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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 does Chesterton say about superstition?

2. What parallel does Chesterton draw with the uniqueness of the Christian church?

3. What does Chesterton describe in the introduction as if being seen for the first time?

4. How does Chesterton interpret the title of the book, "The Evolution of the Idea of God"?

5. What personage from Troy does Chesterton say created an archetype and impacted history?

Short Essay Questions

1. According to Chesterton, how accurate is H. G. Wells's concept of the "Old Man"?

2. To what depiction of the cave-man does Chesterton most object and why?

3. Summarize Chesterton's explanation of the battle between Carthage and Rome.

4. What is Chesterton's analysis of symbols such as the circle, the swastika, and the cross?

5. Explain the phrase from the introduction, "...The moment we are really impartial about it, we know why people are partial to it."

6. How well does Chesterton think science is explaining the origins of mankind? Why?

7. What explanation does Chesterton give for the common themes running through world mythologies?

8. How sincere does Chesterton say myths are? Explain your answer.

9. Who, according to Chesterton, are some of the greatest philosophers?

10. What simple truth about mankind does Chesterton deduce from his discussion of the cave drawings? What arguments does he make?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Chesterton uses cave paintings as the basis for a general statement about mankind.

Part 1. Write a brief introduction to cave paintings. When and where were they created? What do they depict?

Part 2. What does Chesterton assert about cave paintings?

Part 3. How does Chesterton use cave paintings as a way to refute some of the scientific theories of his time?

Part 4. What general conclusion about mankind does Chesterton make? What is his logic in reaching this conclusion?

Essay Topic 2

In the chapter titled "War of Gods and Demons", Chesterton states that the struggle for Christianity would have been very different if the Carthaginians had won the Punic wars. In the next chapter he creates a psychological profile of what Rome was like when Christianity arrived. Set the psychological stage for the coming of Christ, as Chesterton did for Rome, for the arrival of Christ if Rome had lost the Punic wars. Write an essay about what might have been different.

Part 1. Describe the civilizations of Carthage and Rome.

Part 2. Summarize the war and the major players and events in it.

Part 3. What if Rome had fallen and became a colony of Carthage? What would have changed in society?

Part 4. How do you think these changes might have affected the arrival of Christianity? What would have been different?

Essay Topic 3

The Chapter titled "The Riddles of Gospel" is about the New Testament. Write an essay about the New Testament.

Part 1. Provide background information about the New Testament. What form does it take? How did it come into existence? How were the books selected? When and where does it take place?

Part 2. Summarize the contents of the New Testament, giving detail for the parts to be discussed later.

Part 3. How are Christ and the New Testament commonly represented in churches? Is this a true representation? Is it a good one? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,200 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample