View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. __________ was far more recognized and abundant than previously thought, especially in the years following Jesus' death.
(a) Judaism.
(b) Christianity.
(c) Islam.
(d) Gnosticism.

2. Who is one of the followers who did not recognize Jesus when he reappeared after the resurrection?
(a) Jeramiah.
(b) Simon.
(c) Judas.
(d) Mary Magdalene.

3. The ___________ of the original Greek gospels by various scholars enhanced the controversy around them.
(a) Ink.
(b) Papyrus.
(c) Dating.
(d) Quality.

4. A letter to the Bishop of Rome stated the difference between ________ and priesthood, defining the reality of the Roman church.
(a) Laity.
(b) Monotheism.
(c) Satan worship.
(d) Gnosticism.

5. There is some speculation that there are actually two ____________ involved in the story of Mary and Jesus.
(a) Gods.
(b) Births.
(c) Virgins.
(d) Mothers.

Short Answer Questions

1. John, emotionally distraught over the crucifixion, announces the Trinity as the Father, Mother and __________.

2. Theologians from many Western religions do contend that God is beyond ____________, according to Pagels.

3. The redefinition of who sees Jesus first is a tradition which first indicated that the direction of the _________ more than the importance of the doctrine.

4. Which of the three principals in the Holy Trinity is genderless, according to Pagels' observations?

5. The orthodox church became increasingly suspicious of anyone who claimed the secret ___________.

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the idea that Marcion concluded about God since he found a brutal God in the Old Testament and a compassionate God in the New Testament?

2. When one looks at the gnostic groups, what is the one thing which remains certain, according to the author?

3. Why didn't Mohammed and his brothers want to break open the jar that they found as they were digging?

4. What kind of criteria would the Gnostics give as being the true definition of a Christian?

5. What did Tertullian find so horrible about those who claimed the secret gnosis?

6. What does the idea of the laughing of Jesus during his torture and flogging seem to imply to those who read it?

7. Who were the Gnostics attacked by, as revealed in the Second Treatise of the Great Seth?

8. Why does Pagels suggest that perhaps there was a social aspect to the way the Church wanted to function?

9. Describe the idea of the social reality in which those who practice orthodox faith live.

10. What is a possible explanation for the burial of the sacred texts in the jar that Mohammed 'Ali found?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 614 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample