2. To the Romans, who were used to hearing about so many different sects and religions, what does Chesterton say was different when they heard about Christ?

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

4. What abyss in the unity of the absolute does Chesterton reference?

5. Which of the following does Chesterton say is the most puzzling and terrifying?

Short Essay Questions

1. How much have historical events aided or been obstacles to the continuation of the Church?

2. 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?

3. How does Chesterton refute the common idea to label Christ as a man who was a great philosopher, or a social reformer, or a healer?

4. What two elements does Chesterton claim the church unites? How does it do it?

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

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

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

8. Explain the logic behind Chesterton's statement, "If the ecclesiastical and dogmatic system is as old as the Pentecost then it is as old as Christmas."

9. Explain Chesterton's view on the role of the mother in the Christmas story.

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay about G.K. Chesterton.

Part 1. Write a short biography of Chesterton. When and where did he live? What did he do professionally?

Part 2. What kind of material did Chesterton write? What are some of his better known works?

Part 3. What colleagues did Chesterton have who are also well known names? Did he influence them or did they influence him? How?

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

On page 94 Chesterton states the following: "And the most ignorant of humanity know by the very look of earth that they have forgotten heaven." Write an essay about the possible meanings and interpretations of this statement.

Part 1. Explain this quote in context of the chapter. To what exactly was Chesterton referring and what did he mean?

Part 2. Look at the quote next in a more general sense. Out of context of the chapter, what meanings might this quote have? Present several possibilities. What are some examples of the "look of earth" that is evidence that heaven has been forgotten?

Part 3. What interpretation means the most to you personally? Why?

(see the answer keys)

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