History · General Awareness

History of Religion

2,350 Questions

The history of religion tracks the evolution of major faiths, religious movements, and their influence on global conflicts. These historical themes are integral to the general awareness syllabus of civil services and staff selection exams. The questions explore the Protestant Reformation, Counter-Reformation, the Crusades, and papal influences.

Protestant ReformationCounter-ReformationThe CrusadesReligious settlementsRoman Empire and ChristianityHumanism in religion

History of Religion Questions

Multiple choice history the reformation reformation reformation in europe reformation and enlightenment in europe

The supporters of Martin Luther were called _____.

  1. Reformationists

  2. Protestants

  3. Catholics

  4. None of these

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Martin Luther King was one of the most important leaders of the changes that took place within Christianity in Europe. He felt that several practices in the Roman Catholic Church went against the teachings of the Bible. His supporters were known as Protestants. He encouraged the use of the language of ordinary people rather than Latin. He translated the Bible into German.

Multiple choice history the reformation reformation reformation in europe reformation and enlightenment in europe

In his writings, Martin Luther King questioned the authority and relevance of the _____ and church councils.

  1. King

  2. Queen

  3. Pope

  4. Priest

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Martin Luther questioned the authority of church as well as pope because they have taken up enormous power and wealth,not providing any relief to common man just spreading corruption.

Multiple choice history the reformation reformation reformation in europe reformation and enlightenment in europe

_____ was responsible for the Protestant Reformation.

  1. John Huss

  2. Martin Luther

  3. Huldrych Zwingli

  4. John Calvin

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Because of corruption in the Catholic Church, some people felt that there was a need to change the way it worked. With Martin Luther's posting of the 95 theses at Wittenberg in the year, 1517  the Protestant Reformation started. 

Multiple choice history the reformation reformation reformation in europe reformation and enlightenment in europe

Reformation was initiated by which of the following great personalities?

  1. William Shakespeare

  2. Dante

  3. Martin Luther

  4. Michaelangelo

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Reformation was initiated by Martin Luther who was a German priest. He was also a professor of theology. He was known for carrying out the Protestant movement which was against atrocities carried out by catholic heads under the name of Church.

Multiple choice history the reformation reformation reformation in europe reformation and enlightenment in europe

In the 95 theses, Martin Luther specifically did which of the following?

  1. Questioned the authority of the Bible

  2. Stated that bishops could give salvation

  3. Criticised the selling of indulgences

  4. Showed that faith was inconsequential for getting into heaven

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

In 1517, Martin Luther wrote 95 theses criticising Roman Catholic Church. The 95 Theses is a proposition for debate concerned with the questioning of indulgences. Indulgences were pardon certificates granted by the Pope to those who gave money to build the church. 

Multiple choice history the reformation reformation reformation in europe reformation and enlightenment in europe

Which of the following statements about Liberals in 19th century Europe are correct?
I. They favoured the Catholic Church
II. They opposed dynastic rule with unlimited power
III. They were democrats
IV. They did not want any voting rights for women

  1. I, II and III

  2. I, II and IV

  3. II and IV

  4. III and IV

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Statement III and IV are correct.So Option D is right answer.

III. Liberals were democrats.
IV. They did not want any voting right for women.They believed that each individual has inherent rights.Each citizen should be able to work independently.They also favored all the religions but they did not believe in giving powers to women.They were against the voting rights for women.

Multiple choice history the reformation reformation reformation in europe reformation and enlightenment in europe

It is mere human talk to preach that the soul flies out of purgatory immediately when the money clinks in the collection box. Which of the following religious leaders most likely made the statement above?

  1. John Calvin

  2. Ignatius of Loyola

  3. Martin Luther

  4. John Knox

  5. Ulrich Zwingli

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

This statement was made by the religious leader Martin Luther.

Multiple choice history the reformation reformation reformation in europe reformation and enlightenment in europe

_________, heralded as the "Morning star of the Reformation" was the leading philosopher of the 14th century and an English priest. Fill the blank with appropriate option.

  1. John Huss

  2. John Wycliffe

  3. D. Erasmus

  4. Martin Luther

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Planet Venus which is often visible before sunrise is called Morningstar. Likewise, John Wycliffe, who lived hundred years before Martin Luther was born, is heralded as the Morning Star of the Reformation. Wycliffe made sincere efforts to take the Bible to every hand at a time when translating Bible to a common language was forbidden by Roman Catholic Law. It was a precursor to the upcoming protests which eventually destabilized the entire set up of Roman Catholic Church.

Multiple choice history the reformation reformation reformation in europe reformation and enlightenment in europe

John Wycliffe was condemned by the church and died of a stroke on New Year's Eve in which of the following year?

  1. 1364

  2. 1384

  3. 1383

  4. None of the above

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

John Wycliffe was a theologian, philosopher, and translator. He had challenged the authority of the church and pope due to which was condemned by the church. He suffered a stroke on Dec 28, 1384, And died three days later on Jan 31, 1384.

Multiple choice history the reformation reformation reformation in europe reformation and enlightenment in europe

Which of the following was an outcome of protestant reformation?

  1. Division between religious sects

  2. Increased power of Catholic Church

  3. Decrease in amount of Presbyterians

  4. Dominance of Anglican Church in Rome

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Martin Luther rejected the teachings of the Catholic church. In the year 1517, he expressed his opposition against the church for selling the confession letters also known as indulgences. Since Martin Luther protested against the evil practices of the church, the Reformation came to be known as the Protestant Reformation and his followers came to be known as Protestants. 

Multiple choice history the reformation reformation reformation in europe reformation and enlightenment in europe

The Swiss city-state of Geneva became a model of Protestant morality under the leadership of which of the following leaders?

  1. John Calvin

  2. Ulrich Zwingli

  3. Martin Luther

  4. All of these

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

John Calvin was a French by birth who fled to Switzerland to protest against the papal order. He wrote a book called 'Institutes of Christian Religion.' He founded the Puritan sect. He shared a lot of similarities with Martin Luther. 

Multiple choice history the reformation reformation reformation in europe reformation and enlightenment in europe

All of the following causes have been considered causes for the protestant reformation except which of the following?

  1. The selling of indulgences

  2. Resentment of Pope's power

  3. A desire for monarch to centralise power

  4. A belief that bible was more important than powerful clergy

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The sale of indulgences was started by Pope  Leo X in order to construct the St.Peter's church. He issued pardon certificates to those who gave money to build the church. The people were deceived by him. Pope's interference in the political affairs was naturally resented by the kings. They strongly supported the Reformation Movement in order to weaken the church. John Wycliffe, an English priest laid emphasis on the Bible as the sole guide for salvation. 

Multiple choice history the reformation reformation reformation in europe reformation and enlightenment in europe

What is one belief Luther held that differed from Catholic Church practices?

  1. He believed the Church should sell more indulgences

  2. He opposed translating the Bible

  3. He believed Christians could be saved only by faith

  4. All of these

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Martin Luther was a German philosopher, priest, monk and was considered as ‘Father of Protestantism.  He believed that faith alone was the way to seek salvation. By faith, he meant, faith in the Bible. 

Multiple choice history the reformation reformation reformation in europe reformation and enlightenment in europe

Who wrote "Ninety five Theses" criticising many of the practices and rituals of the Roman Catholic Church?

  1. Martin Luther

  2. Thomas Pain

  3. J.V. Schley

  4. Richard M. Hoe

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Ninety-five Theses is a list of questions and propositions for debate written in 1517 by Martin Luther. On October 31, 1517, Luther nailed a copy of his 95 Theses to the door of the Wittenberg Castle church which marked the beginning of the Protestant revolution.