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

2. What does Lewis believe about the birth of St. John the Baptist?

3. Lewis recommends that Christians regard rulers in what way?

4. According to Lewis, why can the church not treat people at "neuters", as does the state?

5. Who was the father of St John the Baptist?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. According to Lewis' writings in Part II, Essay 10, "Modern Translations of the Bible", how do translations of the bible change over time?

3. What reasons does Lewis give to support the idea of women serving as priests?

4. Why does Lewis find it important for everyone to read older texts?

5. Why does Lewis believe that the decline of religion occurring at his time was less dramatic than it appeared?

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

7. Explain some of the problems that Lewis sees as challenges to Christianity in England.

8. According to Lewis' writings in Part II, Essay 2, "Two Ways with the Self", what apparent contradiction exists in Christianity regarding self-love, and how is it resolved?

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

10. What is Lewis' opinion about Christian literature?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Prayer is an essential part of almost every world religion. Lewis emphasizes that idea that in Christianity, many believe that God can be implored to intervene directly in the world, either miraculously or subtly, and that failure to pray can have a bearing on the outcome of an event.

1) Discuss Lewis' opinion about the importance of prayer in Christianity and other major religions.

2) Explain the typical Christian beliefs about prayer and the ways that God can be asked to intervene.

3) Describe the miraculous and mundane ways that Lewis states Christians believe God can and does intervene in human affairs.

4) Discuss the "paradox of prayer" that Lewis describes, and explain how he is able to resolve the paradox.

Essay Topic 3

Miracles are events that seemingly violate the laws of nature, attributed to divine forces, and in Christianity, to the power of the Holy Spirit. Many contend that these events do not occur, and moreover, are impossible. Lewis suggests that the laws of nature are more flexible that they are often represented as being, and that miracles do occur from time to time.

1) Explain the philosophical arguments surrounding the occurrence of miracles. What groups of thinkers have particular interest in them, and what are their stances?

2) Explain Lewis' explanation about experience, observation, and prior commitments regarding miracles.

2) Discuss Lewis' opinion towards miracles and the explanation he gives for contending that they occur with some regularity without necessarily violating the laws of nature.

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