If you are looking for the beginning of the study for Eusebius’ Church History then you can go HERE for a brief introduction. At the bottom of the introduction you will find the links to each section of the study guide as it becomes available. If you would like to see the growing list of book studies available for free on this site you can go HERE. Enjoy!
Virtues/Vices/Great Ideas: (Find them in the Text)
Despotism, Light vs. Darkness, Depravity
Grammar Questions: (The Information of the Text)
According to Eusebius, in what manner was the apostle Peter put to death?
What opinion did Eusebius express concerning the two “epistles” bearing the name of Peter (i.e. 1 Peter and 2 Peter)?
According to Eusebius, Paul used the phrase “my gospel” to refer to what?
Who was reigning as Emperor of Rome during the siege of Jerusalem and who was the General leading the campaign?
How many people are reported to have taken refuge inside the walls of Jerusalem during the siege?
List three of the horrors that took place inside Jerusalem during the siege.
Whose prophecy was fulfilled by the siege of Jerusalem?
According to Eusebius, why did God wait 40 years between the crucifixion of Jesus and the destruction of Jerusalem?
Name two of the strange “portents” that Josephus says should have warned the Jews of the coming destruction of Jerusalem.
According to Eusebius, why are the books of Maccabees not counted as part of the Old Testament Scripture?
How well were the books of Josephus received by the Romans?
Logic Questions: (Interpreting, Comparing/Contrasting, Reasoning)
Eusebius discusses various books that have been proposed to be included in the canon of Scripture (see the end of Book 2.23 and also Book 3.3 and 3.9-3.10). He essentially puts various texts into one of three categories: accepted, disputed, or rejected. Based upon what you see him saying, what are some of the criteria he seems to be using to help determine which books belong in which category?
Josephus wrote, “Famine is truly the worst form of suffering and decency its greatest victim.” What did he mean by saying that decency is famine’s greatest victim?
Why did General Titus, after viewing the aftermath of the siege of Jerusalem, call on God “to witness that this was not his doing”?
What should we infer from the fact that the wicked men who were marauding around Jerusalem, killing and stealing food, were “stupefied” by the actions of Mary (the daughter of Eleazar)?
Why were those under 17 years of age (who survived the siege of Jerusalem) sold into slavery whereas those older were sent to die in arenas or to forced labor in Egypt?
What might have been meant by the voice which was heard saying “Let us leave this place” in the temple?
When Josephus proclaimed, concerning his people (the Jews), “our actions mirror our attitude to the Scriptures” what did he mean?
Rhetoric Questions: (The Analysis of Ideas in the Text)
In your understanding of the matter, what should ultimately determine whether a book should be counted as Sacred Scripture? Explain carefully why you think as you do about the matter.
Do you agree with Josephus’ claim that “famine is truly the worst form of suffering”? Why or why not?
Theological Analysis: (Sola Scriptura)
Read Matthew 24:15-28. In light of this text, what should we assume about the actions of Christians (contrasted with that of the Jews) in 70 A.D. when they saw the Romans marching upon Jerusalem?
Read Deuteronomy 28:15-68. How does this passage relate to what Eusebius tells us concerning the siege of Jerusalem?