The Life and Teachings of Jesus

1. Why was Israel so full of unrest at the time of Jesus' birth?
2. What were some of the expectations of those who thought they lived in the "end times"?
3. Describe traditional teachings surrounding the birth of Jesus.
4. Why would Jesus not be well received by the Sadducees and the Jewish patriots?

Jesus in the New Testament Gospels

1. What are the Gospels and how does their viewpoint differ from a historical research report?
2. What were the basic beliefs and practices Jesus embraced as a Jew?
3. Explain Jesus' emphasis on love and its many forms.
4. Describe some other concerns and positions of Jesus.
5. How did Jesus measure up as a social activist?
6. Describe Jesus' views and actions on matters relating to the family.

The Two Great Commandments

1. What are the two Great Commandments that were so important to Jesus?
2. Describe some of the values Jesus had in mind when he used the phrase "Kingdom of God."
3. How might apocalypticism relate to the Kingdom of God in the teachings of Jesus?

Early Christian Beliefs and History

1. Describe the core of the early Christian message.
2. Describe the early Christian group in Jerusalem.

Paul and Pauline Christianity

1. Why is Paul sometimes called the cofounder of Christianity?
2. Discuss Paul's background and the events that led to his support of Jesus.
3. What was Paul's usual missionary technique?
4. Describe Paul's reasoning on his position about whether new converts should keep Jewish laws.
5. What were the ways Paul understood Jesus?

The New Testament: Its Structure and Artistry

1. Briefly describe the four parts of the New Testament and their content.
2. How does the New Testament mirror the structure of the Hebrew Bible?
3. What are the characteristics shared by Synoptic Gospels?
4. Highlight the features and intended audience of Matthew.
5. Why is the Gospel of Mark thought to be the oldest Gospel?
6. Characterize the Gospel of Luke and its likely intended audience.
7. What features of the Gospel of John distinguish it from the Synoptics?
8. List some of the symbols used in John to show aspects of Jesus and his meaning for the believer.
9. Why were the Epistles written and what are their general themes?
10. Discuss the characteristics of the Book of Revelation.

The Christian Canon

1. Discuss some of the ways the Christian Bible is read and interpreted by Christians.
2. Why is interpretation of the Christian Bible such a serious and controversial matter?

The Christian Worldview

1. In what ways was the early Christian worldview diverse?
2. How do Christians generally understand God?
3. Discuss the Christian view of Jesus Christ.
4. What are the functions of the Holy Spirit?
5. Explain the Holy Trinity.
6. Describe the Christian view of human life.
7. What are the general views on the afterlife?

The Early Spread of Christianity

1. What are the stages through which Christianity went in its growth?
2. Describe the basic features of church structure that were adopted.
3. Why is the bishop of Rome known as the pope?
4. What was Constantine's role in the development of Christianity?
5. Offer some examples of Roman influence on Western Christianity.
6. How might some of the Greek and Roman religions have influenced early Christianity?
7. List some of the gods or goddesses and the months and days of the week named after them.

Greek and Roman Religions and Early Christianity

1. Describe some of the layers of evolving Greco-Roman religion.
2. What traces of Greco-Roman religions are found in Western culture today?
3. Explain the purpose or function of some of the practices and ritual ceremonies of Greco-Roman religions.
4. Describe some of the key mystery religions and their parallels with early Christian practices or ideas.

Influences on Christianity at the End of the Roman Empire
Augustine

1. What are some of the details of Augustine's life?
2. How did Augustine influence the development of Christianity?

Benedict and the Monastic Ideal

1. What was the attraction of the monastic way of life?
2. How did the Benedictine order structure the lives of monks?

The Eastern Orthodox Church
Early Development
Describe the origins of the Orthodox branch of Christianity.

Eastern Orthodox Beliefs

1. What questions helped define and differentiate the Orthodox Church?
2. Describe the mystical tendency in the theology of Orthodoxy.
3. Discuss the role of icons.
4. What were some of the factors that led to the first great division within Christianity in 1054?
5. Broadly speaking, how do Western and Eastern Christianity differ?

Christianity in the Middle Ages
What were some of the reasons for the appeal and growth of Christianity?

Christian Mysticism

1. Describe the goals of mysticism in the West.
2. Who were some of the great Christian mystics?

The Crusades, the Inquisition, and the Founding of Religious Orders

1. Why were the crusades initiated?
2. What was the origin and purpose of the Inquisition?

The Late Middle Ages
What were the reasons for the feeling of pessimism in the Late Middle Ages?

The Protestant Reformation
Why was the Roman Church perhaps in more need of reform than the Eastern Church was?

Martin Luther
Describe Luther's basic position as a Reformer and why he succeeded where others failed.

Forms of Protestantism

1. What are the basic emphases of Protestant Christianity?
2. List the major branches or forms of Protestantism to emerge from the Reformation and some key defining characteristics.

The Development of Christianity Following the Protestant Reformation
The Catholic Reformation (Counter Reformation)

1. Describe the reforms initiated within Catholicism by the Council of Trent.
2. What are the elements stressed within Catholicism, partially as a response to the Protestant Reformation?

The International Spread of Christianity

1. How did Catholicism interact with native religions in the Americas?
2. Describe the role of Protestant churches in the lives of African Americans.

Nontraditional Christianity

1. Briefly relate some of the history and beliefs of the LDS, or Mormon Church.
2. Discuss the origin and beliefs of at least one other of the nontraditional forms of Christianity.

Christian Practice
Sacraments and Other Rituals

1. Discuss the meaning and practice of baptism.
2. How is the Lord's Supper practiced and what is its significance?
3. List other sacraments accepted by some churches.
4. Describe some devotional rituals, objects, and symbols along with their meaning.

The Christian Year

1. Discuss the focus of Christianity's two most important celebrations.
2. What events are commemorated during Holy Week?
3. Explain the color symbolism developed in Western Christianity still used in many churches and minister's clothing.

Devotion to Mary
Why do many Christians practice devotion to Mary?

Christianity and the Arts
Architecture

1. Discuss the chief features of either Romanesque or Gothic architecture.
2. How has the Protestant focus influenced church architecture?

Art
Characterize the style and subject matter of icons in Orthodoxy.

Music
Describe some of Christianity's contributions in music.

Christianity Faces the Modern World
The Challenges of Science and Secularism
How has the growth of science and secularism challenged Christianity?

Contemporary Influences and Developments

1. What are the goals in the ecumenical movement?
2. Describe some of the forms of Christian meditation.
3. What changes did Vatican II bring to the Catholic Church?
4. Discuss the legacy of Pope John Paul II.
5. Describe the developments in evangelical denominations.
6. What are the features of Christian fundamentalism and what are some of their political goals?
7. What challenges and changes has feminism brought to Christianity?