Midterm 2.7

Question 1

What was the earliest Christian document known to be written by a woman, and who was she?

Answer 1

The Passion of Perpetua and Felicity, written in part by Saint Perpetua, a Christian martyr

Question 2

Which Roman Emperor made Christianity a legal religion, and when did it happen?

Answer 2

Emperor Constantine, in 313 AD, through the Edict of Milan

Question 3

What is asceticism?

Answer 3

Asceticism is the practice of severe self-discipline and abstention from indulgence, often for spiritual purposes.

Question 4

Why did some Christians begin pursuing asceticism/monasticism in the fourth century?

Answer 4

With Christianity becoming legal, some Christians sought a deeper, more rigorous expression of faith, distancing themselves from worldly comforts and emulating Christ’s life of sacrifice.

Question 5

What was the order of writings that entered the Christian canon?

Answer 5

Paul’s letters
Gospels
Other apostles’ writings

Question 6

Which council first certified the current canon of the New Testament?

Answer 6

The Council of Rome in 382 AD.

Question 7

Who was Marcion, and what was his vision of the Christian canon?

Answer 7

Marcion was a second-century theologian who proposed a canon excluding the Old Testament and emphasizing only parts of Luke’s Gospel and Paul’s letters.

Question 8

Why was Marcion’s proposal rejected?

Answer 8

His canon was rejected because it disregarded the Old Testament and distorted the continuity of God’s covenant with humanity.

Question 9

What criteria did the Church use in selecting the canon?

Answer 9

Apostolic origin (connection to the apostles)
Orthodoxy (alignment with Church teachings)
Catholicity (universal acceptance by the Church)
Liturgical use (use in worship).