Deck 10: Formation of the New Testament Canon

Question 1

The four genres of the New Testament are:

A) Gospels, Poetry, Epistles, and Apocalypse
B) Poetry, History, Law, and Apocalypse
C) Gospels, Law, Epistles, and Poetry
D) Gospels, History, Epistles, and Apocalypse.

Answer 1

D

Question 2

Why is a collection of authoritative texts called a "canon"?

A) It is to be used as a weapon against the enemies of the faith
B) The texts endure for all times
C) The word "canon" comes from an ancient Greek term which means "measuring rod"

Answer 2

C

Question 3

The list of books included in the New Testament has remained basically the same for roughly

A) 2,000 years
B) 1,500 years
C) 1,000 years
D) 500 years.

Answer 3

B

Question 4

Which of the following were important for the formation of a New Testament canon?

A) To clarify who was right and who was wrong
B) To know what theology was worth saving
C) For missionary activity
D) All of the above.

Question 5

Which of the following were not used as criteria for determining New Testament canonicity?

A) Written by Jesus or the apostles
B) Inspired by God
C) Orthodox teaching
D) Widely accepted among the churches.

Question 6

What does apostolic authority mean in connection with biblical authorship?

A) Written by an apostle or an associate of an apostle who would have first-hand knowledge of Jesus and his teachings
B) Written by Jesus or the apostles
C) Message of the text has authority only for the apostolic generation
D) The authority of the apostles extended to non-biblical texts.

Question 7

The earliest example of an extant canon is:

A) The collection of Irenaeus
B) The Muratorian Canon
C) The list of Athanasius
D) The Marcion Bible.

Question 8

What was the earliest list of New Testament books as they appear in the Bible today?

A) The collection of Irenaeus
B) The Muratorian Canon
C) The list of Athanasius
D) The Marcion Bible.

Question 9

What is the Pseudopigrapha?

A) Books which were clearly rejected by the Church Fathers as being canonical
B) Jewish texts which were included in Greek versions of the Old Testament
C) Books that were undisputed by the Church Fathers as being canonical
D) Books that disputed but ultimately accepted as being canonical.

Question 10

The closing of the canon refers to what?

A) The earliest manuscripts have been sealed off from public access
B) Suggestions for new canonical books must go through a rigorous selection process
C) The church no longer considers adding books to the canon
D) The Dead Sea Scrolls have been added to the collection of the canonical lists.