SCTR24 - Quizzes & Final Exam

"Christian Origins: Luke/Acts"
SCTR 24 – Spring 2007

Fr. Felix Just, S.J.
Dept. of Religious Studies, Santa Clara University

Study Guides for Short Quizzes & Final Exam

Note: You do not need to know the artists or artworks presented by other students, but you DO need detailed understanding of the Lukan texts. You also ARE responsible for the OT & NT passages that are related to the texts of Luke or Acts. All information can be found in Byrne's The Hospitality of God, in Aland's Synopsis of the Four Gospels, on webpages linked on our course website, and/or in the text or footnotes of the Bible itself.

Final Exam – Tuesday, June 12, 1:30–4:30 p.m. in our regular classroom

Preparation:
- Materials: Bring your own Bible, Aland's Synopsis of the Four Gospels, and one large "Blue Book"(available in the SCU Bookstore).
- Write your name on the front cover of the Blue Book only; do not write your name or any personal identification anywhere on the inside.
- For use on the essays, you should prepare one page of hand-written notes, in bulleted format (not complete sentences or full essays).
- You are strongly encouraged to prepare/study together in groups, although each student must hand-write his or her own page of notes.
Part I - Objective (no books; no notes; ca. 30 minutes): similar to our previous quizzes both in content (names, dates, definitions, etc.) and in format (multiple choice, fill in blanks, short answers, etc.)

Review not only the previous quizzes, but all the rest of the study questions from the six quizzes we had this quarter (see below).
See especially the Lukan columns of the Four Gospels Charts and the Luke: Overview and Acts: Overview webpages.
See also the other webpages linked in the right-hand column of our online course schedule, and our two textbooks, of course!
When you finish Part I, raise your hand; the professor will collect it, and give you Part II of the exam.

Part II - Essays (open-Bible, open-Aland; you should prepare one side of one page of hand-written, bulleted notes in advance):
- One shorter essay (ca. 30 minutes):
  1. What is the role and significance of the apostle Peter in Luke/Acts? That is, how is Peter portrayed, and why?
  2. What is the role and significance of the apostle Paul in Luke/Acts? That is, how is Paul portrayed, and why?
  3. What is the role and significance of women in Luke/Acts? That is, how are female disciples/Christians portrayed, and why?
- One longer essay (ca. 60 minutes):
  1. Describe the "Christology" of Luke/Acts. That is, how does Luke/Acts portray Jesus (titles, teachings, actions, etc.)?
  2. Describe the "Pneumatology" of Luke/Acts. That is, what is the role and significance of the Holy Spirit in Luke/Acts?
  3. Describe the "Discipleship" of Luke/Acts. That is, what does Luke/Acts say about how Christians should live and act?
- Prepare all of the above topics; but each version of the final exam will include only one shorter essay and one longer essay (randomly chosen)
  - Your answers should be written in standard essay format, but appropriately scaled for an exam (a very brief introduction with a clear thesis statement; a well-structured body with multiple paragraphs; a very brief conclusion that actually concludes something, not just repeating the intro).
  - Your essays should include plenty of specific biblical references (in proper format) to illustrate and back up your assertions.
  - You may include short biblical quotations in your essays, but do not waste time citing long scripture passages; be concise!
  - Really good essays will answer the appropriate questions with reference to other NT works (how is Luke different from Matthew, Mark, etc.) and some OT books, as appropriate (esp. when Luke directly quotes previous biblical texts).

PREVIOUS QUIZZES:

Quiz # 1 – Friday, April 13 - Preparatory Issues

From all the webpages linked in the right-hand column of our Online Course Schedule, focus on the ones highlighted in bold.

Quiz # 2 – Monday, April 23 – On Luke 1:1—6:11 and related passages:

CHARACTERS: Know who the following biblical characters are and what roles they play in Luke's Gospel:

Theophilus, Angel Gabriel, Zechariah & Elizabeth, John (the Baptist), Mary & Joseph, Jesus, Shepherds & Angels, Simeon & Anna, key characters in the Genealogy (esp. Joseph, David, Abraham, Adam), the prophet Isaiah, the Devil, the Holy Spirit, the prophet Elijah & the widow of Zarephath, the prophet Elisha & the leper Naaman the Syrian, Simon Peter.

TEXTS and EVENTS: Know which passages of Luke's Gospel and/or events in Jesus' life are referred to with the following key terms:

Gospel Prologue (1:1-4); Annunciation (Gabriel's message to Mary, 1:26-38); Visitation (Mary's visit to Elizabeth; 1:39-56); Magnificat (Mary's Hymn of Praise. 1:46-55); Nativity (Birth of Jesus, 2:1-7); Circumcision (of Jesus, 2:21); Purification of Mary & Presentation of Jesus (in the Temple of Jerusalem, 2:22-38); Baptism (of Jesus, 3:21-22); Genealogy (Ancestry of Jesus, from Joseph to Adam, 3:23-38); Temptation (of Jesus in the Wilderness, 4:1-13); Inaugural Sermon (first event of Jesus' public ministry, in the Synagogue at Nazareth, 4:16-30). NOTE: You do NOT need to memorize chapter & verse numbers; they are provided here just so that you can look them up, in case you need help remembering which event is referred to with which title.

GEOGRAPHY: Know where the following regions and cities are located, and which major events in Luke 1–6 take place in these locales: Israel/Palestine, Galilee (esp. Nazareth), Judea (esp. Bethlehem & Jerusalem), Jordan (river/valley).

WORDS: Be able to define and distinguish the following terms: disciple vs. apostle, prophet/prophecy, Sabbath, Gospel, salvation history, promise & fulfillment, synagogue vs. Temple.

CHRISTOLOGY: Know the differing meanings of the following titles, and how they are used in Luke 1–6: Christ, Messiah, Son of Man, Son of God, Prophet, Savior, and Emmanuel; also know the origin and meaning of the name "Jesus"; and how else he is called: Jesus of Nazareth, Jesus the son of Joseph, Jesus the Carpenter (see my "Christological Titles" webpage) .

FOCUS TEXTS / OTHER QUESTIONS:

What is the meaning and purpose of Luke's Prologue (1:1-4)? What does Luke say that he intends to do in this Gospel?
What is the overall structure of the Infancy Narrative in Luke 1–2? How is it different from Matthew 1–2? How does Luke parallel the stories surrounding the births of John the Baptist and Jesus? How does Luke parallel Jesus' birth and youth with that of Samuel (in 1 Sam 1–2)?
How is Luke's presentation of the Baptism of Jesus (Luke 3) different from Mark's or Matthew's versions?
What is the main point of the Temptation of Jesus (Luke 4:1-13), and how is Luke's version different from Mark and Matthew?
What is the main message of Jesus' Inaugural Sermon in Luke 4:14-30? How is this related to the OT prophets (esp. Isa 61; 1 Kings 17; 2 Kings 5)?
How is the Call of Simon and his companions (Luke 5:1-11) different from the loose parallels in Mark 1:16-20?
What are the Sabbath Regulations of the OT, and how do Jesus' actions and words in Luke 5–6 show Jesus' attitude toward the Sabbath?

Quiz # 3 – Wednesday, May 2 – On Luke 6:12—14:35 and related passages:

CHARACTERS and GROUPS: Know who the following biblical characters are and what roles they play in Luke's Gospel:

Widow of Nain, Martha & Mary (of Bethany), Pharisees, Sadducees, Herodians, Scribes, Priests, Levites, Judeans, Samaritans, Galileans, Gentiles, Satan, Devil, Beelzebul, Prophets (esp. Elijah & Elisha), John the Baptist, Peter, James & John.

TEXTS and EVENTS: Know which passages of Luke's Gospel and/or events in Jesus' life are referred to with the following key terms:

Sermon on the Plain (6:17-49); Beatitudes & Woes (6:20b-26); Love of Enemies (6:27-36); Feeding of Five Thousand (9:10b-17); Luke's Great Omission (cf. Mark 6:45-8:26, missing after Luke 9:17); Peter's Confession (9:18-21); Transfiguration of Jesus (9:28-36); Journey to Jerusalem (9:51–19:27); Hostility of the Samaritans (9:52-56); Mission of the Seventy (10:1-12); Parable of the Good Samaritan (10:29-37); Lord's Prayer (11:1-4); Beelzebul Controversy (11:14-23); Healing of a Crippled Woman (13:10-17). NOTE: You do NOT need to memorize chapter & verse numbers; they are provided here just so that you can look them up, in case you need help remembering which event is referred to with which title.

MIRACLE NARRATIVES:

What are the four main categories of miracle narratives in the Gospels?
What are the five main stages in a typical healing narrative?
Define and differentiate: demon & demoniac? exorcism & exorcist?
What verbs are most distinctive in exorcism narratives?

FOCUS TEXTS / OTHER QUESTIONS:

How is Luke's Sermon on the Plain (6:17-49) related to Matthew's Sermon on the Mount? (overall similarities & differences?)
What are the four Beatitudes in Luke 6:20b-23? How are they related to Matthew's Beatitudes? And how to Luke's Woes (4:24-26)?
How does Luke compare John the Baptist and Jesus to each other, and to the prophets Elijah & Elisha (from 1 & 2 Kings)?
Describe the plot & characters of the parable of the Good Samaritan (10:29-37). Why does Jesus tell this story? What is its context and its main message (cf. 10:25-28)?
What are the main points Jesus makes in teaching about prayer in Luke 10:38–11:13?
What is the Beelzebul Controversy (11:14-23) all about? How is it related to Jesus' exorcisms?

Quiz # 4 – Friday, May 11 – On Luke 15:1—23:56 and related passages:

LITERARY/HISTORICAL ISSUES: Know the basic facts surrounding the composition of the Four Gospels, especially (but not only) Luke.

Be able to answer all the "W" questions (who, to whom, what, where, when, why) as summarized in the first table of the Four Gospel Charts webpage and handout you received near the beginning of this quarter.

CHARACTERS and GROUPS: Know who the following biblical characters are and what roles they play in Luke's Gospel:

Lost (Prodigal) Son; Lazarus; Zacchaeus; Chief Priests, Scribes & Elders; Judas Iscariot; Simon Peter; Maid in the High Priest's Courtyard; Pontius Pilate; Herod Antipas (the Tetrarch, son of King Herod); Caesar; Barabbas; Simon of Cyrene; Characters at the Crucifixion (Repentant Thief, Roman Centurion; Women from Galilee); Joseph of Arimathea

TEXTS and EVENTS: Know which passages of Luke's Gospel and/or events in Jesus' life are referred to with the following key terms:

Parables of Lost Sheep, Lost Coin, and Lost/Prodigal Son (15:1-32); Parable of Rich Man and Lazarus (16:19-31); Cleansing of Ten Lepers (17:11-19; incl. one Samaritan); Parable of Widow & Unjust Judge (18:1-8); Pharisee & Publican/Tax Collector (18:9-14); Zacchaeus (19:1-10); Jesus Approaches & Weeps over Jerusalem (19:28-44); Eschatological Discourse (21:5-38); Preparing for Passover (22:1-14); Last Supper (22:15-38); Jesus' Prayer & Arrest in Gethsemane (22:39-53); Peter's Denial of Jesus (22:31-34, 56-62); Judas' Betrayal of Jesus (22:3-6, 21-23, 47-48); Trial before Pilate (23:1-5, 13-25); Trial before Herod Antipas (23:23:6-12); Road to Golgotha / Way of the Cross (23:26-32); Crucifixion & Death of Jesus (23:33-49); Two Thieves (23:39-43; esp. the Repentant Thief)
NOTE: You do NOT need to memorize chapter & verse numbers; they are provided here just so that you can look them up, in case you need help remembering which event is meant with each title.

FOCUS TEXTS / OTHER QUESTIONS:

What is a "Parable"? (suggestion: memorize and understand C.H. Dodd's definition)
- What are some of the best-known parables of Jesus found only in Luke's Gospel?
- What is the "strange" or "unusual" element in each of these parables?
- How are the three "Lost" Parables (15:1-32) related to each other? Who are the characters? What are the strange elements? What is the main message?
What are the definitions of "Apocalypse" and "Eschatology"? How are these terms related to, but different from each other?
- How is the Eschatological Discourse in Luke 21 different from the parallel discourses in Mark and Matthew?
- How is the Lukan discourse related to the historical events of 70 AD?
How is the Last Supper significantly different in Luke than in Mark or Matthew?
- How is the Last Supper of Jesus and his disciples related to the Jewish Feasts of Passover and Unleavened Bread?
- How is the Last Supper related to Jesus' earlier meals with his disciples? ...and to later meals of the early Christians?
- What is said and done during the Last Supper in Luke's version that takes place earlier in the other Gospels?
- What is the difference between Peter's "Denial" and Judas' "Betrayal" of Jesus? How are these incidents related to the Last Supper?
How are Luke's accounts of Jesus' juridical Trials different from Mark's or Matthew's versions?
- What characters are involved? What charges are made by the Jewish leaders? How does Pontius Pilate respond differently in Luke?
How does Luke differ from Mark and Matthew in their respective accounts of the Crucifixion of Jesus?
- What elements/episodes are added by Luke, and what is their significance (esp. along the road to Golgotha? and the Repentant Thief)?

Quiz # 5 – Monday, May 21 – On Luke 24:1-53 and Acts 1:1—5:11 and related passages:

CHARACTERS and GROUPS: Know who the following biblical characters are and what roles they play in Luke and Acts:

Luke: Mary Magdalene & other women at Jesus' tomb; Cleopas & an anonymous disciple on the road to Emmaus; Simon Peter (24:12 & 24:34);
Acts: Theophilus; Judas Iscariot; Matthias; Joel; Peter & John; Sanhedrin (esp. Annas & Caiaphas, the high/chief priests); Barnabas; Ananias & Sapphira

TEXTS and EVENTS: Know which passages of Luke & Acts, and/or events in the life of Jesus and the early Church are referred to with the following terms:

The Empty Tomb Narrative (Luke 24:1-12); the Risen Jesus' Appearance to Two Disciples on the Road to Emmaus (24:13-35); Jesus' Appearance to the Disciples in Jerusalem (24:36-49); Jesus' Ascension to Heaven (Luke 24:50-53 & Acts 1:6-12);
The Literary Prologue of Acts (1:1-5); Choosing Judas' Successor (1:15-26); Pentecost, or the Descent of the Holy Spirit (2:1-13);. Peter's Pentecost Sermon (2:14-41); Summary of Life in the Early Christian Community (2:42-47, esp. 2:42); Peter & John Heal a Crippled Beggar in the Jerusalem Temple (3:1-26); Two Role Models of Christian Sharing: positive example: Barnabas (4:36-37); negative example: Ananias & Sapphira (5:1-11); NOTE: You do NOT need to memorize chapter & verse numbers; they are provided here just so that you can look them up, in case you need help remembering which event is referred to with which title.

FOCUS TEXTS / OTHER QUESTIONS:

Define & distinguish: Resurrection vs. Resuscitation vs. Reanimation vs. Reincarnation
- What's the difference between the "Resurrection of the Body" and the "Immortality of the Soul"?
What are the four types of resurrection-related materials in the New Testament?

Which resurrection narratives does Luke share with the other Gospels, and which stories are unique to Luke?

What is the main point of the "Ascension" Narrative? How is it related to the coming of the Holy Spirit?
- What are the main similarities and differences between the two Ascension narratives (Luke 24 and Acts 1)?
Why do the disciples choose a new 12th apostle to replace Judas (in Acts 1)? What are the criteria they use for this selection?
- Compare how the apostles are portrayed in Acts (esp. Peter & John in Acts 3—4) with how Jesus is portrayed in Luke's Gospel.
What is "Pentecost"? What are the similarities & differences between the Christian feast and the Jewish feast of the same name?
- In what three main ways is the Holy Spirit concretely (visibly & audibly) manifest at Pentecost?
- What is the role of the Holy Spirit throughout the Acts of the Apostles?
What is the structure of Peter's Pentecost Sermon? How do the listeners respond at the end? What does Luke claim is the result?
- How does Peter's citation of Joel 3 (in Acts 2) compare with Jesus' citation of Isaiah 61 (in Luke 4)?
What four characteristics of the early believers are highlighted in Acts 2:42-47 (esp. 2:42)?
- Which of these four characteristics is emphasized even more in Acts 4:32-35?
- What role do Barnabas and Ananias & Sapphira play in illustrating this message?

Quiz # 6 – Monday, June 4 – On Acts 5:12—20:38 and related passages:

CHARACTERS and GROUPS: Know who the following biblical characters are and what roles they play in Luke:

Simon Peter & other Apostles; the Jewish Sanhedrin in Jerusalem; Seven Deacons (esp. Stephen & Philip); Simon the Magician; the Ethiopian Eunuch; the Centurion Cornelius; King Herod Agrippa II; Barnabas & Saul/Paul & John Mark; James of Jerusalem; Silas/Silvanus & Timothy; Prisca/Priscilla & Aquila; Gallio, the proconsul of Achaia; Apollos; Eutychus

TEXTS and EVENTS: Know which passages of Luke's Gospel and/or events in Jesus' life are referred to with the following key terms:

Miracles performed by Peter (5:15; 9:32-43); the Election of Seven Hellenists as Assistants/Deacons (6:1-7); the Discourse & Martyrdom of Stephen in Jerusalem (6:8–7:60); the Preaching of Philip in Samaria (encountering Simon the Magician) & to the Ethiopian Eunuch (8:4-40); the Conversion of Saul on the road to Damascus (9:1-19); Peter's Vision & the Conversion of Cornelius in Caesarea (10:1–11:18); King Herod (Agrippa II)'s persecution of the apostles & his death (12:1-24); First Mission of Barnabas & Paul to Cyprus & Southern Galatia (Acts 13:1–14:28); Lycaonians worship Barnabas & Paul at Lystra (14:8-18); the COUNCIL of JERUSALEM (15:1-29); Paul and Barnabas Split (15:36-45); Mission of Paul, Silas & Timothy to Macedonia & Achaia, esp. Corinth (16:1–18:18); Paul's Trial before the Proconsul Gallio in Corinth (18:12-17); Paul departs Corinth & settles in Ephesus (18:18–19:40); the Silversmith's Riot in Ephesus (19:23-40); Paul & companions leave Ephesus and travel towards Jerusalem (20:1-38); Paul restores Euthycus to Life in Troas (20:7-12). NOTE: As usual, you do NOT need to memorize chapter & verse numbers; they are provided here just so that you can look them up, in case you need help remembering which event is referred to with which title.

FOCUS TEXTS / OTHER QUESTIONS:

Similarities between the Apostles (in Acts) and Jesus (in Luke):
- Describe several ways how the portrayal of the apostles (esp. Peter & John) in Acts is similar to the portrayal of Jesus in Luke.
- Describe several ways how the portrayal of Paul in the 2nd half of Acts is similar to the portrayal of other apostles in the 1st half of Acts.
The Conversion of Gentiles to Christianity:
- Why were Jewish Christians at first reluctant to accept Gentile converts into their communities?
- What was the role and influence of Peter's vision in the story of the conversion of Cornelius (Acts 10–11)?
- What is the importance of the Christian community in Syrian Antioch? (Acts 11–15; not to be confused with Pisidian Antioch in Acts 13:13-51)
The Council of Jerusalem:
- What was the issue/problem? What was the agreement/solution? What is stated in the resulting letter?
- Who are the main characters involved? What were the roles of Paul & Barnabas? Peter? James?
- What are some important differences between Luke's account (in Acts 15) and Paul's own account (in Galatians 2)?
The Life of Paul:
- Name the five main "phases" of Paul's Life (one pre-Christian phase, and four Christian phases)? What are the approximate dates of each?
- In which phase and why are the following cities important in Paul's ministry: Damascus, Antioch, Corinth, Ephesus?
- What was Paul's relationship with Barnabas, and how did this change over the years?
- How does Paul's relationship with other apostles (like Peter or Apollos) differ from his relationship with his own converts (like Timothy or the Corinthians)?

Other Webpages for SCTR 24 - "Christian Origins: Luke/Acts"

Return to the Homepage of Felix Just, S.J.

Winged Ox: Symbol of Luke, by Walter Gast