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

Short Answer Questions

1. The orthodoxy tried to maintain its power and its legitimacy by striving against any _____________ criteria.

2. In the Gospel of Truth, there is a passage called the ____________ parable in which it's said that man acts as if he were sunk in sleep.

3. At one point, some monks were ordered to destroy _________ texts, along with other monastic brethren, though some were not.

4. The Roman Empire believed that the Christian followers saw their many pagan gods as _______________.

5. The Gnostic suffering is the result of ignorance of __________, of the God within everyone.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The brothers decided to go after the killer of their father, hacking him to bits and eating his heart.

Part 1: Why do you think the brothers thought this sort of killing was necessary?

Part 2: Do you think it's ever a good idea to kill another person? Why or why not?

Part 3: How do you think the brothers' life will change as a result of their murderous actions?

Essay Topic 2

Pagels also points out that at times, beliefs that weren't logical became preeminent.

Part 1: Do you think it's dangerous for illogical beliefs to be powerful? Why or why not?

Part 2: Does it matter whether a belief is logical? Why or why not?

Part 3: How do you think society would change of all accepted beliefs were logical? Why?

Essay Topic 3

In the beginning, those that found the jar with the gospels in it did not want to break the jar, lest they cause harm or they have bad luck befall them.

Part 1: Why do you think that superstition still thrives?

Part 2: Do you think you would have broken the jar more quickly than those of the story did? Why or why not?

Part 3: Do you think that breaking open the jar was a good idea? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 320 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample