Question 1

The New Testament is composed of 28 books that are classified as oral literature.

Accepted Answer

The New Testament consists of 27 books, not 28, and while they have origins in oral traditions, they are written texts, not classified as oral literature.

Question 2

In the ancient world, most readers could identify what kind of document they were reading by the end of the first paragraph.

Accepted Answer

In the ancient world, documents often began with a formulaic introduction that indicated the type of document.

Question 3

The story of Jesus presented in each of the Gospels follows a nearly perfect chronological order.

Accepted Answer

Each of the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) presents the story of Jesus in a slightly different order, focusing on themes and audiences specific to their narratives rather than adhering to a strict chronological sequence.

Question 4

The Passion narrative receives the most space in the Gospel accounts.

Accepted Answer

The Passion narrative, which details the events leading up to and including the crucifixion of Jesus, occupies a significant portion of each of the four Gospels, reflecting its central importance in Christian theology.

Question 5

New Testament epistles are much longer than ordinary ancient letters.

Accepted Answer

New Testament epistles are much longer than ordinary ancient letters because they were intended to be read aloud to the entire church, not just to one individual.

Question 6

The New Testament writings are rightly understood as objective, newspaper-like reporting.

Accepted Answer

The New Testament writings, while containing historical elements, are primarily theological documents intended to convey the beliefs, teachings, and experiences of early Christian communities, rather than objective, journalistic reporting.

Question 7

Unlike most modern historians, ancient historians typically did not exclude divine activity in human history.

Accepted Answer

Ancient historians often included divine activity as a significant factor in their explanations of historical events, unlike most modern historians who tend to focus on human actions and socio-economic factors.

Question 8

The first, and perhaps most fundamental, step in interpreting any document is determining its . . .

Accepted Answer

Determining the genre of a document is fundamental because it sets the context for interpretation, influencing how the text is understood in terms of its purpose, structure, and conventions.

Question 9

The term "genre" refers to . . .

Accepted Answer

The term "genre" is used to categorize works of art, literature, or craftsmanship based on a set of characteristics or qualities that distinguish them from works in different categories.

Question 10

Which of the following draws the best comparison between the New Testament Gospels and modern biography/history?

Accepted Answer

The Gospels differ from modern biographies and histories in their approach, purpose, and structure. They focus on the theological significance of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, rather than providing a detailed chronological account of his life or a critical analysis of historical events, which is more characteristic of modern biographies and histories.

Question 11

Which of the following has NOT been suggested by scholars as the literary family of the Gospels?

Accepted Answer

The Gospels have been categorized by scholars into various literary genres such as mythology, legend, and ancient biography, but not as Roman imperial court records. This classification reflects their content, purpose, and narrative style, which align more closely with religious and biographical literature than with the administrative records of the Roman Empire.

Question 12

According to Witherington, which of the following argues most tellingly against the view that the Gospels are a type of mythology?

Accepted Answer

Witherington argues that the crucifixion of Jesus is a compelling argument against the view that the Gospels are a type of mythology. This is because the crucifixion, as a humiliating and excruciating form of execution reserved for the lowest criminals, is not the kind of event that myth-makers would invent to promote a heroic figure. It goes against the grain of what one would expect in a mythological story designed to elevate its protagonist.

Question 13

According to Witherington, which writing sums up all the different kinds of literature displayed in the entire New Testament?

Accepted Answer

The Book of Revelation sums up all the different kinds of literature displayed in the entire New Testament, including apocalyptic, prophetic, epistolary, and narrative.

Question 14

The New Testament . . .

Accepted Answer

The New Testament was indeed written by Jews, connects the story of Jesus to the Old Testament, and builds on the practices and customs found in the Old Testament, making all the provided options correct.

Question 15

The art of persuasion and speaking well in public is denoted by the term . . .

Accepted Answer

Rhetoric is the art of persuasion, often associated with speaking well in public and the study of techniques for using language effectively.

Question 16

Which of the following best describes the literature of the New Testament?

Accepted Answer

The New Testament literature is primarily "oral literature," meaning it originated from oral traditions before being written down. This reflects the way stories, teachings, and events were transmitted in the cultures and communities of the time.

Question 17

Which Gospel begins with a genealogy?

Accepted Answer

The Gospel of Matthew begins with a genealogy of Jesus, tracing his lineage from Abraham through David to Joseph, establishing Jesus' Jewish heritage and royal lineage.

Question 18

Which of the following was a part of the earliest manuscripts of the New Testament?

Accepted Answer

The earliest manuscripts of the New Testament did not include headers, paragraph divisions, spaces between words, or verse divisions. These features were added to texts in later centuries to aid in reading and interpretation.

Question 19

Which Gospel begins with a theological prologue?

Accepted Answer

The Gospel of John begins with a theological prologue, famously starting with "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." This introduction sets a distinct theological tone that emphasizes the divinity of Jesus Christ, distinguishing it from the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) which start with more historical or genealogical introductions.

Question 20

Which Gospel begins with a historical preface?

Accepted Answer

The Gospel of Luke begins with a historical preface addressed to Theophilus, explaining the author's motive and methodology for writing an orderly account of the life and teachings of Jesus.

Quiz 2: The Literature of the New Testament