The questions categorized:

My comments

Single text telated questions:

What is Jesus' genealogy according to the Gospel of Matthew? Explain the significance of this genealogy and its place in the gospel.

This and the next question engage various biblical interpretive methods to focus on part of the text. Worth knowing.

In the Gospel of John, what is meant by the word 'Word'?

Is Thomas a synoptic gospel? If so, how is similar to the other ‘synoptic’s? If not, was it included in the canon? If not, why? Why were certain early Christians concerned about this gospel and what did they do about it? Does Thomas hold any value/threat for contemporary Christianity?

This and the next question focus on what we mean by ‘synoptic’ and ‘canonical’ gospels. Further, they ask to know how or who formed the canon and how or why some texts were chosen and not others.

Is John a synoptic gospel? If so, how is it similar to the other ‘synoptic’s? If not, why is it included in the canon?

Paul /Saul

Why is Paul's Epistle to the Romans unique? What does Paul's Epistle to the Romans say about salvation/grace/atonement?

Try to get this. May be asked in connection with another question.

Compare and contrast Paul’s epistles to three [of the] gospels we studied.

Tough to pin this down, but think of easily distinguishable points.

Historical focus:

Explain the four kinds of Early Christian Groups that we discussed in class.  What did they believe?  What time period and geographic location did they reside? Which group appears most akin to contemporary Christian faith?

Probably will not be an essay question, but knowing the basics will be helpful.

The Council of Nicaea:  Approximately, when did it happen?  Who called for its gathering?  Why was it convened?  What question or questions did it try to answer?  What problems did it attempt to solve?  Name something important that came about because of it.

Will not be asked as an essay question, but knowing the basics will help avoid mistakes.

Reading /interpretive

How does Joseph Ratzinger’s instruct us to read the Bible? What can we learn from this?

Worth knowing, especially in honor of his recent visit.

Across gospels

How do the story lines of Genesis 1 and Genesis 2 differ? What can we learn from a close reading of these chapters?

What can a close reading of these chapters reveal or teach us?

What is the importance of the Old Testament stories in the context of the Early Christian writings, including Paul's Epistles and the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and John?

Will not be asked as an essay question. But worth knowing generally (with an example) to support other questions.

Compare and contrast the two openings of the Gospel of Mark and the Gospel of Matthew. Are there any similarities? What are the differences, and why are they important to understanding the audience each writer was writing to, or people they are referring to?

A close reading of these two ‘similar’ gospels helped open up part of our course. Could be combined with any of the three questions that follow.

We read 2 of the 3 synoptic gospels, Matthew and Mark, what differentiates these two Gospels from John, the only non synoptic gospel.

See above

Give a summary of the relationship between the four synoptic gospels.  Why would some people consider the similarities "peculiar"?

See above

Explain the main structural and literary characteristics of each of the four canonical Gospels.  What features allow us to discern between each of them?  Take into account the differing timelines, synoptic/non-synoptic, main focuses, etc

See above

Augustine /Julian

Compare/contrast the positions of Augustine and Julian on sin and Adam’s original sin. Which thesis is ultimately accepted and how is relevant for early Christian doctrine?

Augustine and Julian reach different conclusions from reading the same narrative. Why does one reading prevail? What is at stake for humanity? Nice.

What do Mark’s miracles reveal about Jesus and how do they apply to the views of both Augustine and Julian? Address the “Beatitudes” similarly.

Augustine and Julian read Mark and Matthew differently. Worth knowing how and why.

Theme /Concept

Compare and contrast the way to salvation according to the Gospel of Thomas with the Gospels of Mark, Matthew and John.

Salvation is tricky. Try to pin down succinct differences.

Explain the meaning of the word Gospel? Give examples of how the gospels we read underscore this meaning.

Know the term and supporting examples. Will not be asked as a separate essay question.

Discuss the meaning and importance of the numerous “lenses” we all must see the world through.  Is it a good or bad thing that we all have very different “lenses”? What are the consequences of using a lens while studying other texts?

Not an essay question by itself, but knowing this will help to answer a related question.

What is heresy? How did heresy develop into Christianity? Write an account of its involvement and history in Early Christianity.

Important to grasp what is ‘heresy’ and how its complex relationship or designation affected the development of Christianity. (This will not be an essay question, but could help to answer a related question.)

Missing: Missing here are questions pertaining to the death and resurrection of Jesus - as its significance holds for Paul, the Gospel of John, Bishop Irenaeus, and Augustine. (It is also relevant for Constantine, but we did not discuss this.)

Many of the questions below pertain to important parts of our course. However, we cannot properly address them because  a) of the focus of our course;  b) we have not sufficiently discussed this material;  c) a question needs clarifying, or d) it/they is/are inappropriately subjective for this type of exam.

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Based on the information we studied in this course, do you think women will ever be allowed to rise in the church hierarchy? support your answer.

What are some themes of the Beatitudes and from this model, does salvation seem attainable to you?  What questions/ reservations do you have about what’s written in this Matthew selection?

Imagine you were alive to witness Jesus’ teachings and miracles.  You are now a disciple and have set out to write the good news of these teachings (a gospel).  Of the New Testament writers (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, Thomas) who do you feel your writings would most resemble and why?

There are many differing opinions on the importance and relevance of the Old Testament when compared to the New Testament.  However, which New Testament gospel bases its message of Jesus on the importance of the Old Testament.  Where in that gospel did Jesus himself acknowledge the Old Testament’s importance, and how did he do it?

Explain how symbols are used in religion?

The Gospel of  -------- contains the secret teachings of Jesus

Write a homily connecting readings A/B/C/D [provided].  Use your knowledge of the writings, personal experience, and anything else applicable that contributes to your message.

Using the texts we have read in class (the gospels, Pagels), how do you feel one achieves salvation?  Is it through belief or through action?  Does one need guidance from the church?

Should non-canonical gospels be considered as important to Christians as canonical? Why or why not?

How may the story of creation be seen differently through the eyes of Adam, Eve, God or the serpent?

Why did the followers of Jesus not fight for him when he was captured?  (From "The Feast of the Agape to the Nicene Creed")

Why is Constantine’s conversion to Christianity significant?

What was Paul's name prior to his conversion and what was the story around his conversion?  Where can this story be read and who is it's author?

Who did Saul encounter on the road to Damascus? What was his name changed to? Where was he from? Was he a Roman citizen? What city did he die in, how did he die, and why was he brought there in the first place?

What was Paul's canonical contribution?