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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. Who or what does Chesterton credit with the preservation of the true religion of mankind?

2. Which of the following is a statement that Chesterton makes?

3. How does Chesterton interpret the title of the book, "The Evolution of the Idea of God"?

4. How does Chesterton summarize the substance of pagan beliefs and mythologies?

5. Where does Chesterton say the history of Rome is best understood?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Chesterton's analysis of symbols such as the circle, the swastika, and the cross?

2. Explain what Chesterton was trying to explain with his example of the horse and rider.

3. How does Chesterton refute the statement that prehistoric man "wore no clothes"?

4. To what depiction of the cave-man does Chesterton most object and why?

5. Explain the phrase from the introduction, "...The moment we are really impartial about it, we know why people are partial to it."

6. Who, according to Chesterton, are some of the greatest philosophers?

7. Explain the example Chesterton uses of nomadic peoples to explain the classification of religions.

8. What does Chesterton mean when he refers to the "demons"?

9. Chesterton claims to see the concept of an all powerful God in many pagan religions. Explain his position.

10. What explanation does Chesterton give for the common themes running through world mythologies?

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

The Chapter titled "The Riddles of Gospel" is about the New Testament. Write an essay about the New Testament.

Part 1. Provide background information about the New Testament. What form does it take? How did it come into existence? How were the books selected? When and where does it take place?

Part 2. Summarize the contents of the New Testament, giving detail for the parts to be discussed later.

Part 3. How are Christ and the New Testament commonly represented in churches? Is this a true representation? Is it a good one? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay about the nativity of Jesus.

Part 1. Tell the nativity story, emphasizing the importance of the pivotal parts you plan on discussing later.

Part 2. Discuss the sources and origins of the Christmas story.

Part 3. What do the various elements in the story represent? Do your views agree with Chesterton's?

(see the answer keys)

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