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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. To Iranaeus, the monotheism of the Valentianians was a kind of ________, a hoax that would allow them to participate in the orthodox church.

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

3. While the scrolls were taken to the Coptic museum for safekeeping, _______ of the codices were smuggled out of the country.

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. Tertullian claimed that Valentinus' theology was driven by __________, according to the research that Pagels did.

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 was the primary goal of the Valentianians in the way they lived and followed their beliefs?

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

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

5. Why did the orthodox preserve Christianity, according to the logic of Pagels?

6. What does Jesus tell Thomas when Thomas requests that Jesus give him directions on how to get to the next level?

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

8. When Paul is writing in his letters, he refers to something that is 'whether it is in the body or out of the body I do not know.' What is he referring to?

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

10. What does Jesus challenge his apostles to do in order to see that he has indeed resurrected?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The belief in the resurrection was one that spread because of its political power, according to Pagels.

Part 1: Why do you think the idea of the resurrection was so effective in politics?

Part 2: Do you think that a person has to choose whether they believe the resurrection happened or not? Why?

Part 3: Does it matter to you what faith your elected officials are? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

At a certain point in time, the idea of Martyrdom become something that was accepted in the Christian world.

Part 1: Why do you think the being a martyr is so acceptable?

Part 2: Do you believe that being a martyr for your faith is an honorable thing? Why or why not?

Part 3: Do you think that martyrdom is something which should be celebrated? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

The Gnostic gospels seem to state that it's not that becoming a martyr will lead to Heaven each time, but that the awareness of the teachings of Christ is the reward.

Part 1: Do you think that Heaven should be seen as the ultimate reward in the Christian life? Why or why not?

Part 2: Do you believe that the awareness of Christ is something that is more important than what happens when you die? Why or why not?

Part 3: How do you think Christianity might change if there was no idea of Heaven or Hell?

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