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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. They tried to show that al-Lah was compatible with ____________.

2. The Sufis claimed that they experienced God through ____________.

3. What was the belief in question?

4. At this synod, the modern Christian creed, called ________ was first promulgated.

5. What two philosophers had competing ideas regarding the nature of the Christian God?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens to Sufism during the twelfth and thirteenth centuries?

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

3. What led to a rift with the Quraysh? To what did this rift lead?

4. What is the Jewish development similar to the "Great Awakening?"

5. What is Armstrong's pessimistic view of the modern world?

6. Describe the life of Muhammad prior to his epiphany.

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

8. Describe Bernard, the abbot of the Cistercian Abby of Clarivaux in Burgundy.

9. What happened at Medina?

10. What does Armstrong say about the old tribal God standing judgment of the individual?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Christianity spread quickly.

Part 1) Why did it spread quickly? How did it spread quickly?

Part 2) What is the connection between this spreading of Christianity and Judaism?

Part 3) Why was Christianity accepted by the governing Romans? What does this later mean for both Christians and Romans?

Essay Topic 2

Various movements and sects emerged during the first two centuries of Christianity.

Part 1) What are these various movements and sects? How did they come to be? What happened to these sects over time? Why did this occur?

Part 2) Why were educated non-Christians drawn to the religion? What does this say about the early Christians and the culture at the time?

Part 3) Are many non-Christians drawn to the church today? If so, why? If not, why not?

Essay Topic 3

Armstrong discusses the development of a personal God.

Part 1) Describe this development, according to Armstrong. Why did a personal God come to be in these three major religions?

Part 2) What is an inherent danger in a personal God? How was this seen throughout history? How is this seen today?

Part 3) Why did the members of these religions feel that a personal God was necessary? How is this still important today?

(see the answer keys)

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