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

Short Answer Questions

1. The Testimony of Truth talks about the ideas of ___________ and economic renunciation as components of a holy life.

2. Phillip in his gospel laughs at the _________________ as a test of spiritual sufficiency, as people receive nothing from this.

3. The orthodox church wanted to have more controversy in order to create ______________ to basic institutional and doctrinal elements.

4. In the Gospel of Thomas, _________ speaks of a light within man that can light up the whole world.

5. There is even some suggestion in Gnostic texts that man himself creates the world of ___________, something radical even for the Gnostic beliefs.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 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

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?

(see the answer keys)

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