REL/JSP 302 The Temple & The Dead Sea Scrolls

Final Exam Questions

THREE (3) of the following questions will appear on the exam, and you will be expected to choose TWO (2) to answer. Prepare your answers in advance to all four questions. I suggest you develop short outlines of your answers that can easily be memorized. Notes or other aides may NOT be used during the test.

1. Describe apocalyptic literature and explain its appearance and popularity in Second Temple Judaism.

2. Compare and contrast the identity issues at stake in the Samaritan-Jewish schism of the 4th-2nd centuries BCE and the Jewish-Christian schism of the late 1st century CE.

3. Describe the life and literary work of Philo. Why was his approach to Jewish thought not continued in late antique Jewish culture?

4. Describe the life and literary work of Josephus. Evaluate his credibility as a historical source for late Second Temple Judaism.

5. Describe the historical development of the idea of "scripture" in Second Temple Judaism. Cite examples of texts that illustrate the various stages and/or features that you describe.