduct.
B) commitment.
C) theology.
D) laws.

Question 24

The clearest sociological emphasis in James is on . . .

A) social class injustices.
B) economic injustice.
C) racial inequity.
D) family disharmony.

Question 25

When analyzing the parallels to Jesus' teaching in James we notice . . .

A) James rarely cites the sayings of Jesus directly.
B) the material is presented as the teaching of James.
C) it appears that Matthew and James both draw upon a common source.
D) All of the above

Question 26

James is overall what type of rhetoric?

A) Forensic
B) deliberative
C) epideictic
D) Asiatic

Question 27

Which of the following describes a type of argumentation involving an imaginary dialogue partner?

A) Syllogism
B) paronomasia
C) diatribe
D) peroration

Question 28

Which of the following describes the comparison of two unlike things or persons that are nevertheless similar in a particular aspect?

A) Synkrisis
B) syllogism
C) symbiosis
D) synoptic

Question 29

James died as a martyr in . . .

A) A.D. 60.
B) A.D. 61.
C) A.D. 62.
D) None of the above

Question 30

What does James do in his document with the fact that he is Jesus' half-brother?

A) He makes it a platform for establishing his authority.
B) He mentions it rarely in defense of his correct doctrine.
C) He mentions it once to silence his detractors.
D) He never mentions it at all.

Question 31

Compare James and Paul on the role of faith and works, and assess their level of compatibility.

Question 32

Some argue that the epistle of James was originally a non-Christian Jewish book. What are the most compelling arguments for that view, and how would you respond to them?

Question 33

Summarize the thesis statement of James.

Question 34

Define and describe the genre of James.

Question 35

Who authored James? How do we know? What options does Witherington give?