Question 1

The Sermon on the Mount is likely . . .
A) a record of what Jesus preached on a single, historic occasion.
B) a collection of things Jesus said on various occasions arranged topically.
C) traceable to the teachings of Rabbi Shammai.
D) none of the above

Accepted Answer

The Sermon on the Mount, as presented in the Gospels, is generally understood by scholars to be a compilation of Jesus' teachings, arranged thematically rather than a transcript of a single sermon. This reflects the literary and theological purposes of the Gospel writers, particularly Matthew, in presenting Jesus' teachings in a structured manner.

Question 2

The material in what scholars label "Q" is . . .
A) entirely sayings material.
B) entirely narrative material.
C) mostly sayings material with a few narrative sections.
D) mostly narrative material with a few sayings interspersed.

Accepted Answer

The material in "Q" is primarily composed of sayings of Jesus, but it also includes a few narrative sections. "Q" is hypothesized to be a source used by the Gospel writers, particularly Matthew and Luke, for the sayings of Jesus that are not found in Mark.

Question 3

Which of the Synoptic writers most likely preserves the original order of Jesus' sayings?
A) Matthew
B) Mark
C) Luke
D) Thomas

Accepted Answer

C

Question 4

How many sayings of Jesus are in the "Q" material?
A) 100
B) 75
C) 50
D) 49

Accepted Answer

The "Q" material, also known as the Sayings Gospel or the Gospel of Thomas, contains 49 sayings of Jesus.

Question 5

Into how many sections is the "Q" material divided?
A) Two
B) three
C) five
D) seven

Accepted Answer

The answer of Into how many sections is the "Q"...

Question 6

According to your textbook, which Synoptist preserves Jesus' sayings closest to his exact original words?
A) Matthew
B) Mark
C) Luke
D) Thomas

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to your textbook, which Synoptist preserves...

Question 7

What is Q?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is Q?...

Question 8

What is the Synoptic problem?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the Synoptic problem?...

Question 9

Why do scholars think that Matthew and Luke used Mark's Gospel as a source?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why do scholars think that Matthew and...

Question 10

Pseudonymous documents existed in the first century A. D.

Accepted Answer

Pseudonymous documents, where the author writes under a false name, were indeed a common practice in various literary and philosophical traditions, including those of the first century A.D. This was a period rich in religious, philosophical, and literary texts, some of which were attributed to figures who did not actually author them.

Question 11

The creation of pseudonymous documents was accepted as ethical for early Jews and Christians and these documents are included in the NT.

Accepted Answer

Pseudonymous documents were not universally accepted as ethical by early Jews and Christians, and while some scholars argue that certain New Testament texts may have been written under pseudonyms, this practice was generally frowned upon and not officially sanctioned.

Question 12

For a pseudonymous work to be effective, it needs to be written in the name of a famous enough person at a great enough remove in time from its putative author and audience.

Accepted Answer

A pseudonymous work is written under a false name, and for it to be effective, it needs to be written in the name of a famous enough person at a great enough remove in time from its putative author and audience. This is because it helps to create a sense of authenticity and credibility for the work.

Question 13

Witherington argues that James and Jude were not written by the brothers of Jesus but by other early Christians who bore the same names as James and Jude.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Witherington argues that James and Jude were...

Question 14

The rhetorical technique called "impersonation" (prosopopoeia) was used to deceive the audience about who was writing.

Accepted Answer

Prosopopoeia, or impersonation, is a rhetorical device used to give voice to someone who does not have one or to personify abstract concepts, rather than to deceive the audience about the author's identity.

Question 15

In what year was it first suggested that there were pseudonymous documents in the NT?
A) A. D. 50
B) A. D. 250
C) 1792
D) 2001

Accepted Answer

The suggestion that there were pseudonymous documents in the New Testament was first made in 1792 by the German scholar F. E. D. Schleiermacher. This marked the beginning of critical scholarship questioning the traditional authorship of some New Testament texts.

Question 16

What document allows us to conclude that there were objections by Christians to the practice of pseudepigraphy?
A) Muratorian canon list
B) Letter to Aristeas
C) 4 Ezra
D) None of the above

Accepted Answer

The Muratorian Canon, a document from the late 2nd century, lists accepted Christian writings and implicitly shows objections to pseudepigraphy by excluding certain texts based on authorship concerns.

Question 17

Early Christian writers such as Paul believed . . .
A) that both orally and in writing they were speaking the word of God.
B) that the ancient practice of pseudonymous letters was acceptable.
C) that their letters were not for specific situations.
D) None of the above

Accepted Answer

Early Christian writers, including Paul, believed that they were conveying the word of God, whether they were communicating orally or through written texts. This belief underscores the authoritative tone and purpose behind their writings, aiming to guide and instruct the early Christian communities.

Question 18

Discuss the indications that the concept of intellectual property was not foreign to antiquity and that writers took steps to protect their work from being co-opted or added to or subtracted from.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Discuss the indications that the concept of...

Quiz 22: Q Material, Synoptic Writers, and Pseudonymous Documents in the New Testament

The Sermon on the Mount is likely . . .

The material in what scholars label "Q" is . . .

Which of the Synoptic writers most likely preserves the original order of Jesus' sayings?

How many sayings of Jesus are in the "Q" material?

Into how many sections is the "Q" material divided?

According to your textbook, which Synoptist preserves Jesus' sayings closest to his exact original words?