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

Short Answer Questions

1. Pagels wonders if true authority is only found when one takes a journey __________ on his own.

2. After the death of Jesus, a ______________ soldier was the one who started the riot in the Temple, causing many deaths in the process.

3. The meaning of the actual _____________ has created great controversy among scholars and in the world.

4. The structure of the Church remained in tact for many hundreds of years, surviving even the harsh winds of the _______________.

5. In the works of the philosopher, Nietzsche, he speaks of Jesus as being the only true _____________.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Looking at the Bible in a different way is not always something that people are willing to do.

Part 1: Why do you think people are resistant to seeing the Bible in a new way?

Part 2: Do you think that it's a good idea or a bad idea to look at new perspectives in the Bible? Why?

Part 3: How do you think religion might change if the gnostic gospels were considered to be true? Why?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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