Francis/ Mere Christianity Test

Question 1

What is the goal of this course

Answer 1

Using testimonies from other individuals and accounts from their lives as models of those who have chosen to live as Christians

Question 2

What is the name of the book by francis collins

Answer 2

the language of God

Question 3

Collins described his parents as “free thinkers” , what was their “conventionally modern attitude toward faith”

Answer 3

it just wasn’t very important

Question 4

what ivy league college did his parents meet at

Answer 4

yale

Question 5

What was the name of the experimental community that was built in 1933, at the height of the Depression, as a social experiment to provide opportunities for redundant local miners and farmers where his parents worked after college? *

Answer 5

arthurdale, WV

Question 6

who was the first lady that was heavily involved in this project

Answer 6

eleanor roosevelt

Question 7

After this project failed, his parents worked at a college in North Carolina - what did Collins’ father collect in the hills of North Carolina that are a major part of a collection at the Library of Congress? *

Answer 7

folk songs

Question 8

World War II interrupted this carefree academic life and his father went to work as a supervisor in a factory that built what item for the war effort? *

Answer 8

built bombers

Question 9

After the war, his family wanted to return to nature and bought a 95-acre farm in what state? *

Answer 9

virginia

Question 10

What was the name of the summer theater they started on their farm that still is in operation today? *

Answer 10

the oak grove theater

Question 11

Collins and his brothers were homeschooled by their mother and it was here that he said developed what love? *

Answer 11

learning

Question 12

Collins said that faith throughout his childhood was limited to what type of communication with God? *

Answer 12

childish bargaining

Question 13

What did Collins say was the reason his parents sent him to the local Episcopal church? *

Answer 13

to practice in choir

Question 14

What did Collins say was the “intense satisfaction” he got when studying chemistry, that led him toward a goal of becoming a chemist? *

Answer 14

the ordered nature of the universe

Question 15

When studying at the University of Virginia, the debates about faith led him toward becoming an agnostic - what does that mean? *

Answer 15

someone who does not know whether or not God exists

Question 16

What are the two extremes of being an agnostic that we discussed in class? *

Answer 16

1st Extreme: Intense analysis of evidence. 2nd Extreme: Comfortable position that allows them to avoid considering arguments they find uncomfortable

Question 17

Which extreme did Collins find himself leaning toward? *

Answer 17

the comfortable position

Question 18

What term by C.S. Lewis did Collins use to describe his attitude toward spirituality? *

Answer 18

“willful blindness”

Question 19

While pursuing his Ph.D. at Yale, Collins said his attitude toward faith “gradually shifted from being an agnostic, toward….” what? *

Answer 19

atheist

Question 20

Collins believed in a Naturalist Worldview - explain what this is? *

Answer 20

Everything in the universe basis of equations and scientific principles and there is nothing impacting the universe from outside of it

Question 21

Faith is described as a Super Naturalist Worldview - explain what this is? *

Answer 21

Forces from outside the natural world, impact the natural world (Christianity it is God who created all; Holy Spirit, Devil and sin are forces impacting what happens in the natural world)

Question 22

What crisis did Collins have two years into his Ph.D. program? *

Answer 22

That the path of life held little significance

Question 23

How did a course in biochemistry lift him out of this crisis? *

Answer 23

Because the principles of DNA, RNA, etc. showed him that the human genetic code was precise and ordered. He could spend his life making discoveries in the code that provided benefits to humans

Question 24

After Collins decided to enroll in medical school at the University of North Carolina, what did he say were the four areas that he “loved about medical school”. *

Answer 24

Intellectual Stimulation
Ethical Challenges
Human Element
Amazing Complexity of the Human Body

Question 25

What specific area of the human body did Collins decide to focus on studying after a pediatrician brought patients to class that suffered from diseases such as sickle cell and Down syndrome? *

Answer 25

Human DNA Code

Question 26

When he was in his third year of medical school, what did he find overwhelming when dealing with patients and their families? *

Answer 26

Emotional complexity when forming relationships with the sick, dying and their families

Question 27

What actions by the patients and their families did Collins find amazing? *

Answer 27

The peace that came from their faith

Question 28

When an older patient asked Collins what he believed in regards to faith, what did he say to her? *

Answer 28

I don't know

Question 29

Why did the patient's "obvious surprise" stay in Collins' mind and "haunt him for days"? *

Answer 29

Because the very nature of accepting "not knowing" when against the nature of who he was

Question 30

Why did this interaction result in Collins not being able to "rely on the robustness of his atheistic position"? *

Answer 30

Because he hadn't made a commitment to research the topic

Question 31

After making a quick review of the world's religions, Collins doubted that there was any "rational basis for spiritual belief" and decided to visit who? *

Answer 31

A local minister

Question 32

What book did this person give to Collins? *

Answer 32

Mere Christianity, by CS Lewis

Question 33

What concept from this book attracted Collins immediately? *

Answer 33

That Moral Law was a universal feature of human existence; regardless of their belief system

Question 34

From this concept, Collins realized the behavior of altruism in people is evidence for a supernatural creator - what is altruism? *

Answer 34

Helping others even if nothing (attention, gratitude, etc) is received in return

Question 35

This transformation of belief, combined with his clear focus in medical school, led Collins to be the leader of what international project? *

Answer 35

Human Genome Project

Question 36

Who was the U.S. President that held a celebration of the success of this project at the White House? *

Answer 36

Bill Clinton

Question 37

At this event, what statement by the President illustrated that this accomplishment was a combination of science and faith? *

Answer 37

"We are learning the language in which God created life."

Question 38

At this event, what statement by Collins' illustrated that this accomplishment was a combination of science and faith? *

Answer 38

"We have caught the first glimpse of our own instruction book, previously known only to God"

Question 39

Collins states that the domain of science is to explore ...... what? *

Answer 39

To explore nature

Question 40

Collins states that the domain of faith is to explore ...... what? *

Answer 40

To explore the spiritual world

Question 41

There are polar extremes that believe in only science or faith. Who was the person who said "faith is the great cop-out, the great excuse to evade the need to think and evaluate evidence"? *

Answer 41

Richard Dawkins

Question 42

There are polar extremes that believe in only science or faith. Who was the person who said "when science and the Bible differ, science has obviously misinterpreted the data"? *

Answer 42

Henry Morris

Question 43

How does Collins conclude that faith and science will work together? *

Answer 43

The methods and tools of science bring insight into material existence, while the pursuit of why we exist, what is the meaning of our existence, and what happens when we die are in the realm of our spiritual pursuits

Question 44

what part of the world was c.s. lewis in when he wrote mere christianity

Answer 44

europe, specifically england

Question 45

What was happening in the world at the time C.S. Lewis wrote Mere Christianity?

Answer 45

world war 11

Question 46

The book was actually a compilation of work C.S. Lewis was doing at the time – what was that work?

Answer 46

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) hired Lewis to have a radio show to discuss morality, specifically Christianity to assist the public during the German bombing raids

Question 47

As Lewis addressed the problems of the world, he did not go for the easy answers of blaming ___ or the world’s ____.

Answer 47

technology, religions

Question 48

He consistently wanted to illustrate that the problem was

Answer 48

_Us – the individual’s lack of seeking a personal | change to live for others instead of themseleves___.

Question 49

Lewis used his gift of ___ to come up with different scenarios to help humans understand Christianity and their place within it.

Answer 49

imagination

Question 50

He believed that this would reveal the ___ about our condition and bring us ____.

Answer 50

truth, hope

Question 51

Lewis was a former ___ who wanted others to see Christianity with fresh eyes as he did.

Answer 51

atheist

Question 52

Lewis believed that Christianity isn’t just theology, but a

Answer 52

lifestyle

Question 53

Lewis concludes that the great struggle is not fought on some battlefield, but

Answer 53

within ourselves

Question 54

Stating that we are ALL God’s creation and he asks the question, what kind of ____ do we wish to be?

Answer 54

immortal

Question 55

He begins the section pointing out that when people argue, they form their disagreements around a ___ of behavior that they think isn’t being followed.

Answer 55

standard

Question 56

What examples from nature does Lewis use to give examples of the Moral Law that people appeal to?

Answer 56

laws of gravity and biology

Question 57

What observation does Lewis make regarding societies across the world and throughout history to illustrate the reality of a Moral Law?

Answer 57

Their moral structure is very similar

Question 58

Lewis points out that humans will focus upon how unfair it is when _____ break the Moral Law, but make ___ for the times they do not follow the Moral Law.

Answer 58

others, excuses

Question 59

The first objection that C.S. Lewis received regarding Moral Law being separate from human experience was that it was just an evolutionary __ instinct that humans have.

Answer 59

herd

Question 60

Lewis defined instinct as:

Answer 60

you feel a strong want or desire to act in a certain way

Question 61

Lewis responded that the desire to help is quite different from _____ whether you want to or not.

Answer 61

_feeling that you ought to help

Question 62

For instance, when you hear a cry for help there are two desires that you are likely to feel:

Answer 62

a. provide help | b. stay out of danger

Question 63

What is the 3rd desire that Lewis states comes from outside of your instincts that he states is proof of the existence of Moral Law?

Answer 63

Something within you that tells you that you ought to follow the impulse to help, and suppress the impulse to run away.

Question 64

Lewis points out that the Moral Law, usually seems to be telling us to side with the ___of the two impulses.

Answer 64

weaker

Question 65

An example from scripture of this scenario is

Answer 65

good samaritan

Question 66

Another argument made by Lewis is that if Moral Law was one of our instincts, we ought to be able to point an impulse inside us which was always what we call __ always in agreement with the rule of right behavior. But you cannot.

