Deck 1: The Texture of the Text of the New Testament

Question 1

Most ancient documents were produced for an elite minority, not for the general public.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

The New Testament documents were read aloud by lectors who were literate readers familiar with the document and read it to the congregation.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

The primary source of information in the Biblical world was oral communication, not written texts.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

Every English translation is already an interpretation of the Greek original text.

Question 5

An oral culture is a culture in which a large part of the communication takes place by written text.
Multiple Choice
Identify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.

Question 6

The most common writing material in the New Testament world was . . .

A) parchment.
B) papyrus.
C) clay tablets.
D) pressed onion skins.

Question 7

Approximately what percentage of people in the ancient world could read and write?

A) 10-20
B) 30-40
C) 40-60
D) 70-90

Question 8

An unrolled scroll containing the entire Gospel of Luke would measure about . . .

A) 3 feet.
B) 8 feet.
C) 20 feet.
D) 60 feet.

Question 9

Papyrus is . . .

A) vegetable matter.
B) animal skin.
C) hardened clay.
D) dried liver membrane.

Question 10

The primary reason that most ancient documents used a continuous flow of letters most likely was because it was . . .

A) faster to read.
B) more understandable to less educated people.
C) more entertaining.
D) more economical.

Question 11

Why were libraries in antiquity most likely loud places?

A) They were usually built next to gyms.
B) They were usually built next to restaurants.
C) Patrons frequently dropped the clay tablets.
D) Patrons almost always read out loud.

Question 12

The author describes the New Testament as . . .

A) a holy book.
B) a memoir.
C) a will.
D) a collection of Christian writings.

Question 13

This introductory textbook prioritizes . . .

A) the New Living Translation (NIV).
B) the Common English Bible (CEB).
C) the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).
D) the Greek New Testament.

Question 14

What holds pride of place as the single most influential book in all of history?

A) The Power of Positive Thinking
B) Think and Grow Rich
C) The Koran
D) The Bible

Question 15

In what sense does the author use the word "rhetoric" in this chapter?

A) hollow, insincere speech
B) persuasive speech
C) flowery speech
D) memorizable speech

Question 16

Why was oral communication the preferred medium in the ancient world? What significance does that have for our understanding of the New Testament?

Question 17

Explain the challenges that the writing process presented to authors in antiquity.

Question 18

Explain the challenges that the writing process presents to readers and interpreters.

Question 19

Assess the general value of translations of the New Testament texts