Q 01/05

The word 'devil' comes from the Greek diábolos, which means what?

A) Slanderer

B) Destroyer

C) Deceiver

D) Burning one

Answer · why

A) Slanderer

Slanderer: Greek-speaking Jews used the word to translate the Hebrew satan, which is how an everyday term for a false accuser became the Devil's own n...

Q 02/05

The Hebrew word śāṭān was originally a common noun meaning what?

A) Tempter

B) Adversary

C) Fallen one

D) Liar

Answer · why

B) Adversary

Adversary: the word was first used of human enemies, and in the Book of Numbers even of an angel God sends to block Balaam's road.

Q 03/05

Which religion was the first to develop a demonology headed by a supreme spirit of evil?

A) Judaism

B) Mithraism

C) Zoroastrianism

D) Mesopotamian religion

Answer · why

C) Zoroastrianism

Zoroastrianism treated evil as a separate principle that God did not create: its good god freely chooses good and a rival spirit chooses evil, the fir...

Q 04/05

In the religion founded by Zarathustra, what is the 'destructive spirit' called?

A) Vohu Manah

B) Mithra

C) Ereshkigal

D) Angra Mainyu

Answer · why

D) Angra Mainyu

Angra Mainyu, known afterwards as Ahriman, is no equal of the creator: he is bound to space and time, and the texts promise his destruction at the end...

Q 05/05

Zarathustra urged his followers to abandon the devas and worship which god alone?

A) Ahura Mazda

B) Marduk

C) Ahriman

D) Verethragna

Answer · why

A) Ahura Mazda

Ahura Mazda, the 'Wise Lord', was to be worshipped alone, and the older gods he displaced, the devas, were recast as demons serving the evil spirit.