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5040 Christianity Trivia Questions, Answers, and Fun Facts

How much do you know about Christianity? This category is for trivia questions and answers related to Christianity (Religion). Each one is filled with fun facts and interesting information.
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1 What is the name for the incense burner that is often swung around on a set of chains?
Answer: thurible

Some people refer to using incense as "smells". When a church also rings bells during the worship service at particular times, the same people talk about "smells and bells".
  From Quiz: Religious Paraphernalia
2 This organization was founded by salesmen who wanted to find Bibles when on the road. Who are they?
Answer: The Gideons

The Gideons' goal is to place a Bible in every hotel/motel room at no charge to the establishment.
  From Quiz: Religious Organizations
3 As a young child, the words "God's loving care" was a simpler way of understanding the formal term for it in our Baltimore Catechism. What is the more formal term for "God's loving care" that we later learned?
Answer: Divine Providence

It is good that the term "Divine Providence" was explained by our first grade teacher, in the simple term, as "God's loving care for us". "The "Summa Theologica", by St. Thomas Aquinas, developed the understanding and definition of the doctrine of Divine Providence for Catholic theology. There is much discussion about the most exact meaning of this term in the theology of many Christian sects. A Dominican Father, Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange, updates Aquinas on Divine Providence, in his book entitled "Providence: God's loving care for man and the need for confidence in Almighty God" (1932). As a first grade student, "God's loving care" served us well as taught by Sister St. Richard IHM (Sister Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary).
  From Quiz: Memorizing the Baltimore Catechism
4 According to a literal reading of the Book of Revelation (King James Version), what does the number of the beast signify?
Answer: His name

Revelation 13:17 literally states that the number of the beast is "the number of his name": "And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name."

The number of the beast is mentioned a few times in the Bible, but the actual number 666 is only mentioned once, in Revelation 13:18: "Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six."

Three items are mentioned here - the mark, the name and the number of the beast, with the latter being 666. Some sources interpret all three to mean the same thing - the mark of the beast. Other sources maintain that they are three different things, with the name and number being used to identify the beast, and the mark being something completely different.

Incidentally, people have tried to assign the number 666 to dates (such as the death of Pope John Paul II) and locations (such as the coordinates of Jerusalem).
  From Quiz: 666: The Number, the Mark, the Beast
5 In many cases, one of the first objects of interest seen by the visitor to an English country church will be the lych-gate, a porch-like gateway giving access to the churchyard. What is the original meaning of the word "lych"?
Answer: Corpse

The name comes from the Old English "lic", meaning a corpse. In the Middle Ages, bodies being taken to the church for burial were placed on a bier under the lych-gate, where the first part of the burial service was read, prior to being taken either into the church or to the graveside itself.
  From Quiz: An English Country Church
6 In Catholic churches, one may find a vessel into which people dip their fingers. Then they bless themselves. What is contained in the vessel?
Answer: Holy water

The container usually looks like a small bowl. It is called a stoup, and found near the entrances of the church. A larger object, called a font, also carries holy water, and is used in baptisms.
    Your options: [ A cloth ] [ Myrrh ] [ Pumice ] [ Holy water ]
  From Quiz: Sacramentals
7 How does Paul describe the teachings he gives to Timothy?
Answer: As prophesies once made about him

In Paul's letter to Timothy, the teachings that were given to Timothy were actually instructions for his ministry in Ephesus. In 1 Timothy 1:3, Paul asks Timothy to warn those about various false teachings of the word and to make those aware that men have wandered away from righteousness. Now in verse 18, it says that those instructions and teachings Timothy received from Paul were based on prophesies that were once made about him so that he can fight the good fight. The meaning behind that verse seems to be that Timothy received a prophetic word regarding this during his ordination ceremony. That is primarily the reason behind Paul's instruction to Timothy.
  From Quiz: Christian Living
8 Which denomination was originally founded in 1933 as a radio ministry?
Answer: The World Wide Church of God

The church was originally founded by Herbert Armstrong as a radio ministry, and it came to be known as the Radio Church of God, later the World Wide Church of God (WCG). The WCG once had many controversial doctrines that departed from mainstream Christian doctrine, but many of these were revised by leadership upon the death of its founder. The WCG is now a member of the National Association of Evangelicals and claims over 60,000 members.
    Your options: [ Assemblies of God ] [ The World Wide Church of God ] [ Christadelphians ] [ The Church of Christ ]
  From Quiz: Christian Denominations Part Two
9 In what year did the Book of Common Prayer first come into use?
Answer: 1549

Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury under Henry VIII and Edward VI, was the primary architect of the Book of Common Prayer. When England broke ties with the Roman Catholic Church in 1532, Cranmer was given the task of creating English-language books for use in liturgy. His first effort in 1532 was very conservative, still very Catholic in form, and was merely a translation from Latin into English of books already in use (Cranmer could be accused of plagiarism!). In 1538, after meeting with a Lutheran embassy, he produced the first real English language book (The Exhortation and Litany) for use in Church of England worship. Henry was not terribly keen on it since it was somewhat too Protestant for his taste. With the death of Henry in 1547 and the the accession to the throne of the boy king Edward VI, Cranmer really got going and produced the Book of Common Prayer.
  From Quiz: Praying by the Book
10 Definition: The formal act of a priest or bishop pronouncing the forgiveness of sins by Christ to those who are qualified by penitence to receive it.
Answer: Absolution

There are two methods of absolution - the indicative and the precatory. In the indicative, the absolver uses such formulae as "I absolve you (or thee)", whereas in the precatory, the priest or bishop prays formally that God will forgive a person or a congregation.
  From Quiz: Holy Miscellany!
11 How many fish did Peter catch during the miracle performed after Jesus' resurrection as described in John 21?
Answer: 153

John 21:11 "Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn."
  From Quiz: An Important Animal in Christianity
12 This denomination was once the quasi state church of Virginia. It is the American equivalent of the Church of England.
Answer: Episcopal

The Church of England, or Anglican Church, was also planted in the English colonies. In the United States, it became known as the Episcopal Church, and even today Episcopals are sometimes referred to as Anglicans. In colonial times, the Episcopal Church achieved a status almost akin to that of an established church in both Maryland and Virginia.
    Your options: [ Baptist ] [ Methodist ] [ Lutheran ] [ Episcopal ]
  From Quiz: Christian Denominations
13 The person who swings the incense burner is called a:
Answer: thurifer

From this question and the previous one you have probably made the connection that the root of both "thurible" and "thurifer" is "thur". "Thur" means incense.
    Your options: [ incense distributor ] [ thuringian ] [ thurifer ] [ smoker ]
  From Quiz: Religious Paraphernalia
14 Originally organized in Britain, this group has officers instead of clergy. Have I got your 'attention'? Who are they (with their red kettles)?
Answer: The Salvation Army

Their officers are commissioned to preach the gospel. The kettle attendees, who collect donations, are volunteers often not associated with the denomination.
  From Quiz: Religious Organizations
15 Which group of three books all belong to the Pentateuch?
Answer: Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers

The Pentateuch are the first five books of the Old Testament, referred to in the Jewish tradition as the Torah. Notice the Greek root word "penta," which means "five." These five books are Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.
    Your options: [ Genesis, Leviticus, Joshua ] [ Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers ] [ Numbers, Deuteronomy, Chronicles ] [ Genesis, Chronicles, Psalms ]
  From Quiz: Christianity and the Bible in Threes
16 According to the Book of Revelation (King James Version), where will the mark of the beast be placed?
Answer: Hand or forehead

Revelation 13:16 states that the mark will be "in their right hand or in their foreheads", while Revelation 14:9 states "in his forehead or in his hand", and Revelation 20:4 states "upon their foreheads or in their hands". The use of "in" versus "upon" has led to some interesting interpretations, with some sources believing that the mark will not be literally visible on a person but rather held in the hand or kept as knowledge within the forehead.
  From Quiz: 666: The Number, the Mark, the Beast
17 Still outside the church, the visitor might look up to the roof and see a grotesque carving of a strange creature with a water-spout protruding from its mouth. What is the general term for this object?
Answer: Gargoyle

The word gargoyle is believed to derive from the French "gargouille", meaning a throat. In church architecture, a "chimera" or "grotesque" is similar to a gargoyle but is purely decorative - without the practical function of a water spout.

Gargoyles often take the form of demonic or devilish creatures. However, examples do exist that have been carved in the representation of real people, such as members of the clergy at the time when the gargoyle was made.
  From Quiz: An English Country Church
18 How many books are in the Catholic Bible?
Answer: 73

In most Protestant Bibles, there are 39 books in the Old Testament and 27 books in the New Testament. However, in the Catholic Bible, there are 7 extra books in the Old Testament known as the Apocrypha. Those books not listed in Protestant Bibles are Tobit, Judith, 1st and 2nd Maccabees, Wisdom of Solomon, Sirach, and Baruch. While the Catholic Old Testament has 46 books, their New Testament has 27 books just like in Protestant religions.
  From Quiz: Christian Living
19 Which denomination bears the official name of Unitas Fratrum?
Answer: The Moravian Church

The name means "Unity of the Brethren." The church is also sometimes called the Bohemian Brethren because its heritage began in 14th century Bohemia in what is today the Czech Republic. The church places a priority on both Christian unity and personal piety.
    Your options: [ The Eastern Orthodox Church ] [ The Moravian Church ] [ The Roman Catholic Church ] [ The Oriental Orthodox Church ]
  From Quiz: Christian Denominations Part Two
20 Who compiled the Book of Common Prayer?
Answer: Thomas Cranmer

Archbishop Cranmer drew the content of the Book of Common Prayer from several different sources: the Missal for Holy Communion; the Manual for the occasional liturgies - Baptism, Marriage, Burial; and the Pontifical for those services presided over by a bishop - Confirmation and Ordination. He based his services on those used primarily in the south of England, known as the Sarum Rite or Use of Sarum. In the 1552 version which he produced, he shows the influence that the German reformer Martin Bucer, the Italian reformer Peter Martyr and even his chaplain, Thomas Becon, had on his churchmanship and theological thinking.
  From Quiz: Praying by the Book
21 Definition: The washing of fingers and vessels after the Communion.
Answer: Ablutions

There was a time when this ecclesiastical chore fell to the Celebrant. Nowadays, the lay Communion administrants, sacristan, acolytes or others who are part of the eucharistic team perform this office.
  From Quiz: Holy Miscellany!
22 What is the reference for this verse: "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."?
Answer: Matthew 4:19

This was said to the two brothers, Simon Peter and Andrew as they were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. Jesus said this to call them to be his disciples.
  From Quiz: An Important Animal in Christianity
23 Members of this denomination are usually pacifists. During baptisms, the convert is dipped forward three times, once each time a member of the Trinity is mentioned.
Answer: Church of the Brethren

This baptismal practice earned the Brethren the nickname of "Dunkards."
    Your options: [ Seventh Day Adventist ] [ Baptist ] [ Assemblies of God ] [ Church of the Brethren ]
  From Quiz: Christian Denominations
24 In the normal monastic scheme, when is compline prayed?
Answer: All of these are correct

A chapter in Umberto Eco's masterful novel "The Name of the Rose" is entitled "After Compline" which suggests that the events in it occurred after the 14th-century Italian Benedictine monks in the story had gone to bed.
    Your options: [ After the day's work is done ] [ After vespers ] [ All of these are correct ] [ After supper ]
  From Quiz: Someone Chanted Evening
25 Formed as an outlet for physical activities, it gained notoriety as a song title which encouraged its hearers to form the letters. Please name this organization.
Answer: YMCA

The Village People performed a rousing version of this song that, when I first heard it, thought was a public service announcement for the 'Y'. The initials stand for Young Men's Christian Association.
    Your options: [ YMHA ] [ Luther League ] [ CYI ] [ YMCA ]
  From Quiz: Religious Organizations
26 Some sources maintain that the biblical beast was actually a Roman emperor. Which name in particular is mentioned?
Answer: Nero

The number 666 is believed by some biblical scholars to be a code for the Roman Emperor Nero, who was brutally oppressive towards Christians. He was also alleged to issue certificates (marks) to those people of whom he approved, and those without such certificates were prevented from participating in commerce. A literal reading of Revelation 13:17 supports the idea that numbers were used for a name and that the mark was needed to participate in trade: "And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name."

Numbers were assigned to Greek and Hebrew letters, and summing the numbers resulted in a value for a name. In Nero's case, his name in Greek totaled 666. However, the numbering of letters has also been creatively used to indicate others throughout the ages including Martin Luther, Adolf Hitler and Henry Kissinger.
    Your options: [ Caligula ] [ Hadrian ] [ Titus ] [ Nero ]
  From Quiz: 666: The Number, the Mark, the Beast
27 What objects, found in most English country churches but not always visible to the casual visitor, may have been manufactured by companies by the name of Alfred Bowell, Thomas Mears II, and John Taylor (among many others)?
Answer: Bells

To the casual visitor, the bells are commonly much more audible than visible. Most English country churches will have at least one bell, used primarily to signal the times of church services. Those with five or more bells will often have their own teams of bell-ringers, although sadly some are only chimed mechanically.

Alfred Bowell had a bell-foundry in Ipswich from 1897-1940. Thomas Mears II operated out of the still-working Whitechapel bell-foundry (1810-1844). The Taylor bell-foundry in Loughborough is also still in operation.
  From Quiz: An English Country Church
28 Sacramentals may also include gestures or physical practices used during worship. In Catholic and Anglican churches, one may see members of the congregation carry out a genuflection. What is this?
Answer: Touching one knee to the floor

Genuflection is often accompanied by making the Sign of the Cross. It may be done upon entering or leaving the church, and after receiving Communion. It is a sign of respect to the "Real Presence" of Christ in the Eucharist.
  From Quiz: Sacramentals
29 Which Christian denomination believes that in Holy Communion, the bread and wine is taken along with (but not changing into or representing) the body and blood?
Answer: Lutherans

Lutherans believe that in Holy Communion, Jesus' body and blood is taken supernaturally through the bread and the wine. This has been a mystery for a long time and up to this day.
    Your options: [ Lutherans ] [ Baptists ] [ Catholics ] [ Presbyterians ]
  From Quiz: Christian Living
30 Which denomination was formed in 1957 by uniting the Congregational Christian Church and the Evangelical and Reformed Church?
Answer: The United Church of Christ

The United Church of Christ is not to be confused with the Churches of Christ, which is a loose affiliation of individual churches growing out of the 19th century Restoration movement.
    Your options: [ The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America ] [ The United Church of Christ ] [ The Disciples of Christ ] [ The United Methodist Church ]
  From Quiz: Christian Denominations Part Two
31 How many liturgies for use in worship are there in the Book of Common Prayer?
Answer: 21

The Book of Common Prayer includes liturgies for all services,with special liturgies for High and Holy days like Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, and literally covers Anglican life from the cradle to the grave. In addition to liturgies, the Prayer Book contains a complete psalter, readings for every Sunday of the year and for High and Holy days, a Calendar of Saints, a Table of Kindred and Affinity (so that one knows whom one may legally marry!), a Catechism, the 39 Articles of Faith, prayers for private use, and more besides. My favourite is the Creed of St. Athanasius, which is rarely if ever used in worship (the use of the Apostle's Creed and the Nicene Creed are ordered for Morning Prayer and Holy Communion respectively). The Creed of St. Athanasius is a dandy soporific and I read it when I'm having difficulty falling asleep!
  From Quiz: Praying by the Book
32 Definition: The central content of the Christian revelation, the glad tidings of redemption.
Answer: Gospel

The word gospel is derived from the Old English godspel, meaning good news. John-Michael Tebelak wrote 'Godspell' as his master's thesis in theatre at Carnegie-Mellon University. He was the drama director at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in New York. Tebelak wrote 'Godspell' as a reaction to a very boring, joyless Easter service he had attended. In his words, "It was as though they had pushed Jesus back into the tomb rather than celebrating the resurrection!" He wanted to create something that would express the joy of Easter. At one time, Tebelak had thought of entering the Episcopalian (Anglican) priesthood before the theatre bug bit him. 'Godspell' was originally presented at Carnegie-Mellon, and, later, Stephen Schwarz, who wrote the score and the lyrics (all except for 'By My Side' which was written by two of the original cast members) and Tebelak mounted the show off-Broadway, where it played over 2,000 shows. It graduated to Broadway proper and ran for 527 performances. Since then, 'Godspell' has hit the stage in every part of the world, it seems. Trivia Note: The lyrics for the song 'Day by Day' are borrowed from the Prayer of St. Richard of Chichester (1197-1253) - "O Holy Jesus, most merciful Redeemer, Friend and Brother, let me know you more clearly, love you more dearly, and follow you more nearly, day by day." - which just happens to be one of my favourite prayers.
  From Quiz: Holy Miscellany!
33 Why did Jesus ask Peter to 'go to the lake and throw out his line' in Matthew 17?
Answer: To pay the temple tax

Matthew 17:27 "But so that we may not offend them, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours." At that time, the temple tax was two drachmas worth.
  From Quiz: An Important Animal in Christianity
34 This group of churches has no hierarchy and is a part of no formal organization. Historically speaking, it splintered off from the Disciples of Christ.
Answer: Churches of Christ

The Church of Christ (or Churches of Christ) broke off from the Disciples of Christ in the early 1900's. This happened because some believers objected to the use of musical instruments in worship and to the formation of mission societies. Members of the Churches of Christ do not consider themselves to be members of a denomination, and they refer to themselves simply as Christians. The United Church of Christ is not related to the Churches of Christ; rather, it resulted from a merger of the General Council of Congregational Christian Churches and the Evangelical and Reformed Church. It is considerably more ecumenical than the Churches of Christ.
    Your options: [ United Church of Christ ] [ Seventh Day Adventist ] [ Assemblies of God ] [ Churches of Christ ]
  From Quiz: Christian Denominations
35 What is the proper name for the goblet into which wine is poured for the sacrament of Holy Communion?
Answer: chalice

The origin of the word "chalice" traces from English to Old French to Latin and back to Greek. The root of the word means "cup".
    Your options: [ chalet ] [ wine glass ] [ chalice ] [ goblet ]
  From Quiz: Religious Paraphernalia
36 The canticle most commonly associated with compline is the "Nunc dimittis" which begins "Now, Lord, letteth thou thy servant depart in peace ..." This is a quotation from Luke 2:29-32. Who is being quoted?
Answer: Simeon

The English title for this canticle is "The Song of Simeon." According to Saint Luke, Simeon was an old man of Jerusalem who had been promised by the Holy Spirit that he would not die until he had actually seen the Messiah. When Joseph and Mary brought Jesus into the Temple at Jerusalem to be dedicated, Simeon recognized the Baby Messiah and spoke these verses, indicating that the promise was fulfilled and he was ready to die.
    Your options: [ Anna, the daughter of Phan'u-el ] [ The Blessed Virgin ] [ Simeon ] [ Saint Joseph ]
  From Quiz: Someone Chanted Evening
37 Although thought of as being Catholic, it serves the entire community as an alternative to Goodwill. Please name this organization.
Answer: Society of St. Vincent de Paul

Featured in the story and film, "Angela's Ashes", it offers charitable gifts for re-sale to the general public. The proceeds fund various charitable programs and services.
    Your options: [ St Anthony's ] [ The Pope's Garage Sale ] [ St. Cecilia's ] [ Society of St. Vincent de Paul ]
  From Quiz: Religious Organizations
38 By number of words, what are the three shortest books of the Bible?
Answer: 3 John, 2 John, Philemon

The five shortest books are:
1. 3 John has 219 words.
2. 2 John has 245 words.
3. Philemon has 335 words.
4. Jude has 461 words.
5. Titus has 659 words.
Notice that they are all in the New Testament. The exact word counts vary from translation to translation.
  From Quiz: Christianity and the Bible in Threes
39 Some sources believe that the biblical mark of the beast will be a combination of a physical mark with numbers. What commonplace identification mark, first used in the 1970s, has been suggested?
Answer: Barcode

The barcode became a popular candidate for being the mark of the beast because it was both a mark and a number and because it was tied to commerce, as indicated in Revelation 13:17: "And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name."

Barcodes work by assigning shapes or lines of different widths to each number. Some sources maintain that the "guard bars" (the lines on the ends and the middle of the standard Universal Product Code (UPC) barcode) are the code for the number 6; hence, every barcode contains 666. In actuality, the symbol for the number 6 is similar (even the barcode developer, George Laurer, admits this on his website), but it isn't exactly the same as the guard bars.
  From Quiz: 666: The Number, the Mark, the Beast
40 On entering an English country church, one of the first things the visitor sees may be a font. What would a font normally be used to hold?
Answer: Water - it's for use during the baptismal service

Fonts are not usually kept filled with water except during a baptism or christening. There may indeed be a collection box by the door, but don't worry about your shoes - there is no ban on wearing them in Anglican churches. And churches usually have electric light these days.
  From Quiz: An English Country Church
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