Theology Exam Multiple Choice

To understand what a biblical author meant, it is important to consider the circumstances in which the scriptures were written and handed down. This includes understanding the historical context, cultural background, and the intended audience of the biblical texts. By doing so, we can gain insights into the author's intentions, the message they were trying to convey, and the relevance of the scriptures in their original context. This contextual understanding is crucial for interpreting and applying the teachings of the Bible accurately.

The correct answer is "all of the above" because throughout their history, the Israelites were indeed ruled by the Persians, Greeks, and Romans. The Persians conquered the Israelites in the 6th century BCE, followed by the Greeks under Alexander the Great in the 4th century BCE. Eventually, the Romans took control of the region in the 1st century BCE and ruled over the Israelites during the time of Jesus. Therefore, all three civilizations had a significant impact on the Israelites' political and cultural landscape.

The Catholic teaching on Judaism is that Christians are forever linked with the Jewish people and that God's covenant and special relationship with the Jewish people still stands. This means that Catholics believe in the continuity and importance of the Jewish faith and recognize the significance of the Jewish people in God's plan. Therefore, both options "b" and "c" are correct as they both reflect the Catholic teaching on Judaism.

Samson dies by causing the collapse of the Philistines temple, which ultimately kills him. This event occurs as a result of his immense strength and his desire for revenge against the Philistines who had captured and tormented him. By pushing against the pillars of the temple, Samson brings down the entire structure, leading to his own demise along with the destruction of his enemies.

The correct answer is "both b and c." This means that the New Testament is both the fulfillment of the Old Testament and cannot be understood without it. The New Testament builds upon the teachings and prophecies of the Old Testament, providing a deeper understanding and fulfillment of its teachings. Therefore, to fully comprehend the New Testament, one must have knowledge of the Old Testament.

The correct answer is the beginning of the Israelites' life in the promised land. The Books of Joshua and Judges narrate the events that occurred after the Israelites crossed the Jordan River and entered Canaan, the land promised to them by God. These books describe the conquest of various cities and regions in Canaan under the leadership of Joshua, as well as the settlement and establishment of the twelve tribes of Israel in their allotted territories. They also depict the period of the judges, highlighting the Israelites' struggles and their relationship with God during this time.

The Deuteronomists might have listed Samson among the judges to marvel at the kind of people God uses to teach us, to boost the spirits of the exiles who needed to hear stories of when Israel was strong, and to remind the exiles of how their nation, though blessed, has become morally weak.

The correct answer is "all of the above". This means that Samson is described as being born of a barren woman, consecrated to God from birth, and not allowed to consume strong drink. These descriptions highlight Samson's unique and special status, as well as the restrictions and responsibilities placed upon him from the beginning of his life.

The Israelites worshipped Yahweh as their only God, but they also saw him as a tribal god, meaning they believed he belonged exclusively to their own tribe. Additionally, they believed that other tribes had their own gods, indicating that they recognized the existence of other deities. Furthermore, the Israelites were convinced of Yahweh's power through miracles, which further solidified their belief in him. Therefore, all of the above statements are correct explanations for the Israelites' beliefs and worship of Yahweh.

The Deuteronomists provided hope for the future and helped the people of Israel turn the disaster of the exile into a time of transformation. They also helped them recognize that the Exile was not their fault. Therefore, the correct answer is both a and c.

The correct answer is both a and b. The book of Joshua repeatedly emphasizes that the Israelites' victories in conquering Canaan were not their own accomplishments, but rather a gift from God. It also states that God would remain with the Israelites as they fought for the promised land. Both of these themes are present throughout the book, highlighting the divine intervention and support that the Israelites received in their conquest.

The correct answer is "both b and c" because the statement mentions that Pharaoh had several plans to cut short the growth of the Israelites. The options "the Egyptians are to kill the sons of the Israelites" and "the midwives are to kill the sons of the Israelites" align with Pharaoh's plans to reduce the number of Israelite males and control their population. The other options are not mentioned in the given statement and are unrelated to Pharaoh's plans.

The purpose of the Joshua account is both theological and historical. It serves to demonstrate that God was with Joshua and that Canaan was a gift to the Israelites. The theological aspect highlights the divine intervention and guidance in the conquest of Canaan, emphasizing God's presence and support. The historical aspect provides a record of the events and the establishment of the Israelites in Canaan.

The correct answer is the turning of the river to blood. This is the first plague that Moses proclaims in the story of the ten plagues in the Bible. In this plague, Moses strikes the Nile River with his staff, turning the water into blood. This plague is significant because it demonstrates the power of God and serves as a warning to Pharaoh to let the Israelites go.

The correct answer is the Israelites ignoring God's law and rejecting God's love. This is supported by biblical accounts that describe how the Israelites repeatedly turned away from God, worshipped false idols, and disobeyed His commandments. As a result, God allowed the Babylonians to conquer and exile the Israelites as a punishment for their unfaithfulness. This period of exile served as a time of reflection and repentance for the Israelites.

The Book of Judges might better be called the Book of Deliverers because it primarily focuses on the deliverance of the Israelites from their enemies. It recounts the stories of various judges who were raised up by God to rescue the Israelites from oppression and establish peace in the land. The book highlights the cycle of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance that the Israelites went through during this time period. Therefore, the title "Book of Delivers" accurately reflects the main theme and content of the book.

The stories of brutal warfare in the book of Joshua are not intended to give us moral direction about war. This implies that the purpose of these stories is not to provide guidance or moral lessons regarding the conduct of war. Instead, they may serve other purposes such as historical documentation, religious narrative, or cultural significance.

The correct answer is Shepard located ancient manuscripts in some caves in Israel. This answer is supported by the fact that archaeologists discovered ancient scrolls in caves in Israel, which greatly helped scripture scholars in studying the Old Testament. The other options mentioned in the question, such as ancient parchments being dug up, scrolls found in Jordan, and scrolls found in a dry well, are not relevant to the discovery of ancient manuscripts in Israel. The mention of exploring the mines of Moria is unrelated and does not provide any information about the discovery of ancient manuscripts.

Before they were able to leave Egypt with Moses, the people had to buy new clothes. This is indicated by the phrase "buy new clothes (shopping trip :))" in the options.