Answer 66

good

Question 67

Lewis then points out that there are no such things as ____ and ____impulses, rather it is the way we apply them.

Answer 67

good, bad

Question 68

He used what example to illustrate this?

Answer 68

the keys on a piano

Question 69

He concludes this observation with a warning that the most dangerous thing you can do is to take any one impulse of your own nature and set it up as the thing you ought to follow at all costs, because this is the danger of following your own

Answer 69

pride

Question 70

The first objection that C.S. Lewis received regarding Moral Law being separate from human experience was that it was just a social convention that is __ to us by parents and education.

Answer 70

taught

Question 71

He states that this is a common misunderstanding, by point out that some areas are social ____ while others are real ___.

Answer 71

conventions, truths

Question 72

What examples of study did he give of each?

Answer 72

Conventions: Rules of correct behavior Truths: Mathematics

Question 73

The next example he gives of the reality of Moral Law was Moral __: stating that if no set of moral ideas were truer or better than any other, there would be no sense in preferring civilized morality to savage morality.

Answer 73

progress

Question 74

The example he gives, is the moment individuals argue that one set of moral ____ can be better than another, you are, in fact, measuring them both by a ____, saying that one of them conforms to that ____ more nearly than the other.

Answer 74

principles, standard, standard

Question 75

How did Lewis use the example of burning witches to illustrate that the changes in belief and the application of Moral Principle are two separate concepts?

Answer 75

That if there were really witches causing “real” harm, then it was a moral right to stop them. So the fact that there are NOT really witches doesn’t change the moral principle.

Question 76

The basis of Chapter 3 was to illustrate the truth of Moral Law. He states that “I now go back to what I said at the end of the first chapter, that there were two odd things about the human race.” c. First, that they were haunted by the idea of a sort of behavior they ____, d. Second, that they did not in fact____

Answer 76

ought to practice, act that way

Question 77

Lewis states the purpose of pointing this out is NOT to place ___, but rather to find out ___.

Answer 77

blame, truth

Question 78

In Chapter 3, how does Lewis use the example of a stone and tree to illustrate how humans are unique in the struggle of they ought to behave and how they actually behave?

Answer 78

A stone or a tree does NOT act in manner it is “not supposed to” act like. It is uniquely human to know they should act a certain way and do actually do so.

Question 79

The question Lewis asks is that are you seeking to discover MORAL ____ or are you seeking to develop a morality that is convenient for ___?

Answer 79

truth, yourself

Question 80

What is Proverbs 1:7 and how does it teach us to understand God’s Law?

Answer 80

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. When we seek after learning from God and developing a relationship with Him we begin to gain knowledge. The wisdom and instruction we receive matures us and clarifies the purpose of why we are alive.

Question 81

In what manner are you to react whenever you face trials of many kinds?

Answer 81

with pure joy

Question 82

Why does James advise us to react that way?

Answer 82

Because the problems are an opportunity for us to mature

Question 83

How does James advise us to ask God for wisdom?

Answer 83

Without doubt Follow up note: The warning given is that if one asks God with doubt they will be double-minded. Trying to please their own desires by asking God to approve of what they want. Asking God “without doubt” means that you are willing and open to hearing a direction or call to do something you do not want to do.

Question 84

Give two examples of how people react to trials and why you think they act that way.

Answer 84

Fight – blame, argue, etc. So that they don’t have to accept responsibility Flight – avoid, stay quiet, etc. So that they don’t have to accept responsibility

Question 85

What are the boundaries given in James that defines maturity ___ and immaturity ___?

Answer 85

not lacking, lacking

Question 86

Why does James teach that the person in “humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position” while simultaneously stating “one who is rich should take pride in his low position.”

Answer 86

To remind the one in a “high” position that each day is a gift from God and the blessings they have are to be shared with others To remind the one in a “low” position that God has blessed them with a new day and that he will provide for all they need in that day

Question 87

When a person is tempted, is God tempting them?

Answer 87

no

Question 88

How did James explain the method of how sin and temptation takes place?

Answer 88

a. Enticed (tempted) by desire b. They give birth to that desire (they act on it) c. Results in death (because pleasing the desires of the human body is a waste – because the human body will die – and with it any of the temporary pleasures gained)

Question 89

In order to gain wisdom and understanding, James advises that we are to be:

Answer 89

a. Quick to _Listen__ b. Slow to __Speak__ c. Slow to __Become Angry__

Question 90

When James says “do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves” – what command does he follow that statement with?

Answer 90

do what it says

Question 91

What does James state as the type of religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless?

Answer 91

Take care of widows and orphans & do not be polluted by the world

Question 92

Why does this type of religion set you free?

Answer 92

By following God’s command to love Him and others you will | be set free from following the selfish desires of the human mind, body, and emotions