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

Short Answer Questions

1. After the death of Jesus, a ______________ soldier was the one who started the riot in the Temple, causing many deaths in the process.

2. A Gnostic author speaks of a baptism of _________ rather than a baptism of water.

3. Both the Gnostics and the orthodox, according to Blake, see Jesus as a false __________ in the history of man.

4. Ignatius scorned the Gnostic view that Christ had not truly ____________ as this was a main tenet in orthodox beliefs.

5. The Valentinians also speak of the birth of _________ from her confusion, water from her terror, and air from her grief.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

The Gnostics seem to lean toward a dualistic form of God, with one being lighter and another being darker.

Part 1: Do you think the dualistic views of God are important? Why or why not?

Part 2: How does having more than one view of God change a belief system?

Part 3: Do you think that it's easier or better to have one God? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

It is said that the resurrection was a turning point in the history of the world, at least in the Christian world.

Part 1: Why do you think the resurrection was such a turning point in the history of the Christian world?

Part 2: Do you think that Christianity would have the power it does if the resurrection had not happened? Why or why not?

Part 3: Do you think the resurrection story is a metaphor or do you believe that Jesus actually rose from the dead? Why?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 339 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample