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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 call the death of Jesus?

2. According to Chesterton, what social point does divinity being born as an outcast make?

3. How is the creed of Jesus like a key, according to Chesterton?

4. What popular belief about the New Testament does Chesterton refute?

5. What practice does Chesterton say that Christ started by his teachings?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain Chesterton's statement, "I do not believe that mythology must begin with eroticism. But I do believe that mythology must end in it." To what was he referring?

2. What possible exception does Chesterton make to the statement that Christendom is unique in the creation of church militants? Why does he say the exception doesn't count?

3. What does Chesterton mean or reference when he says that on Good Friday the best things in the world were at their worst?

4. Explain how Chesterton comes to the conclusion that Christ was an intellectually apt and astute man?

5. Explain the difference that Chesterton sees in the wandering of Christ from the wandering of other philosophers.

6. According to Chesterton what is the difference between the "Christ of the Church" and the "Christ of the Gospels"?

7. What was the religious state of Rome when Christ appeared?

8. What does Chesterton mean when he refers to the Church's ability to rise again?

9. Chesterton discusses the popular notion that early Christianity rose in a barbarous time and place. Explain Chesterton's views on this matter.

10. According to Chesterton, how do Hector and Achilles compare when looked at historically?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Chesterton's arguments that Buddhism is not a religion and does not have ethics, and that the church is unique in its ability to endure social change is thrown into question by Buddhism itself. Write an essay on Buddhism.

Part 1. Write about the historical spread of Buddhism - when and where it was founded, its subsequent existence and spread throughout history, and its various different types.

Part 2. Who was Buddha? Describe the founder of Buddhism and his teachings.

Part 3. Describe the five precepts, or the code of ethics, in Buddhism.

Part 4. Analyze Chesterton's position on Buddhism in light of your research.

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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