Christianity Quiz

From Persecution to Empire

10 questions

1
point

1. 

The Christian Church from 180 - 313 AD has been called the “Great Church.” Which of the following statements best describes the Great Church? 

a. The Great Church was a network of local churches.

b. The Great Church included a diverse range of beliefs and practices.

c. The Great Church constituted only a minority of the Roman population.

d. The Great Church was largely urban.

e. All of the above.

1
point

2. 

What was the first country to adopt Christianity as its official religion?

a. Libya

b. The Roman Empire

c. Armenia

d. Greece

e. Italy

1
point

3. 

During the Decian and Diocletian Persecutions, many Christians were executed by Roman authorities for refusing to _______________.

a. make a sacrifice to the emperor

b. join the Roman army

c. learn Latin

d. pay taxes

e. All of the above.

1
point

4. 

Dura-Europos was ______________.

a. A Bishop of Damascus who died during the Diocletian Persecution.

b. A city on the ancient eastern border of the Roman Empire.

c. The Christian code-word for Jesus.

d. A fresco and the first depiction of Jesus.

e. A concept within Roman law that justified the persecution of Christians. 

1
point

5. 

Constantine was the _____________ who in 313 issued the Edict of Milan, which ______________.

a. Pope; made Christianity the only religion of the Roman Empire

b. Roman Emperor; ordered severe persecution of Christians

c. Bishop of Carthage; denounced Christians who apostatized 

d. Roman Emperor; legalized Christianity

e. Pope; denounced the cult of the Emperor

1
point

6. 

Historians disagree about many aspects of Constantine’s life, but certain facts are uncontroversial. Which of the following statements about Constantine’s relationship to Christianity is generally accepted?

a. Constantine converted to Christianity.

b. Constantine ordered his troops to paint the Chi-Ro Christian symbol on their shields.

c. Constantine was sympathetic to Christianity.

d. Constantine remained a pagan throughout his life.

e. None of the above.

1
point

7. 

In the early fourth century, the Christianity fractured bitterly. Bishops divided into two camps and fought over the teachings of a man named Arius, a priest from Alexandria. What did Arius teach that became so controversial? 

a. God the Father was eternal, but Jesus Christ was not eternal. 

b. Jesus Christ was a mere man.

c. Churches should not pay taxes to the Roman Empire.

d. People are predestined for either Heaven or Hell. 

e. All of the above.

1
point

8. 

Which of the following statements best describes the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD?

a. The Council was summoned against the Emperor Constantine’s wishes.

b. The Council produced a creed that remains influential today.

c. The Council aimed to solve the Arian controversy.

d. Both B and C.

e. All of the above.

1
point

9. 

Throughout the length of the fourth century, Christian churches, especially those in the eastern part of the empire, came into conflict with one another over which of the following questions?

a. Is Jesus Christ eternal?

b. Is Jesus Christ of the same substance as God the father?

c. How does Jesus Christ relate to the other two parts of the Trinity?

d. Was Jesus Christ ever fully human?

e. All of the above.

1
point

10. 

The bishopric of Rome was one of several bishoprics claiming _______________, but it went further than other churches and insisted on primacy because _______________.

a. to have been founded by Constantine; Constantine died in Rome

b. apostolic succession; its founder, Peter, had been given the keys by Jesus

c. absolute authority over the Roman Empire; it was the wealthiest

d. independence from Constantine; it had hosted the Council of Nicaea

e. apostolic succession; it had hosted the Council of Nicaea