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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Lewis asserts that what is necessary in order to know what is "good"?

2. According to Lewis, Christianity holds what believe about myth?

3. What type of doctrines does Lewis suggest that apologetics be used to attack?

4. What mistake does Lewis claim that Pittenger made in critiquing his books?

5. In Part I, Essay 23 "Must Our Image of God Go?", Lewis argues against what type of an interpretation of the scripture?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did Lewis formulate his theories about the suffering of animals?

2. What is the role of apologetics?

3. According to Lewis' writings in Part I, Essay 17, "Answers to Question on Christianity", what is problematic for Christians about healing the sick, and why is this action acceptable anyways?

4. What argument does Lewis make to suggest that science incapable of invalidating religion?

5. What two premises are necessary for belief in miracles, according to Lewis' argument in Part I, Essay 2, "Miracles"?

6. What is an "animal stage"?

7. Why does Lewis believe that the gospels are not legend?

8. What does Dr. Pittenger say about Lewis' arguments in his earlier works?

9. What does Joad argue in his original 1941 article, "Evil and God"?

10. What is the difference between religion and politics, according to Lewis?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Punishment is of major interest to Lewis. He believes strongly in punishment based on "deserts" and believes that the type of punishment a society metes out can have a profound impact on its character and future.

1) Discuss the nature and importance of punishment according to Lewis. What are its aims, and why must it exist in a civilized society?

2) Explain how Lewis believes the concept of punishment is related to the concept of repentance. Detail any similarities between the two.

3) Describe some of the types of punishment that Lewis discusses in the book and explain how he believes these types of punishments will shape the society that practices them.

Essay Topic 2

Apologetics is the rational defense of the faith. Lewis was one of the premiere Christian apologists of his century, publishing prolifically to explain, justify, and defend the Christian faith, which he believed to be not only good, but true. Apologetics employs reason, logic, historical evidence, and rhetorical techniques to shed a positive light on the Christian faith.

1) Explain the nature and purpose of apologetics. Who is the typical audience for an apologetic discussion?

2) Discuss some of the most common problems for Christian apologists, and the ways that Lewis approaches these problems.

3) Assess and explain whether faith needs to be defended and how appropriate reason and logic are to this endeavor.

Essay Topic 3

Lewis suggests that Christmas is the most important spiritual holiday in the year for many Christians. However, he complains that it has been co-opted by commercial interests, a phenomenon that he views as destructive and undesirable in many respects.

1) Discuss the commercial impact of Christmas according to Lewis and use his arguments to assess whether or not the commercial aspects of the holiday have a net positive or negative impact on the wider culture that they occur in.

2) Discuss Lewis opinion about the impact that the commercialization of Christmas has on Christians and their observance of this important holiday.

3) Summarize the unusual arguments that Lewis puts forward to denounce the commercialization of Christmas.

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