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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 war do most of Lewis' countrymen believe their nation had a part in starting?

3. What complaint does the writer in the letter Lewis quotes in Part IV, Letter 5, "A Village Experience" level against their local church?

4. What does Lewis believe that the world must place first in order to best understand itself?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. 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?

4. What is Lewis' opinion about Christian literature?

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

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

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

8. What does Lewis find lacking in the "Liberal" or "Modernist" churches?

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

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

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

The theory of humanitarian punishment emphasizes rehabilitation and therapy for criminals. Although many can empathize with this approach, Lewis contends that there are significant practical problems that it can lead to.

1) Explain the humanitarian theory of punishment and how it differs from traditional method of punishment. What type of punishment would most criminals prefer to have brought against them?

2) Discuss some of the reasons that Lewis gives to explain why the humanitarian theory is embraced and supported. What apparent advantages does it have?

3) Explain in detail Lewis' argument against this approach to punishment, and describe the problems that he associates with it.

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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