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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. The development of conflicting philosophies of the nature and existence of God took place against the backdrop of ____________.

2. The Romans, initially regarded Christianity as _____________.

3. In 622 CE, accepting an invitation from the inhabitants of Yathrib, Muhammad and his followers migrated to ______.

4. After the synod, confusion still reigned in the Christian church with a competing philosophy developing at ________.

5. Thomas Aquinas made a lasting contribution to Western Christianity by trying to synthesize ____________.

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Muhammad's epiphany.

2. What is "religion of the heart and what did this lead to?

3. Who questions the existence and relevance of God in the nineteenth century? How do these people question God's existence or relevance?

4. Describe the weakening of Islam during the fifteenth century, as well as a resurgence of conservatism.

5. What did Galileo discover? What was the result of Galileo's discoveries?

6. What are the differences regarding mysticism in the Christian church?

7. Why did many European scholars flock to Spain during the twelfth century?

8. Why was the idea of a personal God developed by all three of the monotheistic religions? What are its dangers?

9. What does Armstrong say about the development of the philosophic theories in the Arab culture during the ninth century?

10. What happened at Medina?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Armstrong attemps to prove that much of what is believed about Jesus is myth.

Part 1) What information does Armstrong give about Jesus? How does this compare to your own knowledge of Jesus?

Part 2) How does Armstrong prove that what many consider to be facts is mythology? Is this valid evidence against Jesus as the Son of God? Why or why not?

Part 3) Why does Armstrong say Jesus' followers made him the Son of God and immortal? According to her, did he believe this to be true? Why or why not? According to Armstrong, who was Jesus?

Essay Topic 2

Muhammad is Islam's prophet.

Part 1) How did he become a prophet? Did his early life foreshadow this sacred role? Is so, how? If not, why not?

Part 2) To what did Muhammad's epiphany lead? How did this change Islam? How does it influence Islam today?

Part 3) What is the connection between Islam, Judaism, and Christianity? Is this seen in today's society? Why or why not? What might Muhammad feel about this? Why?

Essay Topic 3

A philosophy develops in Cappodocia, which forms the basis of the theology of the Eastern Orthodox Church.

Part 1) What idea did this theology form? How does this philosophy compare to the philosophy decided upon at the synod at Nicaea?

Part 2) How did Jews and Muslims feel about this idea? Why?

Part 3) how important was St. Augustine to the evolution of this idea? How was St. Augustine changed through his conversion to Christianity? How did this influence his ideas regarding this idea first established at Cappadocia as well as other ideas and beliefs?

(see the answer keys)

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