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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Polycarb refused the __________________ and was burned alive because of his Christian beliefs.
(a) Sacrifice.
(b) Ritual drink.
(c) Bread.
(d) Goat.

2. The Gnostics were not only attacked by __________, but also by those who advanced the name of Christ.
(a) Muslims.
(b) Themselves.
(c) Jews.
(d) Pagans.

3. In the works of the philosopher, Nietzsche, he speaks of Jesus as being the only true _____________.
(a) Gnostic.
(b) Lover.
(c) Believer.
(d) Christian.

4. To the Romans, the Christians were seen as _____________ since they were also part of an illegal organization.
(a) Followers.
(b) Leaders.
(c) Prisoners.
(d) Heretics.

5. It is said that at least the Christians had been called by God, unlike the pagans who could be excused for their ____________.
(a) Greed.
(b) Idolatry.
(c) Ignorance.
(d) Tolerance.

6. The advice of Jesus to Thomas was attractive to the ____________ as it indicated there was only a strict and narrow path to Heaven.
(a) Pagan.
(b) Gnostic.
(c) Orthodoxy.
(d) Agnostic.

7. The structure of the Church remained in tact for many hundreds of years, surviving even the harsh winds of the _______________.
(a) Reformation.
(b) Holocaust.
(c) Crusades.
(d) Marches.

8. Ultimately, what happened to Justin who writes the letters which attempt to protect those in the Christian faith?
(a) He is put to death.
(b) He is made pope.
(c) He is made a cardinal.
(d) He is exiled from the country.

9. Frederik Wiss speculates that perhaps the Nag Hammadi find was the results of __________ at St. Pachomius.
(a) Children.
(b) Nuns.
(c) Monks.
(d) Priests.

10. Pagels wonders if it was the __________ function of the Church which allowed it to be kept alive for so many years.
(a) Social.
(b) Punishment.
(c) Guilt.
(d) Sacrament.

11. How did the soldier start the riot which caused so many deaths in the Temple's courtyard?
(a) Exposing himself.
(b) Ripping up the scriptures.
(c) Blaspheming Jesus.
(d) Swearing and cursing.

12. In the Dialogue of the Savior, Jesus says that in order to get to Heaven, when you get to "the ________ where you can reach, stand there."
(a) Town.
(b) Mountain.
(c) Place.
(d) Sky.

13. The Valentians speak of ___________ giving birth to the world out of their own suffering.
(a) Truth.
(b) Wisdom.
(c) God.
(d) Earth.

14. What is NOT one of the things which made Christianity an easy reach for the masses of people?
(a) Obedience to the clergy.
(b) Service atttendance.
(c) Holy water.
(d) Baptism.

15. There is even some suggestion in Gnostic texts that man himself creates the world of ___________, something radical even for the Gnostic beliefs.
(a) Man.
(b) God.
(c) Pain.
(d) Life.

Short Answer Questions

1. Pagels points out that it was not the orthodox church's agenda to eliminate all ____________ from the church.

2. The ____________ between the Gnostic and the orthodox is echoed in the centuries to come, according to historical findings.

3. Justin was a philosopher who wrote to the Emperor protesting the treatment of a __________________.

4. The orthodox interpret the crucifixion as a matter demanding extreme ______________, contrary to other accounts.

5. Pagels makes a reader question: Is the Kingdom of God more truly __________________?

(see the answer keys)

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