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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. There is no contradiction between any two statements about the Trinity; thus, we can understand how it is what?

2. Why is this island greater than an island with all of the Island's properties save the answer to number 158?

3. Does Gaunilo believe Anselm's Ontological Argument to be correct?

4. What compels God to complete His original plan?

5. The rational mind is the closest method of approaching who or what?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is the sacrifice of the God-man so important?

2. Was the God-man born with original sin? How does this affect Him?

3. What is the rational mind?

4. On Gaunilo's view, why does the argument fail?

5. In what should we believe?

6. What does Anselm say about Satan and the Fallen Angels?

7. What does the Appendix of Anselm: Basic Writings contain?

8. How will souls be rewarded?

9. Why is Anselm's task of defending the Christian faith not complete?

10. Why must humans be saved?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Cur Deus Homo, Anselm represents his argument in dialogue form.

Part 1) Describe this dialogue. Why might he choose to use dialogue form? Why has he not used it in his other writings?

Part 2) How effective is this dialogue? Explain. How does it support his other writings?

Part 3) What else, besides the dialogue form, is unique to this writing? Why?

Essay Topic 2

In the Monologium, Anselm describes and derives God's other properties.

Part 1) What are these other properties? What does Anselm have to say about them? How are they connected to Anselm's beliefs and previously-discussed points?

Part 2) Why was deriving God's existence an important first property to derive? Was Anselm successful? Why or why not?

Part 3) What are two questions you would like to ask about Anselm's deriving of God's properties? How might he answer you? Use the text to support your response.

Essay Topic 3

St. Anselm's project of proving God's existence is a case of "faith seeking understanding."

Part 1) What is meant by this? How does St. Anselm go about seeking this understanding? Is he successful? Why or why not?

Part 2) Might these writings effectively convince a non-believer to believe, or are these writings purely for believers? Why?

Part 3) How important is understanding to having faith in something? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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