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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 describe in the introduction as if being seen for the first time?

2. What does Chesterton say is the relationship between reason and religion?

3. What connection does Chesterton make between the boy and the cave-man?

4. What does Chesterton say of the more advanced non-western cultures?

5. What does Chesterton label as the biggest weakness of science in trying to understand the origins of man?

Short Essay Questions

1. In the chapter titled "The War of the Gods and Demons", who are the Gods and who are the Demons? Why does Chesterton label them as such?

2. Chesterton claims to see the concept of an all powerful God in many pagan religions. Explain his position.

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

4. What parallel does Chesterton make between social structure and cannibalism? Explain.

5. Explain what Chesterton was trying to explain with his example of the horse and rider.

6. What does Chesterton mean when he refers to the "demons"?

7. Chesterton says he wants to reclassify religions. What does he mean and how does he intend to do it?

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

9. How does Troy and the Iliad enter into Chesterton's argument?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Chesterton thoroughly analyzes the meanings behind the nativity of Christ. Pick another scene from religion, life, or literature and do the same with it.

Part 1. Explain the scene and where it came from.

Part 2. What elements are full of meaning? What do they signify or mean?

Part 3. You must have chosen this scene because it has some particular impact or beauty. Why did you choose it? Why is it important to you?

Essay Topic 2

In the chapter titled "The Witness of the Heretics" Chesterton talks about Mary Baker Eddy and Christian Science. Write an essay about Christian Science and its founder.

Part 1. Write a short biography of Mary Baker Eddy and what led her to create Christian Science.

Part 2. Provide details about the beginning of Christian Science, including its inception and founding ideologies.

Part 3. How widely is Christian Science practiced today? Explain the spread and evolution of Christian Science.

Essay Topic 3

In the chapter "The Demons and The Philosophers" Chesterton spends quite a bit of time describing aspects of Confucianism and Buddhism. Write an essay about either Confucianism or Buddhism or both.

Part 1. Who was the man behind the religion? When and where was he born? What did he do during his lifetime?

Part 2. What are some of the fundamental ideologies, practices, and beliefs?

Part 3. Do you agree with Chesterton that this set of beliefs is a mere philosophy or is it a religion? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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