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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 is Lewis' stance on compulsory religious activity?

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

3. One of the lectures presented in Part II, Essay 5, "Two Lectures" suggests that evolution is what?

4. One theory about ethics and philosophy is that they grew out of what?

5. Lewis suggests that Christians attempting to communicate with the outside world should use which of the following in their speaking and writing styles?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why is Lewis opposed to giving all men a "right to happiness"?

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

4. 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?

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

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

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

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

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

10. According to Lewis, how do most modern people approach the subject of God, and how should the subject be approached?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Lewis concedes that animal pain is a major problem for theist belief. Although there are many classical arguments to explain the experience of pain by humans, who are able to learn and grow as a result of suffering, there are very few ways to explain the necessity for animals to suffer.

1) Summarize the "problem of pain" for Christianity specifically and for theist belief as a whole that Lewis outlines. Explain how Lewis resolves this problem in the case of human beings.

2) Discuss why the experience of pain by animals remains problematic for Christian apologists.

3) Describe Lewis' theory of "animal stages" and how it acts to explain away some of the problem of animal pain.

Essay Topic 2

Lewis explains that self-love is a complicated subject for Christians. He states that Jesus' commandment to "love thy neighbor as yourself" is an important contribution of the faith, and it implicitly encourages love of the self. However, he suggests that Christians are also commanded to avoid excessive greed, worldliness, and other symptoms of self-love.

1) Explain the reasons that Lewis gives to suggest that Christians are conflicted over the subject of self love, and discuss why this conflict is more prevalent in Christianity than in other faiths.

2) Discuss some of the dangers that Lewis explains that Christians face in practicing either excessive or insufficient self-love.

3) Explain Lewis' opinion on the subject of self-love within Christianity and discuss the way that he believes Christians should resolve this problem.

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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