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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. The Gnostics, some said, interpreted the resurrection to be something like an apparition that appears in a ________ state.

2. In Christianity, Judaism and in Islam, God is the king, lord, master, judge, and ____________.

3. After the death of Judas, the only real candidate for succession was ____________ who had also walked with Christ.

4. The language in many texts respects the idea of the female, though not in pagan terms, rather in presenting God as a Mother/Father ______.

5. ___________ was the issue of the day for the orthodox church, according to Pagels' findings in this chapter.

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What do most people agree about in terms of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ?

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

4. What does Valentinus present as a further breakdown of the parts of the Dyad?

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

6. What did Mohammed 'Ali do when he realized there wasn't any treasure in the jar that he had found?

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

8. After the death of Judas, the only true candidate for succession was which apostle?

9. Why does Pagels suggest that perhaps there was a social aspect to the way the Church wanted to function?

10. What did Professional Giles Quispel find so startling about the Coptic Museum's codices when he read them?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the beginning, those that found the jar with the gospels in it did not want to break the jar, lest they cause harm or they have bad luck befall them.

Part 1: Why do you think that superstition still thrives?

Part 2: Do you think you would have broken the jar more quickly than those of the story did? Why or why not?

Part 3: Do you think that breaking open the jar was a good idea? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Looking at the Bible in a different way is not always something that people are willing to do.

Part 1: Why do you think people are resistant to seeing the Bible in a new way?

Part 2: Do you think that it's a good idea or a bad idea to look at new perspectives in the Bible? Why?

Part 3: How do you think religion might change if the gnostic gospels were considered to be true? Why?

Essay Topic 3

In many modern Christian religions, it seems that the feminine aspect is not as widely addressed or celebrated as the male aspect.

Part 1: Why do you think that the male gender is one which is celebrated more than the female?

Part 2: Do you think that having a hierarchy of genders within religions is helpful or hurtful?

Part 3: How do you think that that society's view of religions would change if there was no focus on gender?

(see the answer keys)

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