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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. Bishop Irenaeus wrote the book "The Destruction and Overthrow of Falsely So-Called _____________."

2. Valentine did distinguish between the creator, architect of the World, also known as the ______________, and the actual foundational spirit of the universe.

3. There is some speculation that there are actually two ____________ involved in the story of Mary and Jesus.

4. Pagels points out that the ___________ may be the key building block of orthodox Christianity.

5. Pagels points out that it was __________ that ultimately expelled the Valentinians who strove to maintain their membership.

Short Essay Questions

1. How do the Gnostic texts portray the God that is present in the story of Adam and Eve in the tale of creation?

2. To whom did one's real allegiance belong, according to the ideas of Valentine?

3. Why didn't Mohammed and his brothers want to break open the jar that they found as they were digging?

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

5. What does the idea of the laughing of Jesus during his torture and flogging seem to imply to those who read it?

6. What were Muhammed 'Ali al Summan and his brothers digging for when they made the important discovery?

7. In the Testimony of Truth, what does the Gnostic author offer as components of a holy life?

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

9. What was the debate the gnostic teachers had about the idea of the Dyad in the relationship of God?

10. What did Mohammed and his brothers do to the man who was responsible for killing their father?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

According to Pagels, most of the Western religions realize that God is beyond the idea of gender.

Part 1: Do you think this it's important to determine a gender for God? Why or why not?

Part 2: Why do you think that many people believe that God is without gender?

Part 3: How do you think religion or spirituality changes when God is given a gender identity? Why?

Essay Topic 2

The Gnostics seem to have several different versions of the story of what happened to Jesus after he hung on the cross.

Part 1: Why do you think the Gnostics are fine with having multiple and varying stories?

Part 2: Do you think it's a good idea to have as many different sorts of stories as possible or to have one story? Why?

Part 3: How do you think the Gnostic person interprets the idea of the resurrection? Why?

Essay Topic 3

Christians often believe that one should suffer as Christ did on the cross in order to understand Christ's sacrifice for the world.

Part 1: Do you think that suffering is necessary in life? Why or why not?

Part 2: How do you think the world might be if there was no suffering?

Part 3: How do you think that suffering benefits a person? Or doesn't it? Do you think that seeing the suffering of others is a good motivator? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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