Old Testament -Exam 1 MS GY
Which of the following passages of Scripture is the fundamental affirmation of monotheism for both Jews and Christians? a. Deuteronomy 6:4 - "Hear, oh Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One." b. John 1:1 - "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God..." c. Psalm 19:1 - "The heavens declare the glory of God..." d. Psalm 100:5 - "For the Lord is good, His mercy everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations"
a. Deuteronomy 6:4 - "Hear, oh Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One."
What is the significance of the divine names as they appear in Genesis 1 and 2? a. Elohim, the name indicating the majestic and sovereign Being, appears in chapter 1 describing the creation of the universe and Yahweh, which is the name signifying personal covenant relationship, appears with Elohim in chapter 2 b. Elohim, meaning the singular monotheistic God, is used together with Yahweh in both chapters 1 and 2, tying together the creation of the universe with the personal covenant God c. The name God Almighty appears only at the end of Genesis 2, just before the serpent begins his temptation of Eve d. God and Lord are used in alternate verses in chapters 1 and 2 to indicate the two separate sources from which this poetic section was taken
a. Elohim, the name indicating the majestic and sovereign Being, appears in chapter 1 describing the creation of the universe and Yahweh, which is the name signifying personal covenant relationship, appears with Elohim in chapter 2
Which of the following names is an extra-biblical parallel to Noah and why was Gilgamesh seeking this individual? a. Enkidu - because he was his lost friend b. Ea - because he was the god of the visible created order c. Utnapishtim - because he had gained immortality and Gilgamesh sought the same d. El-Hadad - because he was the god of storm and Gilgamesh begged him to call off the flood e. none of the above
a. Enkidu - because he was his lost friend
Which of the following is the best definition of sovereignty? a. God's all-encompassing control over every aspect of the universe, seen and unseen, past, present and future, and perfect ability to accomplish His good purposes, carrying out His will and promises and working through the course of human history b. the affirmation that there is only one God c. God's choice, before the foundations of the world, to rescue individual persons from their utterly fallen and helpless condition in sin and guilt and to make them holy and blameless as adopted children to the praise of His glory d. God's provision of payment on behalf of those who are His subjects in order to buy them back from their condition of enslavement
a. God's all-encompassing control over every aspect of the universe, seen and unseen, past, present and future, and perfect ability to accomplish His good purposes, carrying out His will and promises and working through the course of human history
Which of the following is the best definition of the theological concept of general revelation? a. God's invisible attributes conveyed and made clear through nature as we observe the created order b. the gradual awakening of insight in individual believers as they are prompted by the Holy Spirit c. divine character and will made manifest in the Scriptures d. God's clear calling and election
a. God's invisible attributes conveyed and made clear through nature as we observe the created order
The punishment pronounced regarding Eve contains a striking parallel to a. God's warning to Cain when God said sin "desires to have you but you must master it" b. the punishment that Adam would undergo which would involve loneliness c. the animal sacrifices that would eventually be offered by God's covenant people where blood would be shed d. none of the above
a. God's warning to Cain when God said sin "desires to have you but you must master it"
2. What New Testament passage is one of the most important bases for our understanding of the doctrine of general or natural revelation? a. Romans 1:18-20 b. Romans 8:28-39 c. Hebrews 11:17-19 d. 2 Peter 1:19-21 E. none of the above
a. Romans 1:18-20
The primary importance of 2 Timothy 3:16 is its emphasis on a. Scriptures being God-breathed and profitable for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness b. the continuity of the covenant as it is fulfilled by the sacrifice of Jesus and His atoning work on our behalf c. the central role of the Holy Spirit in inspiring the Word of God d. the witness that the human conscience bears to the presence of a universal moral "compass"
a. Scriptures being God-breathed and profitable for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness
Which of the following is not in the Rift Valley? a. Shechem b. the Sea of Salt c. the Jordan River d. the Sea of Galilee e. all of the above are in the Rift Valley
a. Shechem
Which of the following is outside the Fertile Crescent? a. Sinai peninsula b. Tigris River c. Aram d. Euphrates River e. all are part of the Fertile Crescent
a. Sinai peninsula
4. What are the two great "barriers" that funnel traffic through the land bridge on which God would plant His people? a. The Arabian Desert and the Mediterranean Sea b. The land masses of Egypt and Anatolia c. The Tigris and Euphrates rivers d. the Sinai peninsula and the Nile delta e. none of the above pairs is correct
a. The Arabian Desert and the Mediterranean Sea
Which of the following is the best description of the relationship of the First Testament to its wider cultural context? a. The literature of the cultures that surrounded Israel provides an essential backdrop for the study of the First Testament because God chose to reveal Himself in the cultural context of the Ancient Near East and therefore, we will find parallels with the Bible in literary forms and social structures even though the theological intent in the Scriptures is unique. b. The literary materials that we find in both Egypt and Mesopotamia are indispensable because they indicate the sources from which most of the First Testament is drawn. c. Because there are very few areas of correspondence between the biblical text and the writings that have been discovered in Babylon, Egypt and the Hittite empire, we can easily bypass those writings in our quest for the interpretations of the Bible and instead develop the many connections between materials from Greek culture. d. Because the biblical text is divinely inspired revelation, we ought not study anything outside of its pages.
a. The literature of the cultures that surrounded Israel provides an essential backdrop for the study of the First Testament because God chose to reveal Himself in the cultural context of the Ancient Near East and therefore, we will find parallels with the Bible in literary forms and social structures even though the theological intent in the Scriptures is unique.
Which of the following statements best articulates the doctrine of inspiration? a. a special act of the Holy Spirit by which He guided the writers of Scripture so that their words should convey the thoughts He wished conveyed, should bear a proper relationship to the thoughts in the rest of Scripture, and should be infallible in thought, fact, doctrine and judgment b. a process whereby the very words of Scripture were dictated to the human authors c. the enriching of the human spirit so that the writers of Scripture demonstrated a heightened sensitivity to the richness of human experience and its general search for "the divine" d. God's determination to reveal His power, majesty, and will, intellect, and emotional attributes by means of non-propositional, verbal utterances
a. a special act of the Holy Spirit by which He guided the writers of Scripture so that their words should convey the thoughts He wished conveyed, should bear a proper relationship to the thoughts in the rest of Scripture, and should be infallible in thought, fact, doctrine and judgment
What term is used to refer to the "rule of faith and practice"? a. canon b. cannon c. caliphate d. corsair e. none of the above
a. canon
What is the best understanding of the term "adumbration" as we have been using it in class? a. foreshadowing b. making complex issues simple c. revelation d. fair and just legislation e. none of the above
a. foreshadowing
God's responses to Eve and Adam indicate reversals in the entire fabric of the world as they knew it. What reversals were the focus of God's words to Eve? a. fulfilling the command to be fruitful and multiply would be accompanied by pain; the intimacy with the man would be torn apart b. even though they were in the presence of the tree of life, they would return to the dust of the ground in death c. their task of tending the fruitful creation would be frustrated by toiling amidst thorns d. her offspring, which would have been free from enmity and hostility, would now manifest hostility toward the seed of the serpent
a. fulfilling the command to be fruitful and multiply would be accompanied by pain; the intimacy with the man would be torn apart
The Hebrew phrase that represents Adam's words upon seeing Eve newly created suggests that a. he had waited a long time for this perfect complement to him b. she was no different in essence from the whole array of creatures that he had just named c. from the beginning, opposition and potential friction were built in to intimate human relationships d. that she too had the spirit of God breathed into her being e. none of the above
a. he had waited a long time for this perfect complement to him
What does Psalm 19 contribute to our understanding of God's revelation and our ability to understand it? a. it states that the heavens declare the glory of God and in some way, the sounds and words go out to the ends of the earth b. it indicates that humans are without excuse because the creation of the world makes known the divine attributes and power and humans have rejected them c. it states that the Holy Spirit carried along the writers of the First Testament d. it indicates that all human being have the gift of a conscience, helping us to discern right from wrong. e. none of the above
a. it states that the heavens declare the glory of God and in some way, the sounds and words go out to the ends of the earth
Of the variety of approaches to understanding the events of Genesis 1, the one generally labeled "progressive creationism" a. maintains that the created order is astronomically and geologically old and the Genesis 1 narrative expresses that in reading yom as a long, undefined period of time b. maintains that the created order is astronomically and geologically old and the Genesis 1 narrative has nothing to say with regard to the age of the earth since it is making a theological statement about the nature of God instead c. God created the universe within a literal, seven-day framework but gave every aspect of it apparent age so that it looks progressively older d. none of the above
a. maintains that the created order is astronomically and geologically old and the Genesis 1 narrative expresses that in reading yom as a long, undefined period of time
Of the variety of approaches to understanding the events of Genesis 1, the one suggesting that each "day" (yom) described in the text represents the time period during which God informed Moses about those events of creation while Moses was on Mt. Sinai is called a. revelatory day approach b. literal day approach c. theistic evolution d. progressive creationism e. none of the above
a. revelatory day approach
What primary features contribute to the agricultural productivity of the Fertile Crescent? a. the Tigris and Euphrates rivers along with the meteorological effects of the Mediterranean Sea and the desert to the east b. the Jordan river and the wells dug in the Negev region c. the great rivers of the Anatolian Plateau that flow south into Syria and Mesopotamia along with the Tigris and Euphrates rivers d. the mountains of Israel, the Jordan river, and the Sea of Galilee
a. the Tigris and Euphrates rivers along with the meteorological effects of the Mediterranean Sea and the desert to the east
What is the point of Jesus' words, specifically in John 14:26, to His band of followers as they were gathered around Him after the Last Supper? a. the promised Comforter whom Jesus would send, the Holy Spirit, would teach and remind them, thus affirming the reliability and truthfulness of the apostolic witness to Jesus as we find it in the New Testament b. the departure of Judas, the betrayer, was an example of how the ruler of this dark world would continually attempt to deceive them and they must be constantly on their guard against him c. they must love one another and love, in that context, meant affirmation of differing viewpoints in regard to the nature of God and humankind d. Jesus told them that He would die, rise again after three days, and then make the truth plain to them so that they could go forth and make disciples of all nations
