View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Chesterton say a newcomer would notice is NOT in the New Testament?

2. What popular belief about the New Testament does Chesterton refute?

3. What does Chesterton say of the doctrine of the Pentecost?

4. How is the creed of Jesus like a key, according to Chesterton?

5. Among whom does Chesterton assert that claims of divinity are common?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain how Chesterton comes to the conclusion that Christ was an intellectually apt and astute man?

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

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

4. Explain the difference that Chesterton sees in the wandering of Christ from the wandering of other philosophers.

5. 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?

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

7. What was the religious state of Rome when Christ appeared?

8. Explain what Chesterton means when he says that Asia is old but Europe is born again.

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Chesterton thoroughly analyzes the meanings behind the nativity of Christ. Pick another scene from religion, life, or literature and do the same with it.

Part 1. Explain the scene and where it came from.

Part 2. What elements are full of meaning? What do they signify or mean?

Part 3. You must have chosen this scene because it has some particular impact or beauty. Why did you choose it? Why is it important to you?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

In the chapter "The Demons and The Philosophers" Chesterton spends quite a bit of time describing aspects of Confucianism and Buddhism. Write an essay about either Confucianism or Buddhism or both.

Part 1. Who was the man behind the religion? When and where was he born? What did he do during his lifetime?

Part 2. What are some of the fundamental ideologies, practices, and beliefs?

Part 3. Do you agree with Chesterton that this set of beliefs is a mere philosophy or is it a religion? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,092 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample