Topics to review for exam

IMPORTANT NOTE: This is a generic exam review sheet that is a permanent part of the web page. The syllabus, however, changes slightly from semester to semester. You are therefore advised to use the specific review sheet for your class/section, which can be found on Blackboard.

 

The literature of the Bible covers a vast sweep of history as well as of different types of literature. This class attempts to survey that literature and at least introduce you to some of the major issues in studying and interpreting the Bible. With such a vast subject matter, you may wonder which subjects you need to focus on for the examination. This sheet is designed to help you. The following list designates the specific aspects of the Biblical books studied that may appear on the final exam:

 

  1. Israel’s creation stories and their relation to those of other nations.
  2. Sources believed to underlie the Pentateuch.
  3. The historical questions relating to the exodus from Egypt and conquest of Canaan.
  4. Views of kingship in the Hebrew Bible.
  5. The impact of the exile on Israel’s literature and thought.
  6. Prophecy and the prophetic literature (especially comparison of the message and emphases of different prophetic books).
  7. Apocalyptic literature (especially Daniel and Revelation).
  8. Wisdom literature (especially the book of Job).
  9. Matthew, Mark & Luke (especially the ‘Synoptic Problem’, that is, the relationship between these three Gospels).
  10. The Gospel of John (background, distinctive emphases, and historicity)
  11. Paul’s letters, the Gentile mission and ‘works of the Law’
  12. The relationship between history and theology in examples of Biblical literature.
  13. Scholarly methods of study of the Bible

 

Within the broad headings above there will be at least one question from each category. There will also be one question involving comment on set texts that you have been asked to read this semester. You must choose 2 (two) questions to answer from among those set. The only qualification which must be added is that you may not comment on a passage that involves treating the same questions that you have also answered in one of the essay questions (so, for example, if you answer an essay-type question relating to the creation stories, then you could not also comment on a set text from Genesis 1).

 

I hope this class will be enjoyable as well as educational, so if you have any other questions or concerns, please do let me know.