Test your knowledge of the Bible

Sponsored link.

Gary Burgeis a Professor of New Testament at Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL. He gives a test on biblical knowledge annually to his first year students. Even though almost all of his students come from Fundamentalist or other Evangelical denominations, he finds that they average only 50 to 55% on this test. He suggests that the result show that we are now living in a post-Christian era.

1. Which of the following names is not a book in the Bible books is not in the Bible?
   a. Nehimiah; b. Jude; c. Hezekiah; d. Joel; e. Song of Solomon
2. Who was the first king of Israel?
   a. Saul; b. Solomon; c. David; d. Samuel; e. Moses
3. In their later years, Sarah and Abraham had a son who they called "laughter." What was his actual name?
   a. Samuel; b. Moses; c. Isaac; d. Jacob; e. Ishmael
4. Who of the following is not a prophet from the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament)
   a. Elisha; b. Elijah; c. Aaron; d. Isaiah; e. Joel
5. List the following in the order with which they appear in the Bible: a. the giving of the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai; b. Creation of the world; c. the fall of humanity; d. the Exodus from Egypt; e. the flood of Noah
6. Sort the following characters in chronological order: a. Moses; b. Adam; c. David; d. Solomon; e. Abraham
7. Which of these is the name of a book in the Christian Scriptures (New Testament) a. Judges; b. Malachi; c. Deuteronomy; d. Hebrews; e. Isaiah
8. Who wrote the book of Philemon? a. Philemon; b. Paul; c. Peter; d. Onesimus; e. John
9. According to the Bible, who of these was one of Jesus’ 12 apostles? a. Paul; b. Matthew; c. Luke; d. Timothy; e. Silas
10. Who was the man who Pontius Pilate released during Jesus’ trial? a. Barnabas; b. Peter; c. Silas; d. Barabbas; e. Paul
11. How many temptations did Jesus endure in the wilderness? a. one; b. two; c. three; d. four; e. five
12. Sort the following events in chronological order: a. The Holy Spirit descends on believers at Pentecost; b. John has a vision on the Island of Patmos; c. Jesus is baptized in the Jordan River; d. Paul, Barnabas and Mark are sent out on a mission by the church; e. Peter denies that he knows Jesus.
13. Sort the following events in chronological order: a. The arrest of Paul in Jerusalem; b. Mary’s response to the Angel; c. Nicodemus’ conversation about rebirth; d. Peter’s denial of Jesus.
14. In which book of the Bible are the most commonly cited version of the Ten Commandments? a. Isaiah; b. Exodus; c. Genesis; d. Numbers; e. Matthew
15. In which book is the first Passover described?
    a. Genesis; b. Numbers; c. 1 Samuel; d. Exodus; e. 2 Kings
16. In which book is the prayer "Create in me a clean heart, O God" found?
    a. Proverbs; b. Ezekiel; c. Psalms; d. Deuteronomy; e. Luke
17. In which book is the Lord’s Prayer found?
    a. Matthew; b. Acts; c. Ephesians; d. Malachi; e. Isaiah
18. In which book is the phrase "in the beginning was the Word" found?
    a. Acts; b. Isaiah; c. John; d. Leviticus; e. Romans
19. Which of the following is the son of Elizabeth and Zechariah? a. Jesus; b. Samuel; c. Paul; d. Timothy; e. John the Baptist
20. Near which holy day was Jesus crucified?
    a. Passover; b. Hannukah; c. Tabernacles; d. Sabbath; e. Purim

Answers (don't peek):

1. c; 2. a; 3. c; 4 . c; 5. b, c, e, d, a; 6. b, e, a, c, d; 7. d; 8. b; 9. b; 10. d; 11. c; 12. c, e, a, d, b; 13. b, c, d, a; 14. b; 15. d; 16. c; 17. a; 18. c, 19. e; 20. a

Multiply the number of correct responses by 5 to get your percentage of correct answers.

(The coordinator of this web site, an Agnostic, had a 90% mark.)

References used:

1. David Alan Black, "Take the Bible Test!," Covenant News, 2005-MAY-13, at: http://www.covenantnews.com/

Copyright © 2005 by Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
Originally posted: 2005-MAY-13
Latest update: 2005-MAY-13
Author: B.A. Robinson, based on a test of Professor Gary Burgeis