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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. What philosopher does Lewis quote in Part IV, Letter 12, "Capital Punishment and Death Penalty"?

2. Lewis believed that in his time, what was happening to anti-Christian doctrines?

3. Lewis notes that disagreements from Christian history appear small in what context?

4. In the original essay to which Lewis responds in Part IV, Letter 1, "The Conditions for a Just War", what is the final condition?

5. What is Lewis' opinion of church hymns?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why does Lewis believe that a therapeutic approach to crime will lead to tyranny?

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

4. What kind of compulsions does Lewis argue against?

5. What is the problem in the village described in Part IV, Letter 5, "A Village Experience"?

6. Explain one example of the problem with trying too hard to look at a problem "behind the scenes".

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 does Lewis believe that an outside-in perspective is impossible to attain?

10. According to Lewis, how might vivisection be justified?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The title essay of the book expresses Lewis' misgivings about the way that modern man approach the subject of God. Many, especially Materialists, attempt to place God in judgment.

1) Explain what Lewis means by the statement that modern men judge God. Explain the typical judgments that are laid against the Christian God.

2) Discuss the way that Lewis believes the subject of God should be approached.

3) Speculate as to how modern mindsets such as individuality and scientific reasoning contribute to what Lewis views as a flawed approach to the subject of God.

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 discusses the arguments that many have made, believing that females should be allowed to serve the Christian church as priests. He suggests that this reform has been enacted in very few denominations for good reasons, and he cites practical and theological reasons to advise against it.

1) Discuss some of the practical difficulties that Lewis brings up regarding allowing women to serve as priests, and the theological basis behind this restriction.

2) Explain the arguments that Lewis explains that speak in favor of allowing females to serve as priests.

3) Using Lewis' predictions and warnings, speculate about what the consequences would be for a major denomination within Christianity to allow females to serve as priests.

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