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...According to the Gnostics Trivia Quiz

Heresy used to simply mean "not Orthodox"; Gnosticism may have come close to becoming the predominant Christian sect in the 2nd century. Let's see how much you know about it!

A multiple-choice quiz by howdyitsme. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
howdyitsme

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
283,432

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
827

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Which second century bishop gives us the most information about Gnosticism? Hint

Thomas, the Good

Ignaetious of Caesarea

Diego of Antioch

Irenaeus, of Lyon

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Question 2 of 10

2. What is the name the Gnostics use for their "divine realm"? Hint

unknown realm

heaven

pleroma

sacristy

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Question 3 of 10

3. Who do Gnostics believe are allowed to have salvation? Hint

Only those who follow the rules as described in the teachings

Only those who truly want it

Only those who have the divine knowledge of necromancy

Only those with the spark from the pleroma and the knowledge of that spark

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Question 4 of 10

4. From where does the term Gnosticism come? Hint

from the Hebrew for "understanding"

from the Greek for "knowledge"

no one really knows, but this is how it was described during the second century

it is an ancient word meaning "to the heart of the matter"

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Question 5 of 10

5. As seen through the writing of Irenaeus, a major story of Gnostic belief has strong resemblances to the first tale told in which book of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament)? Hint

Exodus

Isaiah

Genesis

Jeremiah

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Question 6 of 10

6. What is the name of the creator of this earth (as opposed the supreme creator of all) according to Gnostics? Hint

Demiurge

Hermanuetic

Stingoli

Baal

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Question 7 of 10

7. According to the Gnostic beliefs, who is the mother of the creator of the earth? Hint

Elizabeth

Mary

Sophia

Louise

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Question 8 of 10

8. Second-century Gnostics considered themselves Christians. How can this be? Hint

They had the knowledge that Christianity was correct

They were initially Jews who all became Christian

They believed Jesus had the spark from the pleroma

They believed in Jesus because of his miraculous works

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Question 9 of 10

9. According to Gnostic writings as recounted by Irenaeus, why did Judas betray Jesus? Hint

To ensure his own salvation

For vengeance on Jesus

Because he drew the short straw when the disciples were deciding who had to do it

Because he was annoyed that Jesus told him not to do it

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Question 10 of 10

10. Who are the "rulers" of the divine realm, according to the Gnostics? Hint

The Unknowable One and Simoli

The Unnameable Parent and Barbelo

Sophia and Ialdabaoth

Louise and Abraham

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which second century bishop gives us the most information about Gnosticism?

Answer: Irenaeus, of Lyon

This information comes to us from Irenaeus's writings against Gnosticism. Although the Gnostics left many writings, they left but little to explain their beliefs. It's kind of ironic that much of what we know of the group comes from its biggest detractor!

2. What is the name the Gnostics use for their "divine realm"?

Answer: pleroma

This is where the divine sparks (within the true Gnostic person) are heading back to.

3. Who do Gnostics believe are allowed to have salvation?

Answer: Only those with the spark from the pleroma and the knowledge of that spark

This is a basic principle of all truly Gnostic belief.

4. From where does the term Gnosticism come?

Answer: from the Greek for "knowledge"

The Greek word "gnosis" means "knowledge" and the Gnostics felt they had spritual knowledge that no one else had.

5. As seen through the writing of Irenaeus, a major story of Gnostic belief has strong resemblances to the first tale told in which book of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament)?

Answer: Genesis

The creation story is in this writing and closely follows Genesis -- but puts a negative light on the Hebrew God.

6. What is the name of the creator of this earth (as opposed the supreme creator of all) according to Gnostics?

Answer: Demiurge

The Gnostics believe the Demiurge to be evil and therefore everything on the earth is evil. Because of this they strive to get back to the pleroma where everything is good and pure.

7. According to the Gnostic beliefs, who is the mother of the creator of the earth?

Answer: Sophia

Sophia is the Greek word for wisdom. According to the Gnostics, she left the pleroma in error and her son Ialdabaoth stole knowledge from her and used it to create the earth.

8. Second-century Gnostics considered themselves Christians. How can this be?

Answer: They believed Jesus had the spark from the pleroma

This spark was what made Jesus into the Christ and made him able to re-enter the pleroma upon discarding his earthly body. Jesus is the Gnostic revealer of the true realm and likely part of the reason many Gnostics consider themselves to be Christians.

9. According to Gnostic writings as recounted by Irenaeus, why did Judas betray Jesus?

Answer: For vengeance on Jesus

The Gnostics felt that Judas did it because Ialdebaoth, or the Demiurge as he is also known, had enlightened Judas -- but he was not saveable and Jesus had told him this. Judas was jealous.

10. Who are the "rulers" of the divine realm, according to the Gnostics?

Answer: The Unnameable Parent and Barbelo

These two are a kind of mother and father in the pleroma. All things divine emanated from Barbelo.

Source: Author howdyitsme

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor CellarDoor before going online.
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