Bible Test for Syrian Refugees

Last updated on: October 14, 2016 at 11:10 am by Matthew Distefano

Bible Test for Syrian Refugees 2016-10-14T11:10:30-06:00 Matthew Distefano

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Surely, it is quite easy to establish whether someone is a Christian or not. Just ask Presidential candidate Jeb Bush. I mean, there are ways. One of those ways should be for all Syrian refugees who want to enter the United States to take a rigorous test of their faith and their understanding of Scripture.

The Bible clearly states that Christians are to rightly explain the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15). Thus, I believe the easiest thing to do is create an appropriate test for us to tell whether or not we are bringing in Christians, as some have suggested we do. I have compiled such a test below.

Section I: Multiple Choice

Directions: Select the best answer from the given options.

How many books are in “the Bible?”
1. 66
2. 73
3. 80
4. 81
Where was Jesus born?
1. Bethlehem in Judea
2. Nazareth in Galilee
3. Bethlehem in Galilee
Who wrote the Torah?
1. Moses
2. J
3. E
4. P
5. D
6. All of the above except a
How should the phrase πίστεως Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, from Romans 3:22, be translated?
1. Faith of Jesus Christ
2. Faith in Jesus Christ
3. I don’t know Greek
4. I didn’t know that was Greek
According to the Old Testament, who incited David to take a census in Israel?
1. The Lord
2. Satan
3. Satan, working for the Lord
4. Depends on who you’re talking to
According to the Bible, in what way were the first man and woman created?
1. At the same time
2. The man first, then the woman
3. Depends on who you’re talking to
According to the Bible, when will the rapture occur?
1. Before the Great Tribulation
2. During the Great Tribulation
3. After the Great Tribulation
4. The rapture? You can’t be serious…
Who are more right?
1. Calvinists
2. Arminians
3. Thomists
4. Molinists
5. All of the above
6. None of the Above
In what century was universal reconciliation declared anathema?
1. First
2. Second
3. Third
4. Fourth
5. Fifth
6. Sixth
Choose the most appropriate analogy for the Trinity.
1. The Trinity is like water, where you find water in three different forms: liquid, vapor, and solid.
2. The Trinity is like the Sun, where the Sun is a star, is light, and is heat.
3. The Trinity is like a three-leaf clover, where each leaf represents each member of the Godhead.
4. None of the above because all are clearly heretical.

Section II: Read each verse of sacred text. Next to the verse, write whether it is found in the Quran or the Bible.

I will sweep away humans and animals; I will sweep away the birds of the air and the fish of the sea. I will make the wicked stumble. I will cut off humanity from the face of the earth. ______________
And kill them wherever you find them, and turn them out from where they have turned you out. ______________
I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Therefore strike off their heads and strike off every fingertip of them. ______________
All who curse father or mother shall be put to death. ______________
If men get into a fight with one another, and the wife of one intervenes to rescue her husband from the grip of his opponent by reaching out and seizing his genitals, you shall cut off her hand; show no pity. ______________

Section III: Short Answers

Please list as many religious groups as possible whose adherents are going to hell.

Who is the better deity, God or Allah? Why?

What specific action did Phineas do to obtain a covenant of peace from God?

Section IV: Essay. Please exegete the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats, found in Matthew 25:31 – 46. There is no right or wrong answer, as this is a parable and thus, pedagogical. Points will be awarded based on the consistency and detail of the answer.

If this quiz did not have such clear answers, I would have provided an answer key. But I see no need. After all, none of the answers were ambiguous. Interpreting the Bible and theology in general is always cut and dried for any true Christian. Proving one’s own credibility should be a piece of cake.

Also — and I know this will offend some people — I want to point out the justification for a test like this. As we all know from the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats, those who require strangers to prove they are followers of Christ prior to being “invited in,” go to Jesus’ right and obtain “eternal life,” while those who don’t are simply un-American. It is clear right there in the text that this is the way to both welcome a stranger and keep your boarders secure.

Can I get an “amen?”

About Matthew Distefano
Matthew Distefano is the author of All Set Free: How God is Revealed in Jesus and Why That is Really Good News. He is also a Regular Contributor for The Raven Foundation and previous Guest Contributor for Sojo.net. You can find him on his website, Facebook, and Twitter.

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