a. the promised Comforter whom Jesus would send, the Holy Spirit, would teach and remind them, thus affirming the reliability and truthfulness of the apostolic witness to Jesus as we find it in the New Testament
What is the Shema? a. the daily recital of God's "great and precious promises" (II Peter 1:3-4) b. "Hear, O Israel, the Lord your God, the Lord is One" c. The reminder from I Cor 10 that "these things occurred as examples" that we might not sin as the Israelites did d. the second portion of the TaNaKh that deals with the historical and prophetic writings
b. "Hear, O Israel, the Lord your God, the Lord is One"
What does negev mean? a. hot and humid b. "dry" or "south" c. a plague of locusts d. "high" or "exalted" e. none of the above
b. "dry" or "south"
What region served as a "buffer" between Mesopotamia and the land that Israel would inherit? a. Sinai b. Aram/Syria c. Arabian Desert d. Negev e. none of the above
b. Aram/Syria
What is the name of the epic narrative about Utnapishtim who, along with his wife, survived a flood unleashed by the gods and became immortal? a. Atrahasis Epic b. Gilgamesh Epic c. "When on High..." d. Homer's Heroes e. none of the above
b. Gilgamesh Epic
4. In the Ancient Near Eastern creation narrative called the Enuma Elish, what was the name of the god who was given a double portion of divinity and who defeated the vicious Tiamat along with her monstrous serpents and dragons? a. Ea b. Marduk c. Gilgamesh d. Enlil e. none of the above
b. Marduk
What was the first city in the land to which Abram came? a. Bethel b. Shechem c. Jerusalem d. Gerar e. none of the above
b. Shechem
Who was the character in the Gilgamesh Epic who was given immortality because he survived the flood? a. Enkidu b. Utnapishtim c. Gilgamesh d. Enlil e. none of the above
b. Utnapishtim
Which of the following is the best statement regarding the similarities and contrasts between the Enuma Elish and the creation account in Genesis? a. Enuma Elish is a significant parallel to Genesis 1 because the activities of Ea, Apsu, and Tiamat unfold in the same specific pattern of seven days that we see in the biblical account even though they take place in the heavenly spheres b. While water is prominent in both accounts and there is a division between heavens and earth, the squabbling and murderous nature of the multiple gods involved in the Babylonian account is a far cry from Genesis c. Both accounts have a strong emphasis on monotheism and the primary difference lies in the fact that in the Enuma Elish we have a good deal more detail d. There are no similarities at all and the greatest contrasts lie in the number of gods involved in the Babylonian epic as opposed to only two in the biblical text - Yahweh and Elohim.
b. While water is prominent in both accounts and there is a division between heavens and earth, the squabbling and murderous nature of the multiple gods involved in the Babylonian account is a far cry from Genesis
Where is the negev located? a. to the east and south of the Rift Valley b. between the region south of the Dead Sea and the Mediterranean Sea c. in the central hill country d. just south of Galilee e. none of the above
b. between the region south of the Dead Sea and the Mediterranean Sea
Which theological term matches the following definition? a special act of the Holy Spirit by which He guided the writers of Scripture so that their words should convey the thoughts He wished conveyed, should bear a proper relationship to the thoughts in the rest of Scripture, and should be infallible in thought, fact, doctrine and judgment e. illumination b. divination c. revelation d. election e. none of the above
b. divination
The Hebrew phrase that describes Eve (a helper opposite him, ezer kenegdo) a. suggests that her status is intentionally within a hierarchy that sets her under the authority of Adam b. employs the same word (ezer) that is often used to characterize God in the psalms c. means that there was, from the beginning, opposition and potential friction within intimate human relationships d. really tells us nothing at all about the relationship between Adam and Eve
b. employs the same word (ezer) that is often used to characterize God in the psalms
Where in Israel do we see the most evident effects of the "rain shadow"? a. in the central hill country and the shephelah b. in the wilderness c. over the Sea of Galilee d. on the northern slopes of Upper Galilee
b. in the wilderness
Israel is called the "land between" because a. it arose as a significant historical power in between the height of the Assyrian and Babylonian empires b. it is situated on the land bridge between large power circles, it is between the sea and the desert, both of which function to provide rainfall and dew, and it was between rival and competing worldviews c. it was between two barren areas, the Sinai Peninsula and the Arabian Desert where God chose to reveal Torah d. it served as a "bridge" between those who carried on a pure worship of Yahweh and those surrounding Canaanites who were idolatrous
b. it is situated on the land bridge between large power circles, it is between the sea and the desert, both of which function to provide rainfall and dew, and it was between rival and competing worldviews
What was the "heresy of Marcion" and why does it matter? a. the New Testament was incomplete revelation and the Church erred in not adding the teachings of Gnostics; thus, we should be about the business of studying extra-biblical resources b. the New Testament, which teaches about a God of love, is superior to the Old Testament whose God is depicted as a cruel warrior; this represents a serious attack on the integrity of the First Testament c. the Old Testament was not considered divine revelation until after the time of Christ; we need to study early Church history really to understand how the Old Testament finally came to be accepted as a truthful witness to the Person of God d. Jesus was not fully human d. none of the above
b. the New Testament, which teaches about a God of love, is superior to the Old Testament whose God is depicted as a cruel warrior; this represents a serious attack on the integrity of the First Testament
What was the "ship of the desert"? a. the amphibious trireme b. the camel c. the horse and chariot d. the donkey-drawn galley e. none of the above
b. the camel
In the whole matter of understanding and appropriating something of the nature and will of God, what issue does Romans 2:12-15 address? a. all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God which we can know from nature b. the conscience plays a significant role in that it indicates that humans have moral standards that seem to be an integral part of being human c. even though we have all the natural phenomena such as the stars in the heavens and the earth with all its majesty of creation, humans have deliberately rejected the implications of that d. the Holy Spirit helps us when we do not know how to bring order and understanding to what we see in the world
b. the conscience plays a significant role in that it indicates that humans have moral standards that seem to be an integral part of being human
What is the shephelah? a. an island off the western coast of Israel from which the Sea Peoples came b. the lowlands or foothills between the hill country and the coastal plain c. the mud-flats between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers d. the narrow, steep-walled entrance into the rock city of Petra e. none of the above
b. the lowlands or foothills between the hill country and the coastal plain
What was Anatolia? a. the remnant of a lost people group that lived in Mesopotamia b. the regional name for what we now know as the country of Turkey c. the area of higher elevation south of Egypt from which the Nile descends d. the plateau area between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers e. none of the above
b. the regional name for what we now know as the country of Turkey
According to the New Testament commentary in 1 John, Cain's murder of Abel a. demonstrated that he was ignorant of the proper sacrificial procedure b. was because he perceived that his own deeds were evil while Abel's were righteous c. was because he had not learned self-control and perseverance in godliness d. showed he had no faith
b. was because he perceived that his own deeds were evil while Abel's were righteous
When theologians use the terminology "divine communicative action," what major doctrine are they addressing and what are the implications of this expression? a. this has to do specifically with redemption and refers to God's bringing His people out of bondage and into freedom b. this expression addresses revelation and conveys the idea that the words of Scripture both convey the truth about God's actions and are themselves "active" c. "divine communicative action" refers to creation and indicates that God's Spirit was present in the creative process d. theologians use this term to talk about the doctrine of salvation and the focus is on Jesus as the Way, the Truth and the Life e. none of the above
c. "divine communicative action" refers to creation and indicates that God's Spirit was present in the creative process
15. Which of the following large land structures was inhabited during the period of the First Testament primarily by Hittites (as well as Hurrians)? a. Egypt b. Mesopotamia c. Anatolia d. Sinai e. none of the above
c. Anatolia
2. Why is Israel called the "testing ground of faith"? a. It was where "our father Abraham's" faith was tested b. The Israelites were called to this land because of its rich abundance of resources just to see if they would continue to remember the Lord in spite of their plenty c. It is precariously situated on the land bridge between large power circles and its agricultural productivity (and thus economic security) is dependent on sometimes marginal amounts of rainfall and dew d. Jesus called it the "testing ground of faith" when he challenged His disciples to be "true Israelites"
c. It is precariously situated on the land bridge between large power circles and its agricultural productivity (and thus economic security) is dependent on sometimes marginal amounts of rainfall and dew
Why is the land of Israel called a "testing ground of faith?" a. It was the place where God gave the Torah which demanded obedience b. The Israelites were called to this land because of its rich abundance of resources just to see if they would continue to remember the Lord in spite of their plenty c. It is precariously situated on the land bridge between large power circles and its agricultural productivity (and thus economic security) is dependent on sometimes marginal amounts of rainfall and dew d. It really is not a testing ground of faith because the main places the Israelites' faith was tested were in Egypt and Babylon
c. It is precariously situated on the land bridge between large power circles and its agricultural productivity (and thus economic security) is dependent on sometimes marginal amounts of rainfall and dew
Why are the Nuzi archives valuable in the study of First Testament? a. They a. they describe the military encounters between the nomadic peoples in Mesopotamia and explain how it was that Abraham and Sarah came to leave that area b. They give us the basis of the chronology for the second millennium BCE c. The documents contribute to our understanding of social structure and practices in the ancient near east d. We learn much about burial and funeral practices in the ancient near east e. None of the above
c. The documents contribute to our understanding of social structure and practices in the ancient near east
Why are the Nuzi archives valuable in the study of First Testament? a. They describe the movement of the Amorite peoples and how they came to inhabit the region where Abraham and Sarah would settle once they arrived in the land of Canaan. b. They contain parallel stories to the Genesis narratives about Abraham's sending back to Aram for a wife for Isaac and Jacob's returning to the same area for his wives c. They contribute to our better understanding of Genesis narratives that have to do with adoption d. We learn much about burial and funeral practices in the ancient near east e. None of the above
c. They contribute to our better understanding of Genesis narratives that have to do with adoption
Which of the following cities is not in Mesopotamia? a. Nineveh b. Mari c. Ugarit d. Haran e. all are in Mesopotamia
c. Ugarit
Which of the following is not included in the "triad" of crops that defines agricultural blessings in the biblical world view? a. grains b. oil c. dates d. new wine
c. dates
What is an accurate definition of revelation? a. God's invisible attributes conveyed and made clear through nature as we observe the created order b. the gradual awakening of insight in individual believers as they are prompted by the Holy Spirit c. divine self-disclosure that unveils otherwise unknowable truth and calls forth a response d. God's clear calling and election
c. divine self-disclosure that unveils otherwise unknowable truth and calls forth a response
Why are the early and latter rains considered a particular blessing (cf. Deut 11)? a. because they occur early in the morning and late in the afternoon, they soften up the soil in Israel sufficiently for planting but do not keep workers from the fields b. the "normal" rainy season in the Land is from March to August but these rains extend this season well into September c. in a country where rainfall can be marginal, having rains come in late September/ October and last until March and April helps the agriculture in the Land d. these came in response to the morning and evening prayers in the synagogue e. none of the above
c. in a country where rainfall can be marginal, having rains come in late September/ October and last until March and April helps the agriculture in the Land
Which of the following statements is not true of the Hebrew word for "day" (yom)? a. it may refer to daylight as opposed to darkness b. it may be used with the Hebrew word "one" (ehad) to represent a time interval longer than 24 hours (Is 9:13 Hebrew) c. in the creation narrative of Genesis 1-2, it is used solely to refer to a 24-hour period d. all of the above are true
c. in the creation narrative of Genesis 1-2, it is used solely to refer to a 24-hour period
According to Dr. Wilson, the term "Gentile" a. should be used synonymously with "Christian" b. refers to non-Jews who have undergone ritual immersion and circumcision as they have converted to Judaism c. is used variously in the New Testament to refer both to non-Jews who have believed the Gospel message and to pagans d. has such unpleasant connotations that it should be dropped entirely e. None of the above views is representative of Dr. Wilson's text
c. is used variously in the New Testament to refer both to non-Jews who have believed the Gospel message and to pagans
From what basic meaning does the word "canon" come and why is that significant for our understanding of the canon of Scripture? a. it is derived from a word meaning "light" and indicates that the light of the truth is embedded in this text b. it comes from a word related to "discern" and means that the Scripture helps us discern between truth and falsehood as we learn to walk with the Lord c. it comes from a word meaning "reed" or "measuring stick" and came to represent both the criteria by which we determine which books should be considered sacred and our own rule of faith and practice as we read it in the sacred text d. it is related to a Greek word for philosophical speculation and refers to something we really ought to avoid e. none of the above
c. it comes from a word meaning "reed" or "measuring stick" and came to represent both the criteria by which we determine which books should be considered sacred and our own rule of faith and practice as we read it in the sacred text
What is the TaNaKh? a. it is the books outside the Christian Bible that are sacred for Jews b. it includes both First and New Testaments but adds in the Apocrypha c. it is the Hebrew Bible as Jews refer to it - Torah, Nevi'im, and Ketuvim d. It stands for Torah and Near eastern texts and Kingdom records e. none of the above
c. it is the Hebrew Bible as Jews refer to it - Torah, Nevi'im, and Ketuvim
What term is used to refer to the "rule of faith and practice"? a. Revelation b. Judaizing c. kavanah d. Dualism e. none of the above
c. kavanah
The four pillars of Judaism do not include a. Torah b. circumcision c. land d. people e. all of the above are considered pillars
c. land
What doctrine is clearly taught in Psalm 19? a. salvation through atonement b. redemption in the payment of a price c. revelation in nature and Scripture d. creation and sustaining of the universe e. none of the above
c. revelation in nature and Scripture
What very essential doctrine is taught in 2 Tim 3:14-17 and 2 Peter 1:19-21? a. revelation of God's divine power and attributes in the beauty and power of nature b. election of those who will be God's children prior to their birth c. the God-breathed nature of Scripture by means of the Holy Spirit d. salvation through faith in the shed blood of Jesus e. none of the above
c. the God-breathed nature of Scripture by means of the Holy Spirit
What is the shephelah? a. the foothills on the western slopes of the central mountain range in Israel b. the hot east wind that dries the land and creates a wilderness c. the region of the Jordan Valley that is the lowest point on earth d. the Hebrew word meaning famine e. none of the above
c. the region of the Jordan Valley that is the lowest point on earth
Which of the following statements is not true of the hill country? a. the soils and terracing contributed to the potential for excellent crops of grapes and olives b. there were springs as a result of the limestone bedrock c. the region was easily accessed and therefore open to foreign and cosmopolitan influences d. this is where the majority of the Israelite settlements were located in the First Testament period e. all of the above are true
c. the region was easily accessed and therefore open to foreign and cosmopolitan influences
What poetic pattern is evident in the text of Genesis 1? a. The words for light, Word, Spirit, and goodness alternate throughout the chapter, creating a rhythm representing God's most evident characteristics b. there is rhyme throughout the chapter, culminating in the final blessing pronounced on God's creation of humankind that rhymes with "heavens and earth" in the beginning c. there is a balance and correspondence between the events of days one and four, two and five, three and six, culminating in the rest of day seven d. each line starts with successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet, symbolizing the development of complexity of creation e. none of the above
c. there is a balance and correspondence between the events of days one and four, two and five, three and six, culminating in the rest of day seven
When a number of biblical scholars use the term "myth" with regard to Genesis 1-11, they mean to imply that a. these narratives are not true in any sense of the word b. these stories can be comfortably compared with narratives from other cultures that involve the activities of numerous gods and goddesses c. these narrative are not factually true but do convey profound and important truths about human existence d. no one ever refers to Genesis 1-11 as myth
c. these narrative are not factually true but do convey profound and important truths about human existence
What was the focus of God's word to Adam following their disobedience? a. Adam would be forced to wander away from human habitation b. Adam would experience constant fear and enmity in the presence of serpents c. toil, sweat, and anxiety would characterize Adam's relationship to the ground from which he had come d. Adam would have the hope of restoration by the mediating presence of the cherubim
c. toil, sweat, and anxiety would characterize Adam's relationship to the ground from which he had come
Which of the following biblical passages most clearly indicates that it is God who breathes the Word and it is profitable for teaching, rebuke, and training in righteousness? a. Romans 1:18-21 b. John 14:26 c. 2 Peter 1:19-21 d. 2 Timothy 3:16 e. none of the above
d. 2 Timothy 3:16
Which of the following cities is located in northwestern Mesopotamia? a. Ur b. Shechem c. Sumer d. Haran e. none of the above
d. Haran
The name of the major route that passes through the Land of the Bible as it connects Egypt and political entities in Mesopotamia is a. King's Highway b. way of the patriarchs c. Nile causeway d. International Coastal Highway e. none of the above
d. International Coastal Highway
What is the name of the river that is in the Rift Valley between the Dead Sea and the Sea of Galilee? a. Yarkon b. Euphrates c. Nile d. Jordan e. none of the above
d. Jordan
In the Enuma Elish text, which of the following deities was victorious over Tiamat and was therefore enthroned as head of the divine assembly? a. Enlil b. Apsu c. Utnapishtim d. Marduk e. none of the above
d. Marduk
Which of the rivers noted below was considered a deity by the people in the surrounding culture because it regularly flooded, bringing rich silt on to the flood plain that enhanced agricultural productivity? a. Tigris b. Jordan c. Euphrates d. Nile e. none of the above
d. Nile
Which of the following were not among the neighboring people groups that God used from time to time to bring chastisement to His people? a. Edomites b. Moabites c. Ammonites d. Philistines e. all of the above were
d. Philistines
Which of the following statements is not true in regard to the "triad" of crops that defines agricultural blessings in the biblical world view? a. Grain, new wine, oil appear in the order in which they are harvested b. in antiquity people got approximately 50% of daily calories from bread so it was essential that sufficient grain was ground each day c. Wine provided iron in diet since there was not meat on regular basis; it was also a water purifier d. The expression "land flowing with milk and honey" is symbolic of the wine and bread that were staples in the Israelites' diet e. Olive oil was used for light, medicinal purposes, food, and fuel
d. The expression "land flowing with milk and honey" is symbolic of the wine and bread that were staples in the Israelites' diet
Which of the following blessings for covenant obedience is a focus on God's promises in Deuteronomy 11? a. the promise of a coming Redeemer b. freedom from the oppression of enemies attacking from the north, crossing the western seas, and crossing the southern boundaries c. wisdom from the Lord, God of the covenant, to prosper in the land and ultimately to build the place for God's Name to dwell d. abundant rainfall, starting with early rains and continuing into the latter rains, so that the land would produce the triad of crops
d. abundant rainfall, starting with early rains and continuing into the latter rains, so that the land would produce the triad of crops
What does special revelation contribute to our understanding of God's self-disclosure that we cannot learn from general revelation? a. it communicates otherwise unknowable truths about God, His divine power and majesty b. we learn from special revelation truths regarding God's character and will, the meaning of human existence, the nature of the spiritual realm c. it explains the challenging chronological issues about the age and extent of the created order d. all of the above
