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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 great paradox rests at the heart of Christianity?

2. Which of the following does Chesterton say was unheard of prior to Christendom?

3. What does Chesterton say about the teachings of Christ?

4. Which of the following does Chesterton find striking about the story and teachings of Jesus?

5. What does Chesterton call Islam?

Short Essay Questions

1. 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?

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

3. What significance does Chesterton assign to the Christmas story happening in a cave?

4. What importance does Chesterton assign to the "Merry Peasant"?

5. Explain how the Christian creed is like a key, according to Chesterton.

6. 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?

7. Explain what Chesterton meant when he said the birth of Christ turned the universe inside out, or that the circumference had been turned into the center.

8. What important role does Herod play in the Christmas story as Chesterton sees it?

9. How does Chesterton prove that you can determine the beliefs of the church by what it rejected?

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

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?

Essay Topic 2

In the chapter titled "God and Comparative Religion", Chesterton refers to the Book of Job as one of the cornerstones of the world. Write an essay about the Book of Job.

Part 1. What is the Book of Job? When was it written and by whom? Where does it remain as religious text?

Part 2. Summarize the Book of Job, including the content of the conversations.

Part 3. What primary and important topics or themes are discussed in the book? Why are they pivotal?

Part 4. What is your personal belief regarding some of these topics. Do you feel the Book of Job offers valuable and useful insight? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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