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This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Hippolytus accused the Bishop of Rome of ___________, claiming that he was treated like a common criminal and not as a Christian martyr.

2. In the works of the philosopher, Nietzsche, he speaks of Jesus as being the only true _____________.

3. Tertullian turned away from the ____________ movement, joining a Montanist movement that featured a new prophecy.

4. The Roman Empire realized that Christianity was a sect which followed a man accused of ___________ and of magic.

5. The Gnostic suffering is the result of ignorance of __________, of the God within everyone.

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

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 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 320 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample