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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Tertullian later spoke of joining a spiritual church for spiritual people, not a church for ___________.
(a) Bishops.
(b) Pagans.
(c) Non-believers.
(d) The lost.

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

3. The Gnostics did not stress the idea of obedience to authority, but rather ___________ with those united in communion.
(a) Fellowship.
(b) Hierarchy.
(c) Government.
(d) Partnership.

4. The Gnostic author had nothing but contempt for a congregation of seekers that sought to avoid the firm citadel of Christan ___________.
(a) Blasphemy.
(b) Crucifixion.
(c) Communion.
(d) Confession.

5. The Valentinians who led normal lives still regarded ____________ as their primary goal, even as they gave up some worldly pleasures.
(a) Writing.
(b) Gnosis.
(c) Pain.
(d) Community.

6. Tertullian suggested the Gnostics were trying to evade death by changing the story of the _________________, which elevated Christ into a God.
(a) Apple.
(b) Creation.
(c) Passion.
(d) Resurrection.

7. The young Christian woman named Blandina was able to withstand tremendous pain and torture, eventually being killed by being tossed in a net and exposed to ____________.
(a) A bull.
(b) The elements.
(c) Fire.
(d) A lake.

8. The laughing Jesus implies a separation between the physical and the spiritual Jesus and casts doubt on the traditional concept of the ________.
(a) Prayer.
(b) Atonement.
(c) Darkness.
(d) Connection between Jesus and man.

9. In what gospel does Jesus respond to Thomas' passionate request to learn how to get to the next level?
(a) Jesus.
(b) Thomas.
(c) Mary.
(d) John.

10. What is another thing the many criteria did for the orthodox church? It consolidated ______________.
(a) Priests.
(b) Celebrants.
(c) Power.
(d) Beliefs.

11. 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) Life.
(c) Pain.
(d) God.

12. When it came to discriminate as to the true Church, ______ pervaded even the sanctum of the orthodox.
(a) Greed.
(b) Terror.
(c) Irony.
(d) Inequality.

13. Tertullian turned away from the ____________ movement, joining a Montanist movement that featured a new prophecy.
(a) Agnostic.
(b) Christian scientists.
(c) Orthodox.
(d) Gnostic.

14. Justin was a philosopher who wrote to the Emperor protesting the treatment of a __________________.
(a) Disciple of Jesus.
(b) Whore.
(c) Christian man.
(d) Christian woman.

15. The Testimony of Truth does not confine its attacks to the orthodoxy, but also directs its attentions to the deficiencies of supposedly immature ________.
(a) Gnostics.
(b) Rebels.
(c) Pagans.
(d) Christians.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. The orthodox victors preserved Christianity because of their emphasis on rigid ___________, rituals, and Church leaders.

3. Most scholars will agree that Jesus was crucified by ________________ when he was sentenced to the cross.

4. Polycarb refused the __________________ and was burned alive because of his Christian beliefs.

5. Pliny would often execute those who admitted to being of the _____________ faith, though he would let those go who did not admit to the faith.

(see the answer keys)

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