d. all of the above
Which of the following does not appear in the narrative in Genesis 3 as an expression of the mercy of God to Adam and Eve? a. providing coverings of skin for them, which was both protective and symbolic of God's keeping them "in the family" b. promising redemption by means of the serpent's "head" being crushed c. banishing them from the garden so they could not eat from the tree of life and live forever as sinful creatures d. all of the above are evident in the narrative of Genesis 3
d. all of the above are evident in the narrative of Genesis 3
What was possibly the significance of God's providing coverings of skin for Adam and Eve following their disobedience? a. this represented their separation from God and from each other b. because clothing symbolized inheritance in the wider Ancient Near East, these coverings indicated that God intended to keep them "in the family" in spite of their rejection of His Word c. these coverings meant that God was promising that they would experience redemption through the seed of Eve d. clothing meant preparation for war and hostility and this indicated their need for self-defense from this point onward
d. clothing meant preparation for war and hostility and this indicated their need for self-defense from this point onward
How do we know that the serpent in the temptation narrative was Satan? a. the text of Genesis states that fact b. Jesus identified the serpent as Satan when He was tempted in the wilderness c. Isaiah stated that the serpent was used by Satan to deceive Eve d. in the book of Revelation, a scene is described in which Michael and his angels engaged in war in heaven and the great dragon, the ancient serpent, was hurled down e. none of the above
d. in the book of Revelation, a scene is described in which Michael and his angels engaged in war in heaven and the great dragon, the ancient serpent, was hurled down
The curse on the serpent a. declared that it would be banned from the garden forever b. removed its ability to speak and lead any more of the creation astray c. was fulfilled when Jesus said that He saw Satan fall like lightning d. included a promise that Eve's offspring would strike the head of the serpent, an allusion to the finished work of Christ
d. included a promise that Eve's offspring would strike the head of the serpent, an allusion to the finished work of Christ
Who was Marcion and why is it important? a. she was a long-neglected prophetic voice that has given scholars a much fuller picture of the wider cultural picture during the time period we read about in Genesis b. Marcion raised the important question regarding the inspiration of the New Testament, stating that all that was needed in order to know God was the Hebrew Bible c. he played a significant role in gathering together Jewish sources for the study of the Bible d. none of the above
d. none of the above
The primary sources of water for most of Israel in the First Testament period were a. the Jordan River and the Dead Sea b. three major rivers west of the central mountain range c. the snow melt on Mt Hermon which is channeled to all points south d. rainfall and dew which permeate the ground and result in springs and a water table to which wells can be dug e. none of the above
d. rainfall and dew which permeate the ground and result in springs and a water table to which wells can be dug
What precious commodity, used in conjunction with ritual, was transported via camel caravans across the desert from the Arabian peninsula? a. olive oil b. coffee c. cedar d. spices e. none of the above
d. spices
Which of the following is not in the Rift Valley as it cuts through the land? a. the Sea of Galilee b. the Sea of Salt c. the Jordan River d. the Negev e. all of the above are
d. the Negev
Which of the following statements is not true of the Rift Valley? a. as it cuts between Israel and Transjordan, significant parts of it are well below sea level b. the Dead Sea (or Sea of Salt) is part of the Rift Valley c. the Jordan Valley is north of the Sea of Salt in the Rift Valley d. the Rift Valley serves as a natural geo-political boundary between Anatolia and Israel e. all of the above are true
d. the Rift Valley serves as a natural geo-political boundary between Anatolia and Israel
How does the framework theory interpret the days of Genesis? a. creation is construed as the framework for the divine Temple in the heavens b. each yom is a 24-hour period and these are separated by extensive and undefined time periods c. the first three days are the spheres (or frameworks) into which their corresponding inhabitants are placed during days 4-6 d. the days are unimportant until we arrive at the seventh day when the whole framework of the universe has been completed e. none of the above
d. the days are unimportant until we arrive at the seventh day when the whole framework of the universe has been completed
When Dr. Wilson refers to the "Athens vs. Jerusalem" issue, he is addressing a. the primary writing location of the Apostle Paul when he composed the epistles that form the basis of Christian theology b. the controversy between paganism as evident in the Greek polytheism and monotheism as we encounter it in the First Testament c. the problem that geographers have trying to decide whether ancient maps had Jerusalem or Athens as the center of their "world" d. the debated extent to which the New Testament is founded upon Hellenistic or Hebraic thought patterns
d. the debated extent to which the New Testament is founded upon Hellenistic or Hebraic thought patterns
According to Dr. Wilson, the root of the olive tree into which Gentiles have been grafted (Romans 11) is a. Jesus Christ b. the Church c. the prophets d. the patriarchs e. none of the above
d. the patriarchs
What was not part of the scenario as humankind was tempted by and succumbed to the Evil One? a. the words of God's prohibition were distorted by both the serpent and Eve b. the serpent appealed to human pride and the potential for self-advancement c. Adam was not present which is why there was not a curse pronounced directly against him d. the serpent said they would not die
d. the serpent said they would not die
Which of the following was not a purpose for which humans were created? a. to work with and tend the creation b. to be fruitful, multiply and subdue the earth c. to eventually be the vehicle, as the image-bearer of God, for the incarnation of God as Redeemer d. to be like gods, knowing good and evil
d. to be like gods, knowing good and evil
Which of the following cities is not in Mesopotamia? a. Nineveh b. Mari c. Babylon d. Haran e. all are in Mesopotamia
e. all are in Mesopotamia
Which of the following is not part of our understanding of sovereignty as it refers to God? a. all-encompassing control over every aspect of the universe, seen and unseen, past, present and future b. omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence c. perfectly able to accomplish His good purposes, carrying out His will and promises and working through the course of human history d. displayed in His initial work of creation, His providential sustaining of creation, and the redemption He has effected to restore fallen humankind e. all of the above are included in our understanding of God's sovereignty
e. all of the above are included in our understanding of God's sovereignty
12. Which of the following statements is not true of the Nile River? a. it flows from south to north b. it was considered a major deity for Egypt because of its contribution to the fertility of the land c. it was turbulent and not easily navigated; thus all traffic had to cross the land d. it floods regularly in the late summer and fall, carrying silt that is deposited on the flood plain e. all of the above are true
e. all of the above are true
Which of the following is not true of the "covenant" (b'rith) as it appears in the First Testament? a. it has a form that is parallel to the Hittite suzerainty treaties b. it detailed stipulations or obligations of the parties to the covenant c. it was often accompanied by a sign d. it can refer to relationships between God and humankind as well as between two human parties e. all of the above are true
e. all of the above are true
Which of the following statements is not true of the coastal plain? a. the major international route passed through the "land between" on the coastal plain b. the most cosmopolitan and largest cities arose on the coastal plain c. a significant section of it was bounded on the east side by the shephelah which is a Hebrew term referring to the foothills on the western slopes of the central mountain range d. most of the Israelites settlements were in the region of the coastal plain once they conquered the land e. all of the above are true
e. all of the above are true
What archives provide helpful cultural background materials to the adoption and inheritance stories in Genesis? a. Mari texts b. Letters from Hazor c. Enumerated Elishes d. Jerusalem Archives e. none of the above
e. none of the above
What is the Enuma Elish and why is it a helpful text? a. it recounts the list of books in the First Testament canon and, because it comes from the second century BC, it is the first evidence of God's people recognizing their sacred text b. it is a creation epic preserved in ancient Mesopotamia that gives us a picture of the wider cultural perceptions regarding the activities of the gods and sets the Genesis narrative in a class by itself c. it is the Babylonian narrative of the flood that indicates the overwhelming waters wiped out all of human existence and turned the mountains into piles of rubble thus corroborating the biblical account of the flood d. it is a story about how Marduk came to be recognized as the only god, thus demonstrating the first instance of monotheism e. none of the above
e. none of the above
In the Gilgamesh Epic, which of the following themes does (do) not have counterparts in Genesis? a. the divine being(s) smelling the aroma of sacrifice b. the command to build an ark c. sending out a dove and a raven d. a divine plan to exterminate humankind e. they all do
e. they all do
Dr. Wilson enumerates a number of valuable literary sources outside the First Testament that help us understand our Jewish roots. Which of the following is not among those sources? a. Dead Sea Scrolls b. rabbinic texts c. the Apocrypha d. Egyptian Book of the Dead e. Targums f. all of the above serve that purpose
f. all of the above serve that purpose
When Eve and Adam entered willfully into disobedience, the fabric of their lives was torn apart. Which of the following was not one of the stated results? a. perception of nakedness and personal insecurity b. fear of God and alienation c. being fruitful and multiplying accompanied by pain d. tending the ground would be done alone as opposed to in community e. humans would return to dust death f. all of the above were
f. all of the above were
Which of the following biblical passages does (or do) not specifically contribute to our understanding of general revelation? a. Psalm 73 which confirms our perception that the wicked do indeed often prosper while the righteous suffer b. Psalm 19 which states that the heavens declare the glory of God c. Romans 1:18-21 which indicates that humans are without excuse because the creation of the world makes known the divine attributes and power d. 2 Peter 1:19-21 which states that the Holy Spirit carried along the writers of the First Testament e. Romans 2:12-15 which indicates that all human being have the gift of a conscience, helping us to discern right from wrong. f. a and b g. c and e h. a and d i. b, d and e
h. a and d Psalm 73 2 Peter 1:19-21
