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

2. What did Muhammed not want to do when he first found the jar during the dig with his brothers?

3. Valentinus described God as the Father, the Ineffable, the Depth, and the Primal ______________.

4. Theologians from many Western religions do contend that God is beyond ____________, according to Pagels.

5. In the Hypostasis of the Archons, ________ is elevated to being the spiritual mother of Adam, even though other stories contradict this.

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 did Tertullian find so horrible about those who claimed the secret gnosis?

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

4. When Jesus tells Peter that he will lead her in order to make her male so that she too may become a living spirit, to whom is he referring?

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

6. 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?

7. What has created a lot of controversy when it comes to discussions between scholars of biblical texts?

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

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

10. What is a possible explanation for the burial of the sacred texts in the jar that Mohammed 'Ali found?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

At one point in time, the Romans considered the Christians to be heretics as they were not pagan in nature as the rulers were.

Part 1: Why do you think the the Romans felt they needed to punish the Christians?

Part 2: Why do you think that some Christians feel it's okay to punish those who consider themselves to be pagan?

Part 3: How do you think that religions should treat each other?

Essay Topic 2

At some point, someone writes that Jesus was actually laughing when he was put to death on the the cross.

Part 1: How do you feel about the image of Jesus laughing as he is put to death?

Part 2: Why do you think the accounts of the crucifixion vary so widely?

Part 3: Do you think the crucifixion actually occurred? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

The brothers decided to go after the killer of their father, hacking him to bits and eating his heart.

Part 1: Why do you think the brothers thought this sort of killing was necessary?

Part 2: Do you think it's ever a good idea to kill another person? Why or why not?

Part 3: How do you think the brothers' life will change as a result of their murderous actions?

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