Questions for the Quiz

Gallio Inscription

  1. Why can we not date Paul’s life from his letters?
    1. [Gal 1:15-2:1 only gives us a relative chronology with no reference points to verifiable and datable historical events]
  2. How is the Gallio inscription used to date Paul?
    1. [The information of Acts 18:12 ff that Paul and Gallio were in Corinth at the same time is taken as historically verifiable]
  3. Why is it questionable to use the Gallio inscription for dating Paul?
    1. Acts historical accuracy is questionable in other places; it may just show how the author of Acts dates Paul.
    2. Some difficulties with reconstructing the text of the inscription
    3. Difficulties dating the inscription precisely
    4. Difficult to place Paul’s stay in Corinth within the framework of Galatians, which does not mention a trip to Corinth

Acts of Paul and Thecla

1.        What does Paul look like in the Acts of Paul and Thecla?

2.        What is the ethical message of the Acts of Paul? [virginity]

3.        What is the genre of this book? (Explains a site and date linked to Thecla, see the end of the book)

4.        Parallels between the trial of Thecla and the trial of Jesus? (Does not speak)

5.  List arguments that the Acts of Paul may have been written by a woman. [Narrative perspective. Women are the heroines, men are predictable characters]

Josephus

Against Apion

4.        Which language does J. write in? (Greek)

5.        Who is his audience? (Romans, not Jews)

6.        Who would you describe the character of the text: friendly, informal, informative? (polemical)

7.        What is the objective of this book? (to prove the antiquity of the Jewish tradition)

8.        Which books in the NT have an introduction by the author? (Lk / Acts)

9.        List 3 Parallels between Luke and the introduction to “Against Apion”? (refers to competition, speaks in first person, dedication to a publisher, "preaching to the choir")

10.     When did Josephus live? ((after crucifixion to ca. 100))

11.     What are the titles of his books? ((name at least three: Jewish War, Antiquities of the Jews, Life, Against Apion

12.     About his “Life”: What does Josephus say about his ancestors? ((Father priest, mother royal blood))

13.     List parallels between Josephus account of his early life and Jesus life. ((Josephus in the temple at age 14; following a prophet in the desert; studies with Jewish sects))

14.     What are the names of the three “sects into which our nation is divided” given by Josephus? ((Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes)).

15.     What is the name of the emperor who took Josephus as prisoner of war? ((Vespasian))

Chariton: About Kallirhoe

1.                    Why is it plausible that Chariton’s romance was written by a woman? [women are not flat characters, recently discovered titel: About Karrlirhoe]

2.                    List a few areas of relevance for the study of the NT [social history: role of women, role of slaves, contraceptives, trial, crucifixion, motive of the empty tomb, sexuality and marriage: being married to a slave 1Cor 5]

1.        What profession does Chariton have? (clerk to the attorney Athenagoras // secretary of a lawyer)

2.        Where does Chariton come from? (Aphrodisias)

3.        Where does the story begin and when? (Syracuse, 4th century BC)

  1. Metapher for sexual desire [fire]
  2. What does the term “intertext” mean? [no formal quotes, but allusions that are clear enough readers will pick up references to another text]
  3. Functions of intertext in the NT [NT events are understood as fulfillment of OT prophecies]

Gospel of Philip / Judas / Mary

  1. When was Gospel of Philip written? (see introduction on the handout).
  2. Name unusual rituals mentioned in GospPhil. (chism, bridal chamber).
  3. What form is characteristic for GospMary and GospJudas? (dialogue)
  4. What form is characteristic for GospThomas? (collection of sayings of Jesus)
  5. Who is Thomas in the GospThomas? (twin brother of Judas -- in canonical gospels that could make him the twin brother of Jesus. This is a popular assumption in extra canonical Thomas literature.)

Jesus' Letter to King Abgar

1.                    How was Abgar’s letter produced? Describe the technique of this forger. [it was put together from canonical quotes with the addition that Jesus sent Thaddaeus]

2.                    Who incorporated this letter of Jesus in his works? [Eusebius of Caesarea]

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