Question 1

The Protestant reformers of the sixteenth century

Accepted Answer

The Protestant reformers emphasized individual conscience in Biblical interpretations, which was a departure from the traditional Catholic emphasis on the authority of the Church hierarchy. They believed that all individuals had the right and responsibility to interpret the Bible for themselves, rather than relying solely on the teachings of the Church. There is no evidence that they recommended the practice of masturbation or advocated for clerical celibacy, and they actually placed more emphasis on individual responsibility for sins.

Question 2

According to the interpretation of Paul's writings as presented in the text,the negative views of sex in Christianity come from

Accepted Answer

According to the interpretation of Paul's writings presented in the text, the negative views of sex in Christianity come from Stoicism and Neoplatonism, which influenced Paul's worldview. While Paul does have some negative attitudes towards sex, this is not the sole influence on Christian views of sexuality. The Old Testament contains a wide range of views on sexuality, from approval and encouragement of procreation within marriage to condemnation of sexual immorality. Jesus's teachings do not focus specifically on sexuality but emphasize the importance of love, compassion, and forgiveness.

Question 3

In the Old Testament,how was adultery punished?

Accepted Answer

Adultery was punishable by death in the Old Testament, as stated in Leviticus 20:10: "If a man commits adultery with another man's wife, with the wife of his neighbor, both the adulterer and the adulteress are to be put to death."

Question 4

Protestantism differs from Catholicism in the former's

Accepted Answer

Protestantism places a greater emphasis on allowing individual interpretation of the Bible, while Catholicism emphasizes authoritative interpretation by the Church hierarchy.

Question 5

Much of the teaching of the early Church Fathers of Christianity emphasized that sex within marriage did not violate the canons of the Church,but the type of sex that was preferred was

Accepted Answer

The early Church Fathers of Christianity emphasized that sex within marriage was not a violation of Church canons, but they preferred celibacy. Celibacy was considered a higher spiritual state, and some Church Fathers believed that sexual desire was a result of the Fall and should be controlled or avoided. However, within the bounds of marriage, sex was seen as a positive, necessary act for procreation and the bonding of a husband and wife.

Question 6

Many sexual regulations of the Hebrew scriptures should be seen in the context of the times.For example,during the nomadic period which of the following activities supported the communities' needs?

Accepted Answer

All these choices are correct, as they were social and cultural practices and regulations that supported and maintained the survival and continuity of the ancient Hebrew communities during the nomadic period. Polygyny, the practice of having multiple wives, provided both economic and reproductive advantages, as it increased the number of children and potential heirs, and facilitated alliances and social connections between families. Concubinage also served similar purposes, but with less formal recognition and status. Laws against non-procreative sex were part of the broader sexual ethics and morality of the Hebrew scriptures, which emphasized procreation, purity, and faithfulness within marriage as essential values. These regulations may also have been influenced by the need to avoid disease, unwanted pregnancies, and social disruption in the community. Therefore, a complex interplay of historical, cultural, social, and religious factors shaped the sexual regulations of the Hebrew scriptures, which reflected the challenges and aspirations of ancient Hebrew society.

Question 7

Which Christian writer and authority advocated celibacy for all serious Christians?

Accepted Answer

St. Augustine was a Christian writer and authority who advocated celibacy for all serious Christians. He wrote extensively about sexual morality and the benefits of celibacy, arguing that it allowed believers to focus more fully on their relationship with God. This view had a significant influence on the early Church and on subsequent Christian beliefs about celibacy.

Question 8

Which Roman Emperor converted to become the First Christian Emperor?

Accepted Answer

Constantine converted to Christianity and is known as the First Christian Emperor.

Question 9

During the Middle Ages,his great accomplishment was the Summa Theologica,a synthesis of Christian theology that answered Christians' questions about almost everything,including nocturnal emissions and homosexuality.This person was

Accepted Answer

St. Thomas Aquinas was a medieval theologian and philosopher who is best known for his work, Summa Theologica. It was an extensive and comprehensive work that synthesized Christian theology and addressed various topics, including sexual ethics, nocturnal emissions, and homosexuality. Neither St. Paul nor Martin Luther nor Constantinople had anything to do with Summa Theologica.

