World Religions Fall 2001 Quiz #3 makeup 10/25/01Name:______________________

Respond to the following essay questions. Be succinct -- information is much more important than volume. This is due at the beginning of class on Tuesday, Nov. 6.

What is asceticism? How did the early Jewish/Christian view of the body and its relation to the world and the spirit contribute to the growth of asceticism in second century (and later) Christianities? Contrast the Medieval Church view of celibacy and marriage with that of the apostle Paul. To what extent do modern flavors of Christianity maintain the ascetic traditions of the Medieval Church?

How did the first century world in general view the Jesus movement and early Christianity? Did the Romans view the early Christians in the same way as the Jewish community of the day? If not, how were they different? How did the existence of outwardly similar groups (e.g. Jewish messianic groups, Hellenistic mystery religions, etc.) impact the outsider's views of the early Christians?

What was the apostle Paul's view of righteousness and its relationship to faith and obedience to the law? To what extent was his view the standard in the early Church? At a practical or theological level, to what extend do modern expressions of Christianity conform to his view? Try to give specific examples of difference or similarity.