STUDY GUIDE FOR ADDITIONAL READING ASSIGNMENT 1

John Gresham Machen, The Literature and History of New Testament Times, chapters 1-13, pages 1-71.

Answer the following review questions:

 

Chapter 1

1.1  The English word "testament" comes from a Latin word. The equivalent Greek word as used in the Greek Bible usually should be translated as ________.

1.2 What is Machen's view of how we should treat the New Testament?

1.3 What are the four divisions of the New Testament?

Chapter 2

2.1 What was the role of Herod the Great in relation to the Roman empire?

2.2 What was the religion of the Roman empire at the time of the New Testament?

Chapter 3

3.1 What language and culture was dominant in the Mediterranean world at the time of the New Testament?

3.2 What city was the center of learning and culture in the Mediterranean world at the time of the New Testament?

3.3 In what language or languages was the Old Testament available at the time of the New Testament?

3.4 What were papyri?

3.5 What do ancient papyri teach us about the language in which the New Testament was written?

Chapter 4

4.1 What is the name of the first century Jewish historian that give us information about Judaism at the time of the N.T?

4.2 What is the Mishnah?

4.3 What is the name of the Syrian who tried to stamp out the Jewish religion by force (174-164 B.C.)?

4.4 What is the name given to the Jews who rebelled against the Syrians and ruled the Jewish nation for about 100 years?

4.5 What empire took control of the Jewish nation in 67 B.C.?

4.6 In what year after Christ did the Romans conquer Jerusalem and destroy the temple?

4.7 What is the name of the Jewish party that was strict with regard to the law and that opposed foreign influence?

4.8 What was the language spoken by the Palestinian Jews at the time of Christ?

4.9 If a man desired to make his way in the world in any public capacity or in trade in Palestine during the time of Christ, he would be obliged to learn what language?

Chapter 5

5.1 What place was often the best for early Christian missionaries like Paul to find the most promising audience?

5.2 What is the Septuagint?

5.3 How did each of the following social events at the time of the New Testament help prepare the way for the preaching of the gospel?

a. Roman dominion

b. Influence of Greek culture

c. Dispersion of the Jews

Chapter 6

6.1 Machen says, "The appeal to ________ was absolutely central in the presentation of the gospel."

6.2 Were the Gentile "God-fearers," as well as the Jews, acquainted with the Messianic hope?

6.3 The Jews were waiting for a human king in the line of _______ who would conquer the enemies of Israel.

Chapter 7

7.1 Who wrote the Book of Acts?

7.2 Machen suggests that the Book of Acts was written around the year ____ A.D.

7.3 Does Machen believe that the author of the Book of Acts used the Pauline epistles as a source of information?

7.4 What is the purpose of the Book of Acts?

Chapter 8

8.1 What are the two aspects of the life of Jesus that are especially highlighted in the New Testament?

Chapter 9

9.1 Machen says, "The dominant note in the early chapters of The Acts is the note of ______."

9.2 According to Machen, what was the gift of tongues?

9.3 After the notable sermon of Peter, which was spoken in explanation of the gift of tongues, how many people were converted?

Chapter 10

10.1 The word "martyr" is simply the Greek word for ______.

10.2 What was the result of the persecution of the early Christians?

Chapter 11

11.1 According to Machen, did the conversion of Cornelius have an immediate impact on the Church with regard to their attitude toward Gentiles?

11.2 Who preached the gospel to the Ethiopian eunuch?

11.3 Who was Simon Magus?

Chapter 12

12.1 What kind of childhood education did Paul probably have?

12.2 Was Paul was a master of the Greek language?

12.3 Describe the spiritual life of Paul before his conversion.

Chapter 13

13.1 Does the author believe that there are contradictions between the Book of Acts and the Pauline Epistles?

13.2 Describe Antioch at the time of the New Testament.

13.3 The dominant language of Antioch was ______.