Church History Midterm

Which of the following is associated with the first phase of the Quest for the Historical Jesus?

Albert Scweitzer

Which of the following is associated with the first phase of the Quest for the Historical Jesus?

The Kingdom of God was breaking into our world

T/F - All four Gospels devote the largest amount of space - about a quarter to a third of the narrative - to the events of Jesus' final week in Jerusalem, leading to his death.

True

The same disciples who betrayed and denied Jesus at his arrest and simply fled away, started to turn Jerusalem upside down a couple of days later with what extraordinary claim? 

They claimed that God had raised Jesus from the dead

Which of the following is true of the Apostle Peter?

He quickly became the leader of Jesus' twelve close followers.
He had a vision which launched the mission to take the gospel to the Gentiles.
He was martyred in Rome.
He was probably the main source for Mark's Gospel.

T/F - Paul's letters were not highly valued during his lifetime. It was only after he died that people collected them and it was only in the third century that people accepted his letters on an equal basis with other Scripture.

False

The Apostle Thomas is traditionally believed to have taken Christianity to Syria.

False

Which of the following wrote seven letters while he traveled from Antioch to Rome on his way to be executed?

Ignatius

Who was the first major Christian author to write in Latin, and therefore the first to use many of the technical words common in later Christian theological debates?

Tertullian

 The decrees by Emperor Diocletian in 303 AD ordered the destruction of all church buildings, the confiscation of Christian books, the dismissal of Christians from the government and the army, and the imprisonment of the clergy. 

True

To what source does Dowley attribute the practice of cherishing relics of the martyrs, their graves becoming sites of pilgrimage and prayer, and the belief that dead saints worked miracles and guaranteed special blessings to believers?

These practices came from pagan converts who brought their pre-Christian ideas.

Which of the following describes Christians, according to the second-century Letter to Diognetus?

They do not live in cities of their own, or speak some strange dialect, or have some peculiar lifestyle.

They marry and have children, just like every one else; but they do not kill unwanted babies.

They are mocked and bless in return.

They pass their days on earth, but are citizens of heaven.

T/F - The apostles performed many miracles during their evangelistic work, and miracles continued to form a significant part of evangelism during the centuries that followed. 

False

T/F - According to Dowley, the special value of archaeology is that it proves whether or not the Bible is true.

False

The oldest known fragment of the New Testament, currently located in Manchester, England, is from what biblical book? 

John’s Gospel

Which of the following were common Christian emblems in the early church?

A cross and fish

T/F - The earliest Christians had special buildings, so they seldom met in private houses for worship. 

False

What Old Testament images did the apostles use to describe Jesus? 

He was the Passover Lamb

He was the second, or last, Adam

He was the kinsman-redeemer

He was the stone rejected by the builders, but chosen by God to be the cornerstone

Which person did early Christian writers regard as the fount of all heresies?

Simon Magus

Which of the following does not describe baptism in the early church? 

A person who was unsure about their salvation was required to be baptized. 

T/F - Eusebius was not the first church historian, but he was the first to attempt church history on a comprehensive scale. 

True

Which of the following was the only Western Church to receive a letter from an apostle? 

Rome

T/F - Paul believed the Lord's Supper served both to unite Christians with the Lord in his death and risen life, and to join believers in a bond of union as 'one body' of Christ. 

True

Which of the following was used by Ignatius to describe holy communion as the antidote that we should not die, but live forever in Jesus Christ? 

Medicine of immortality

T/F - After his conversion, Emperor Constantine treated Christianity as the favored, though not official, religion of the Roman Empire. 

True

Which of the following is not true regarding saints and martyrs in the early church? 

The church began to teach that saints should be worshipped. 

Which of the following tried to convert the Roman Empire to Hellenism, in effect making it pagan once again? 

Julian

T/F - The election of Ambrose as Bishop of Milan came as a surprise to him. He was not yet baptized and he had no church training. 

True

What did the encounter between Ambrose and Theodosius demonstrate with regard to the relationship between church and state?

That that Emperor is within the church, therefore he must submit to church authority.

Which of the following describes the era of councils and creeds in the early church? 

Four councils came to be accepted as binding on the whole church. 

Many creeds and statements of doctrine were produced.

It was an age of interference and even domination by emperors. 

Technical terms without biblical origins were made key-words in authoritative statements of belief.

Which of the following were known as the Cappadocian Fathers?

Basis, Gregory and Gregory

T/F - The period known as Lent, which was used for preparing candidates for baptism, occurs just before Christmas Day. 

False

Which of the following cities was not recognized by the Council of Nicaea as being pre-eminent in its region?

Cathage

Which of the following is said to have completed the papal theory of the Middle Ages, namely that emperors must guard the church, but also submit themselves to the guidance of the pope?

Gelasius

In what ways did the Roman church take on the shape of the Roman world as it grew into maturity?

It followed the pattern of the imperial administration

Its literature and learning were based on Latin models

Its architecture included the basilica-church and later the medieval cathedral

T/F - The Great Persecution by Diocletian affected Africa, directly and indirectly, more severely than anywhere else in the West.

True

Which African orator and apologist received the title "The Christian Cicero" in light of his elegant Latin?

Lactantius

Which of the following is not true of Augustine of Hippo? 

He developed his doctrines of the fall and original sin in response to the Donatists

What was Ufila's most important achievement?

Did NOT prevent the fall of Rome

Did NOT publish the City of God

Did NOT end the Empire in the West

T/F - Jerome completed his translation of the Scriptures into Latin from Bethlehem

True

T/F - Jerome ranks with Origen and Augustine as an early biblical interpreter of the first order. 

True

T/F - The author agrees with historian Edward Gibbon that the primary cause of the fall of the Roman Empire was a decline in morality. 

False

Which of the following is ranked among the founders of the Middle Ages because of his great influence on medieval education and thought? 

Boethius

T/F - Monasticism appeared first out of Eastern Christianity through the work of Athanasius whose biography of Antony largely helped to spread the ideals of the ascetic movement. 

True

Which of the following is credited with producing monastic rules in the fourth century that are still observed in Eastern monasteries today?

Basil

Which of the following returned to the land where he had once been enslaved in order to evangelize the people there?

Patrick

T/F - According to the author, clerical celibacy developed only slowly in the church. It is reasonable to suppose that most of the apostles were married. 

True

T/F - After Thomas Becket was nominated by King Henry II to be Archbishop of Canterbury, he dutifully served the king by approving the crown's authority over the church.

False

T/F - The Concordat of Worms (1122) attempted to settle the struggle between the Empire and the papacy. The king would invest the bishop with temporal powers and the church would give the spiritual authority. 

True

Which of the following describes the Cistercians?

They emphasized manual labor instead of scholarship

Their churches were plain, with no ornaments or treasures

They were allowed a fire only on Christmas Day

T/F - Bernard of Clairvaux was so persuasive in leading men to enter the monastery that it is said mother's hid their sons and wives their husbands, when he came fishing for men. 

True

Which of the following founded a movement dedicated to apostolic poverty, preaching, and caring for the poor and sick?

Francis of Assissi

Which of the following orders of medieval friars was known as "the watchdogs of the Lord"? 

Dominicans

Which of the following Crusades is deemed by the author as the most successful?

First Crusade

Which two issues gained the Waldensians the descriptions of heretics?

The unauthorized preaching of the gospel and their rejection of the intermediary role of the clergy

Which of the following is not true regarding the Inquisition?

Inquisitors could only judge a person's actions, not their intentions

Which of the following is not a sacrament according to Peter Lombard's list? 

Tithing

Which of the following characterized popular religion during the Middle Ages? 

Veneration of the Virgin Mary

Collections of Relics

Increased Interest in Pilgrimmages

T/F - According to the author, biblical interpretation was never so clear as in the Middle Ages. 

False

Which of the following wrote 86 sermons on the Song of Solomon? 

Bernard of Clairvaux

According to tradition, what led Vladimir to adopt Byzantine Christianity thus leading Orthodoxy to become the state religion? 

The aesthetic forms of worship

Which city was declared to be the 'Third Rome'? 

Moscow

T/F - For most of the fourteenth century, no pope lived in Rome

True

Which group arose around John Wyclif at Oxford, and stood for the idea that the main task of a priest was to preach? 

Lollards

What is the irony of church history?

Why do people neglect church history?

Skepticism about Jesus, biased historical accounts, spiritual opposition, Christian failures, and secular approaches to history.

What are the primary sources for Jesus’s life?

The four Gospels. Some scholars dismiss them because they are faith-based rather than religiously neutral accounts.

Who is the Father of Church Hisott?

Eusebius of Caesarea (c. 260–340), author of Ecclesiastical History.

What is hagiography?

Writing about Christians and saints in exaggerated, larger-than-life ways to encourage Christian devotion.

How does modern scholarship treat GGod’s providence in history?

Secular historical methods often exclude providence, emphasizing reason and objectivity instead.

Are confessional historians welcomed in secular academies?

The notes say they have generally been unwelcome, limiting their influence in broader academic culture.

How do the Gospels present Jesus as fulfilling Jewish promises?

They connect Jesus to Old Testament prophecies, the promised Messiah, God's kingdom, miracles, forgiveness, and resurrection.

How was Christianity designed to spread worldwide

Jesus commissioned disciples to preach, teach, and baptize all nations; the Holy Spirit empowered witness to Jews and Gentiles.

How did early Christians maintain their Jewish heritage?

They attended synagogues, followed the Old Testament, used synagogue-style worship, and practiced baptism.

What distinguished Christians from other Jews?

They proclaimed Jesus as Messiah and Locrd, understood baptism as union with Christ, and centered worship on His death.

What three events separated Christianity from Judaism?

The Acts 15 decision on Gentiles and Jewish law; James’s death in 62 AD; and Jerusalem’s temple destruction in 70 AD.

What traditions describe Peter, John, and Thomas?

Peter died in Rome; John likely ministered near Ephesus and Patmos; Thomas is credited with founding a church in India.

Who was the most unlikely and prominent apostle?

Paul, formerly Saul the Pharisee, whose missionary influence exceeded that of the original twelve disciples.

Why was Paul well suited for missionary work?

He was Jewish, fluent in Greek, and a Roman citizen, and he traveled on three missionary journeys.

Who performed most early Christian missionary work?

Ordinary Christians who used their everyday skills and opportunities to share the gospel where they lived.

What four reasons explain the gospel’s spread, according to Bruce Shelley?

Belief in Jesus’ resurrection; a message meeting spiritual needs; practical Christian love; and steadfastness under persecution.

How did non-Christians misunderstand early Christianity?

They accused Christians of sexual immorality, cannibalism, social withdrawal, treason, and irrational religious beliefs.

Was early Roman persecution continuous?;

Usually it was sporadic until the mid-third century, although severe empire-wide persecutions occurred under Decius and Diocletian.

Were Christians always fearless under persecution?

Some accepted martyrdom courageously, while others denied their faith or obtained certificates claiming they had sacrificed to Roman gods.

Who were lapsed Christians?

Christians who denied their faith or compromised during persecution but later wanted to return to the church.

How did Cyprian handle lapsed Christians?

He permitted sincere penitents to return through church-approved penance, with bishops determining readmission.

What did Cyprian mean by the church as mother?

Church unity was essential: Christians could not separate themselves from the church and still claim God as their Father.

How did Cyprian’s teaching influence Catholic theology?

It reinforced the church’s unity, episcopal authority, penance, and the belief that salvation is inseparable from the church.

What is an apologist?

A Christian writer who defends the faith against criticism and explains its beliefs to outsiders.

Who was the most significant early Christian apologist?

Justin Martyr (c. 100–165), a philosopher who became a Christian.

What arguments did Justin Martyr use to defend Christianity?;

Christians live morally and pray for enemies; Christianity is the true philosophy; Christ is the Logos; and Jesus fulfills prophecy.

What event led to Constantine’s conversion?

Before fighting Maxentius in 312 AD, Constantine appealed to the Supreme God; Eusebius reported that Christ appeared to him in a dream.

Why was Constantine’s conversion significant?

It helped transform Christianity from a persecuted religion into a legally recognized and favored faith.

What did Constantine do for Christians?

Restored Christian property, issued the Edict of Milan in 313, made Sunday a holiday, and convened the Council of Nicaea.

How did Christianity change under imperial favor?

Churches became elaborate basilicas, Christians gained public influence, martyr shrines and relics grew prominent, and pilgrimage increased.

How did Christianity change under imperial favor?

Churches became elaborate basilicas, Christians gained public influence, martyr shrines and relics grew prominent, and pilgrimage increased.

Which emperor tried to restore paganism?

Julian the Apostate (361–363), who removed Christian privileges but did not conduct widespread martyrdom.

Which emperor made Christianity the empire’s official religion?

Theodosius I in 380 AD.

What was Gnosticism?

A collection of teachings that viewed matter as evil and secret knowledge as necessary for salvation.

Which Gnostic beliefs conflicted with orthodox Christianity?

An evil material creation, a lesser creator called a demiurge, an unreal-seeming Jesus (Docetism), and salvation through secret knowledge.