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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. A Christian political party would lack which of the following?

2. Lewis states that the opinion that only experts should read old literature is very common in what field?

3. Lewis advocates therapy for criminal offenders of what type?

4. How does Lewis feel about a program of study that would be applicable for all Christians?

5. Lewis argues that observing things from the "inside" is which of the following?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Lewis feel about the Anglican church allowing Catholic-like invocation of the saints?

2. What is Bulverism?

3. According to Lewis' writings in Part II, Essay 1, "Dangers of National Repentance", what dangers does national repentance present?

4. What theological reasons does Lewis give to reject the idea of women serving as priests?

5. What problem does Lewis identify in the rules discussed in Part IV, Letter 1, "Conditions for a Just War"?

6. Why does Lewis reject the creation of a Christian political party?

7. According to Lewis' writings in Part II, Essay 15, "Before We Can Communicate", what challenges do Christians face in dealing with non-believing Englishmen?

8. What is Lewis' opinion about Christian literature?

9. Why is Lewis opposed to the commercialism of Christmas?

10. Why did Lewis believe that the Nazi emphasis on Nordic myth was absurd?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Dogma is the more or less unchanging set of beliefs and rules that establish and maintain a religion's identity. Although often vehemently despised by materialist thinkers and liberal churches, Lewis contends that dogma is an important component of faith and essential for a mature religion.

1) Explain what dogma is, especially in the Christian church, and how and why is remains unchanging. Explain one element of Christian dogma that has not changed significantly in a very long time.

2) Discuss the problems that outsiders, liberal thinkers, and materials have with dogma.

3) Explain how dogma aids a religion in maintaining its cohesion, and explain Lewis' suggestion that dogma's unchanging nature is a strength, and not a weakness.

Essay Topic 2

Lewis explains that "witnessing" is the Christian practice of sharing the "good news" as expressed by Jesus in the New Testament with those who are outside of the church, attempting to educate and convert them to the Christian faith. Lewis contends that Christians are specifically commanded to pursue this practice, and that failure to do so has serious consequences for themselves and those they fail to convert.

1) Explain the concept of witnessing within the Christian church that Lewis describes. Explain its practices, aims, and target audience.

2) Discuss Lewis' view on the importance of witnessing for Christians.

3) Describe some of the difficulties that Christians experienced in "witnessing" in England in Lewis' time, and discuss techniques that Lewis recommends in order to surmount these difficulties.

Essay Topic 3

Bulverism is the flawed argumentative technique of assuming that the opponent is wrong and then merely explaining how that person came to that flawed belief. Although this technique may sway audiences, and even cause a person to question their beliefs, it does nothing to determine the relative truth of an issue.

1) Explain the concept of Bulverism, how it is employed, and why it is flawed as a method of argument.

2) Discuss some of the common uses of Bulverism in debate, including a discussion of particular subjects that are especially vulnerable to this type of attack.

3) Speculate as to why a person might resort to Bulverism, and whether or not one who argues in this way is arguing honestly and in good faith.

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