5. Lewis suggests that Christians attempting to communicate with the outside world should use which of the following in their speaking and writing styles?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain one example of the problem with trying too hard to look at a problem "behind the scenes".

2. What problem does Lewis identify in the rules discussed in Part IV, Letter 1, "Conditions for a Just War"?

3. According to Lewis' writings in Part II, Essay 1, "Dangers of National Repentance", what dangers does national repentance present?

4. What practical reasons does Lewis give to reject the idea of women serving as priests?

5. According to Lewis' writings in Part II, Essay 10, "Modern Translations of the Bible", how do translations of the bible change over time?

6. Why is Lewis opposed to the commercialism of Christmas?

7. What does Lewis find lacking in the "Liberal" or "Modernist" churches?

8. Explain the logical fallacy that Lewis cautions against in Part III, Essay 3, "The Sermon and the Lunch"?

9. Why did Lewis believe that the Nazi emphasis on Nordic myth was absurd?

10. According to Lewis, how might vivisection be justified?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Lewis suggests that one of the major reasons that women should not serve as priests is because one of a priest's roles is to represent God on earth, and the Christian God has apparently asked, through Jesus Christ and the prophets of the Old Testament, to be referred to as a man. The concept of a perfect divine begin having or desiring to be thought of as having a gender is a strange one, but Lewis contends that it is supportable.

1) Discuss the importance of masculinity in the Christian church. What elements of the church as essentially masculine or patriarchal and would be dramatically different without the masculine interpretation of God.

2) Describe some of the behaviors that the Christian God exhibits according to Lewis' assessments in the book which support the concept of God being more masculine than feminine.

3) Explain the evidence that supports the concept that the Christian God desires to be thought of as a man. Assess the strength of the evidence and other possible interpretations of it.

4) Speculate as to why an all-powerful divine being might prefer to be thought of as being one gender or another.

Essay Topic 2

The title essay of the book expresses Lewis' misgivings about the way that modern man approach the subject of God. Many, especially Materialists, attempt to place God in judgment.

1) Explain what Lewis means by the statement that modern men judge God. Explain the typical judgments that are laid against the Christian God.

2) Discuss the way that Lewis believes the subject of God should be approached.

3) Speculate as to how modern mindsets such as individuality and scientific reasoning contribute to what Lewis views as a flawed approach to the subject of God.

Essay Topic 3

Lewis discusses the arguments that many have made, believing that females should be allowed to serve the Christian church as priests. He suggests that this reform has been enacted in very few denominations for good reasons, and he cites practical and theological reasons to advise against it.

1) Discuss some of the practical difficulties that Lewis brings up regarding allowing women to serve as priests, and the theological basis behind this restriction.

2) Explain the arguments that Lewis explains that speak in favor of allowing females to serve as priests.

3) Using Lewis' predictions and warnings, speculate about what the consequences would be for a major denomination within Christianity to allow females to serve as priests.

(see the answer keys)

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