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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where did one of the most important archaeological events take place in 1945 according to the book?

2. The finding of the earthenware jar became known as the Naj or the Nag ________________ find.

3. Who is one of the followers who did not recognize Jesus when he reappeared after the resurrection?

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

5. Some Gnostic authors see Sophia as the ___________ benevolently having provided the gift of self-awareness to Adam and to Eve.

Short Essay Questions

1. What are some of the explanations that the Gnostics offered for the resurrection stories of Jesus?

2. What made the idea of there only being a strict and narrow path to God so attractive to the orthodox?

3. What does Valentinus present as a further breakdown of the parts of the Dyad?

4. In the Testimony of Truth, what does the Gnostic author offer as components of a holy life?

5. What does Jesus challenge his apostles to do in order to see that he has indeed resurrected?

6. After the death of Judas, the only true candidate for succession was which apostle?

7. What are the two occasions described in the Bible in which the reappearance of Jesus might be called into question?

8. What does Pagels want to express in terms of relationship to the Gnostic gospels?

9. What was the debate the gnostic teachers had about the idea of the Dyad in the relationship of God?

10. 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?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Christians often believe that one should suffer as Christ did on the cross in order to understand Christ's sacrifice for the world.

Part 1: Do you think that suffering is necessary in life? Why or why not?

Part 2: How do you think the world might be if there was no suffering?

Part 3: How do you think that suffering benefits a person? Or doesn't it? Do you think that seeing the suffering of others is a good motivator? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

There are some who believe that man creates the world of God, and that the path of God lies within man's own mind.

Part 1: Do you believe that faith is externally based or internally based? Why?

Part 2: How do you think that religions might change if faith was not seen as something that happened outside of one's self?

Part 3: Do you think that faith is something you have or something that you need to earn? Why?

Essay Topic 3

At a certain point in time, the idea of Martyrdom become something that was accepted in the Christian world.

Part 1: Why do you think the being a martyr is so acceptable?

Part 2: Do you believe that being a martyr for your faith is an honorable thing? Why or why not?

Part 3: Do you think that martyrdom is something which should be celebrated? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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