Ideas in Antiquity Quiz 3
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Dec 6, 2023
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Tiana Ellis
Ideas in Antiquity
CLAS 016
9 October 2023
Development of Christianity Quiz III
1.
What are some of the ideologies of Gnosticism? Where might we see Gnostic influences
in the Gospel of Thomas?
Gnosticism, according to
The Story of Christianity, Vol. 1 The Early Church to the Dawn
of Reformation,
was a “vast and amorphous movement that existed both within and
outside Christianity.” Gnosticism was one of the many differing interpretations of
Christianity, and was seen as the most dangerous of them all. Some of the ideologies of
Gnosticism was that all matter is evil, or even unreal. According to the text, Gnostics
believed that a human being is an eternal spirit that has been imprisoned in a body.
Overall, the Gnostics main goal was to escape the body, as they saw the body as evil. The
term “Gnosticism” is derived from the Greek word “gnosis” which means knowledge.
Gnostics believed that in order to reach salvation, one must acquire secret knowledge that
would lead to an understanding of one divine nature and to rejoice in their true spirit
without the impulses that the human body leads them to. In Nag Hammadi in Egypt, a
large collection of Gnostic writings was discovered, which included the Gospel of
Thomas. Some of the known Gnostic influences were found through the Gospel such as
the emphasis on secret knowledge, gnosis. In line 39 of the Gospel of Thomas, it says,
“Jesus said, ‘The Pharisees and the scribes have taken the keys of knowledge (gnosis)
and hidden them. They themselves have not entered, nor have they allowed to enter those
who wish to. You, however, be as wise as serpents and as innocent as doves.’” This line
represents one of the main beliefs of Gnosticism as the Gnostics believed that knowledge
led to salvation.
2.
What are some of the major themes of the synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke)?
The Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke are referred to as the synoptic Gospels because
they all offer a similar view of Jesus’ life and teachings. They share common stories,
parables, and sayings and their similarities make it possible to compare and contrast their
accounts which assists in the development and understanding of early Christian thought.
Upon reading each Gospel, a central theme in all three synoptic Gospels is the
proclamation of the Kingdom of God. Jesus frequently teaches about this spiritual
kingdom and its values, emphasizing righteousness, humility, and God’s rule over all
aspects of life. While each of these three Gospels share similar themes such as the
Kingdom of God, healing, suffering, and resurrection, each Gospel also has its own
unique emphases, theological perspectives, and target audiences. For example, the Gospel
of Matthew often emphasizes Jesus’ role as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies,
while the Gospel of Luke emphasizes Jesus’ compassion for the marginalized and the
Gospel of Mark emphasizes Jesus’ actions and the urgency of his ministry.
3.
Discuss the significance of Paul to the development of Christianity.
Paul was a servant of Jesus Christ who was called to be an apostle. Apostle Paul went on
extensive missionary journeys through the Eastern Mediterranean with the mission to
spread the message of Jesus to both Jews and Gentiles. His travels helped to establish
many Christian churches and communities in places such as Rome, Corinth, Espheus, and
Thessalonica. Paul wrote letters to the Romans, Galatians, and Ephesians, which are
found in the New Testament. His letters contained theological insights and teachings as
he articulated key Christian doctrines such as justification by faith, the role of the Law,
and the nature of the Church. Paul's theology emphasized the universal applicability of
the Christian message. He argued that salvation was available to all, not just Jews, and
that faith in Christ, rather than adherence to Jewish law, was the means of justification
and reconciliation with God. This inclusivity was a crucial factor in the spread of
Christianity to diverse cultures and people. Paul’s contribution to the development of
Christianity played an important role in shaping the early Christian Church through his
missionary efforts as well as his theological writings.
4.
What were some of the reasons for Christianity becoming a separate religion from
Judaism?
According to the text,
The Story of Christianity, Vol 1 The Early Church to the Dawn of
Reformation,
Diaspora Judaism was one of the main avenues through which the new faith
of Christianity expanded throughout the Roman Empire. Judaism provided the church
with the Greek translation of the Old Testament. The separation of Chrisitanity from
Judaism was a gradual process that occurred over several centuries. One of the main
factors that led to the separation of Christianity from Judaism was the belief in Jesus as
the Messiah. The main theological difference between these two religions is that
Christians believed that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah and the Son of God. This belief
in Jesus as the Messiah was a fundamental departure from traditional Jewish messianic
expectations, which often revolved around a political and nationalistic figure. Another
reason for the separation between the two religions was that early Christianity began to
attract a large number of non-Jewish gentiles. The main concern of this was these new
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