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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In Christianity, Judaism and in Islam, God is the king, lord, master, judge, and ____________.
(a) Pope.
(b) Soldier.
(c) Ruler.
(d) Father.

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

3. Where did one of the most important archaeological events take place in 1945 according to the book?
(a) Upper Egypt.
(b) Middle East.
(c) Lower Egypt.
(d) Sudan.

4. The resurrection was useful ____________, which is why it became such an important part of religious dogma.
(a) Biblically.
(b) Financially.
(c) Spiritually.
(d) Politically.

5. In the Testimony of Truth, the text talks of a benign ____________ and a guileful Jehovah.
(a) Tree.
(b) Women.
(c) Serpent.
(d) Adam.

Short Answer Questions

1. The resurrection, Pagels speculates, helps to _____________ the authority of those who believed literally in the resurrection.

2. One God, One _________ became the doctrine of the church, according to the text in this chapter.

3. A letter to the Bishop of Rome stated the difference between ________ and priesthood, defining the reality of the Roman church.

4. It is the mixing of the _________________ with normal humanity that engenders the interpretation of the birth of Jesus.

5. The Gnostic texts call God _________ for punishing Adam and Eve for obtaining spiritual wisdom from a serpent.

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Pagels state that the retelling of the story of Eden becomes problematic for those who consider themselves to be Christian?

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

3. What made Christianity an easy reach for the masses, while also consolidating power in the Church?

4. What does Pagels point out in terms of the orthodox church's agenda in relation to conformity?

5. What did a letter attributed to the Bishop of Rome around 90 to 100 AD create in official language for the first time?

6. What kind of suffering was focused on in the Gnostic path and the belief system?

7. What did Hippolytus, great enemy of the agnostics, accuse Callistus of?

8. What are some of the roles that a masculine God might have in the prayers of Christians, Jews, and Muslims?

9. The Gnostics did not stress the idea of obedience to authority, so what did they choose to stress in their communities?

10. What does Pagels give as an explanation as to why the story of the story of the resurrection seems to be so important to the faithful?

(see the answer keys)

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