Bible Quiz: Books - “CHRONOLOGY vs THEOLOGY” TRAP ROUND

 

Bible Quiz: Books - “CHRONOLOGY vs THEOLOGY” TRAP ROUND

(Each question forces you to decide whether the Bible is organizing material by time or by theological purpose. Answer exactly as instructed.)

 

Bible Quiz: Books - “CHRONOLOGY vs THEOLOGY” TRAP ROUND

 

🟥 SECTION A: WHAT HAPPENED FIRST?

(Chronology Trap — name the event or book that occurred FIRST in time)

 

1.

Which came first historically?

The call of Abram

The Tower of Babel

 

2.

Which book records events that happened earlier than most of Genesis?

(Hintless — name the book)

 

3.

Which happened first?

Israel asking for a king

The ministry of the judges ending

 

4.

Which prophet ministered earlier in history?

Isaiah

Jonah

 

5.

Which occurred first?

The Babylonian exile

The destruction of the Northern Kingdom (Israel)

 

🟧 SECTION B: THEOLOGY OVER TIME

(Theological Trap — books placed for meaning, not order)

 

6.

Why is John’s Gospel placed after Matthew, Mark, and Luke,

even though some of its material may reflect earlier traditions?

(Answer in one phrase: CHRONOLOGY or THEOLOGY?)

 

7.

Which book is placed immediately after the Gospels

even though Paul’s letters were written earlier?

 

8.

Why does Job appear after Esther in most English Bibles

even though Job likely lived before Moses?

(Answer: chronological reason or theological/literary reason?)

 

9.

Which book is placed last in the Old Testament

not because it was written last chronologically,

but because it closes prophetic expectation?

 

10.

Why does 1–2 Chronicles repeat material from Samuel–Kings

yet appear later in the Old Testament?

(Answer briefly: historical order OR theological emphasis?)

 

🟨 SECTION C: MIXED TRAPS (VERY HARD)

 

11.

Paul’s earliest letter appears after later letters in the New Testament.

Name the letter.

 

12.

Which Gospel records Jesus cleansing the Temple early,

while others place it late — revealing theology shaping chronology?

 

13.

Which prophet is placed among the Minor Prophets

despite being chronologically earlier than some Major Prophets?

 

14.

Which book records the fall of Jerusalem twice

— once as prophecy and once as history — across two different books?

(Name BOTH books)

 

15.

Which book was likely written earlier than many events it records,

yet is placed last due to its eschatological theology?

 

ANSWER KEY

 

1.                Tower of Babel (Genesis 11 precedes Genesis 12)

 

2.                Job

 

3.                Israel asking for a king (1 Samuel 8)

 

4.                Jonah (8th century BC, before Isaiah)

 

5.                Destruction of the Northern Kingdom (722 BC)

 

6.                THEOLOGY

 

7.                Acts

 

8.                Theological / literary reason

 

9.                Malachi

 

10.          Theological emphasis

 

11.          1 Thessalonians

 

12.          John

 

13.          Jonah

 

14.          Jeremiah & 2 Kings

 

15.          Revelation

 

🧠 WHY THIS ROUND BREAKS CONFIDENT READERS

Exposes assumed timelines

Forces distinction between event order and editorial intent

Tests canon awareness, not just verse recall

Separates readers from interpreters