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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 concept of a Divine Trinity is largely the result of the teachings of ____________.

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

3. The emergence of the cult of Jesus from the established church of Judaism was accompanied by passionate dispute, and many disciples of Jesus ____________.

4. What does the Koran mean?

5. Christianity was a religion of __________.

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does Armstrong say about scientific discoveries, old religious dogmas, and atheism?

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

4. Describe Christian mysticism in Northern Europe.

5. How did many Jews respond to the Neoplatonic doctrine?

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

7. What happened at Medina?

8. How were these three religions forced to develop mystical traditions?

9. What discontent exists in the world of Judaism at this time?

10. Describe mysticism in Judaism.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The first section foreshadows Christianity.

Part 1) How is the advent of Christianity foreshadowed? What role do the Greeks play in the beginnings of Christianity?

Part 2) How do Judaism and Greek ideas blend? How does this blending leading to the Christian religion?

Part 3) How does Philo give evidence of the mixing of Judaism and Greek thinking?

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 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?

(see the answer keys)

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