Question 10

The source of much of Catholic mortal theology and the Church's position on sex and related issues was formed in the middle ages in the writings of St.Thomas Aquinas who believed that sex

Accepted Answer

St. Thomas Aquinas believed that sex was intended for procreation which reflected natural law. He believed that non-procreative forms of sex did not violate natural law but should be avoided. However, he did not believe that sex in all its forms was basically evil or approved of sex outside of marriage for the husband but not the wife.

Question 11

In the Old Testament,sexual intercourse is often referred to as

Accepted Answer

Having knowledge of someone is the most commonly used phrase in the Old Testament to refer to sexual intercourse. It is used in passages such as Genesis 4:1, which says, "And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain." This phrase highlights the intimacy and deep connection that is meant to be shared between spouses.

Question 12

The movement of the early Christian church toward a more ascetic view of life and especially of sexuality was in large part a result of

Accepted Answer

The excesses of the hedonism of Rome at that time influenced the early Christian church to move toward a more ascetic view of life and sexuality. The early Christians were living in a society that was obsessed with pleasure and materialism, and they saw this as a threat to their spiritual lives. As a result, many of them chose to embrace a more austere lifestyle, which meant living simply, fasting, and abstaining from sexual activity. This was seen as a way to stay true to their faith and resist the temptations of the secular world.

Question 13

The Protestant Reformation in the sixteenth century destroyed the Christian unity of Europe and shook the theological foundations of the Catholic Church.According to your text,in the matter of sexual ethics there were

Accepted Answer

The text does not mention any dramatic changes towards either liberalizing or making sexual ethics more conservative. It only mentions modest changes, which were mostly focused on clarifying the Church's teachings on sexual morality and ensuring that priests followed their vows of chastity. These changes were present in both the Catholic Church and the new Protestant denominations.

Question 14

Dualism is a religious/philosophical belief concerned with

Accepted Answer

Dualism is a belief that suggests that there are two separate entities: one physical and tangible, and the other non-physical or spiritual. In this context, the two entities are often considered to be the body and the spirit or soul. Dualism is not specifically concerned with virtue, sin, morality, or immorality, although these concepts may be related to religious or philosophical belief systems that include dualism. Creation and procreation are also not typically central to dualism.

Question 15

The concept of "dualism" refers to

Accepted Answer

Dualism refers to the belief that the body and the spirit are distinct and separate entities. This belief holds that the body is physical and can be studied through science, while the spirit or soul is non-physical and cannot be explained in the same way. This concept is often associated with the philosopher René Descartes, who believed that the mind and body were separate and distinct entities that interacted with each other.

Question 16

St.Paul assumed much of the responsibility of applying the teachings of Jesus.His general view of sex was

Accepted Answer

St. Paul's letters indicate a relatively positive view of sex, emphasizing profound interpersonal and social implications such as the unity and respect between husband and wife in marriage. He did not view sex as solely for pleasure or hedonistic involvement, nor did he propose integrating it into worship as in the religion of Baal. He also did not view sex as an aspect of national or religious loyalty.

Question 17

To make their religion unique and distinguish it from Canaanite religion,the Hebrew leaders

Accepted Answer

The answer of To make their religion unique and distinguish...

Question 18

Which of the following is true concerning Jesus's teachings about sex?

Accepted Answer

Jesus said very little about sex in His teachings, focusing mainly on love, compassion, forgiveness, and other spiritual principles. His teachings on sexuality were primarily about the importance of fidelity within marriage and against adultery, but He did not go into great detail about sexual ethics or behavior.

Question 19

During the Middle Ages,the Catholic Church allowed married persons to engage in ______ only during certain parts of the year,excluding Advent,Lent,and Fridays.

Accepted Answer

The Catholic Church allowed married persons to engage in sexual intercourse only during certain parts of the year, excluding Advent, Lent, and Fridays. Masturbation, oral sex, and sex with contraception were all considered sins and were not allowed by the Church.

Question 20

_________ refers to the practice of remaining unmarried or abstaining from sexual intercourse;________ refers to the practice of abstaining from sexual intercourse.

Accepted Answer

Celibacy refers to the state of voluntarily being unmarried, sexually abstinent, or both, usually for religious reasons. Chastity, on the other hand, refers more broadly to the state of being pure in thought and act, often including but not limited to abstaining from illicit sexual conduct.

Quiz 20: Ethics, Religion, and Sexuality