View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Paul's statements in his letters seem to indicate that there is a ______________ which he will go to.
(a) Middle world.
(b) New leader.
(c) Third heaven.
(d) New church.

2. John, emotionally distraught over the crucifixion, announces the Trinity as the Father, Mother and __________.
(a) Spirit.
(b) Womb.
(c) Son.
(d) Truth.

3. Valentine did distinguish between the creator, architect of the World, also known as the ______________, and the actual foundational spirit of the universe.
(a) Demiurge.
(b) Ruler.
(c) Durmage.
(d) Triton.

4. Tertullian noted the way that _______ were so eagerly accepted in all facets of church society with great horror.
(a) Women.
(b) Children.
(c) Boys.
(d) Men.

5. The Gnostics considered themselves to be ____________, not believers and were despised by orthodox theologians.
(a) Seekers.
(b) Experiencers.
(c) Mystics.
(d) Diviners.

Short Answer Questions

1. The Romans believed in divine authority for __________, which eventually led to Inanaeus' death sentence for treason.

2. In the Gospel of Thomas, Peter tells Mary to leave them because _________ are not worthy of life, but Jesus responds.

3. What were Muhammed 'Ali and his brothers digging for?

4. What did Muhammed finally decide was worth breaking open the jar that he and his brothers found?

5. Two separate versions of Paul's experience in Damascus have spectators hearing the voice, but only one account includes the _________.

Short Essay Questions

1. What are some of the explanations that the Gnostics offered for the resurrection stories of Jesus?

2. When one looks at the gnostic groups, what is the one thing which remains certain, according to the author?

3. What is the idea that Marcion concluded about God since he found a brutal God in the Old Testament and a compassionate God in the New Testament?

4. What is the tradition that developed, though not completely logical and contradicted by two other gospels?

5. What does Pagels speculate united the Gnostics, as diverse as they were in the world?

6. How did Marcus the Magician relate to the idea of a feminine God or God-figure?

7. What did the Valentinians come to believe about the idea of God? What was He supposed to be?

8. What is the image that would infuriate the orthodox, the one that is described in Nag Hammadi's Apocalypse of Peter?

9. Who was the church of the Gnostics confined to, according to this section of the book?

10. What are the two occasions described in the Bible in which the reappearance of Jesus might be called into question?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 662 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample