Mere Christianity
How does Lewis say faith and reason are related?
Faith is based on reason (but sometimes emotion gets in the way)
Who is Zacchaeus and how does he interact with Jesus?
A short tax collector who climb a tree to hear Jesus. Jesus invites himself over for dinner and Zacchaeus vows to pay back everyone he cheated, with interest.
Name one of the literary genres that is present in the Bible, explain what characterizes it, and give a Biblical example.
1) Narrative = tells a story, usually with a problem and resolution. 2) Poetry = involves imagery and symbolism; not as literal. 3) Prose Discourse = linear argument meant to convince someone of something.
In Ancient Judaism, what was the mikveh, and what was its purpose?
ritual bath for spiritual cleansing
Name two Bible stories we read that contain earthquakes
Jesus' death and the angels at the tomb
Explain the difference between bios and zoe.
bios = physical life
zoe = spiritual life
Name two stories we read that involve a Samaritan
the parable of the God Samaritan, the Samaritan woman at the well
“Agape” and “caritas” both refer to what? Be specific.
What does Gethsemane mean and what is the symbolic connection between the meaning and what happens there?
Olive press where Jesus prayed and was "crushed" under the weight of his sacrifice, three times, like the olives are crushed.
List two examples of an upside-down Kingdom from the Sermon on the Mount
Beatitudes (blessed are the meek/poor/sad/etc.); turn the other cheek; forgive your enemies instead of retaliating; outer actions don't matter if your heart isn't aligned with them; forgive your enemies; don't swear; don't worry; don't judge; store up treasures in heaven; take the narrow road/gate.
Name and define two cardinal virtues.
prudence = common sense or wisdom
fortitude = inner strength (physical + emotional)
temperance = self-control and moderation
justice = a sense of fairness or equity
Describe two stories we read in which a miracle takes place
Jesus healing the paralytic, Jesus healing the blind man, Jesus multiplying fish, Jesus feeding the 5000+, Jesus rising from the dead
What is another name for the Holy Spirit?
advocate, comforter, Paraclete, helper, Spirit of truth
At what point in the Passover supper would Jesus have passed around the cup of wine and said “this is my blood?”
OR at what point would Jesus have broken the bread and said “this is my body.”
The third cup of Passover (cup of redemption) /
Afikoman (middle bread of 3 that was broken, hidden in a linen cloth, and later found)
Name three Bible stories we read that contain angels
Gabriel's annunciation to Mary, birth annunciation to Shepherds, Joseph in a dream, Magi in a dream, angels at the empty tomb
Explain the Trinity, using language consistent with C.S. Lewis. What does the trinity consist of, and what is distinct about the Trinity?
The Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), is three persons, one being. All have eternally existed and are connected through a "dance" of love.
List three of the places that are a part of Jesus’ birth narrative, and tell us what happens in each one.
Mary and Joseph travel from Nazareth (in Galilee) to Bethlehem (in Judea), where Jesus is born. Then they make a sacrifice in Jerusalem and later flee to Egypt because Herod the Great wants Jesus dead.
Who baptized Jesus, and what happened during the Baptism?
John the Baptist baptized Jesus in the Jordan River as part of a renewal movement, during which the sky opened up and a voice said “This is my beloved son, with whom I am well pleased.”
List three components of a Roman Triumph and the elements of the crucifixion story they correspond to
Began in the Praetorium; purple robe and crown; shouting "Hail Lord and King;" parade to "head/skull hill" (Capitoline/Golgatha); sacrifice and instrument of sacrifice are part of the procession; offered but refuses wine mixed with myrhh; ascension with important people and right and left; power over life and death; await sign from the gods; crowd acclaims divinity.
Name four Bible stories we read in which water is significant
Woman at the well, miracle of many fish, blind man washing in the Pool of Siloam, paralyzed man waiting by the Pool of Bethesda, Jesus walking on water, Jesus washing the disciples' feet
What does C.S. Lewis say are the "three parts of morality?"
1) interpersonal morality (right relations between humans); 2) individual morality (inner moral alignment); 3) rightness with God; discerning general goals and purposes for human life
List the sequence of events that happens on the night Jesus is betrayed. Include three distinct places and the events that happen there.
The disciples & Jesus celebrate Passover in the Upper Room (Essene Quarter). Then they walk to the Mount of Olives. Jesus prays in Gethsemane, is arrested, and taken before the high priest and Sanhedrin. Then next morning he's taken before Pontius Pilate.
How does the Bible Project talk about heaven? Be specific.
God’s space (heaven) and our space (earth) have been separated, but God is bringing them back together. In OT they overlapped in temple, and in NT they overlapped in the person of Jesus. When Jesus returns and brings the “new heaven and new earth,” they will overlap forever.
List three things that happen when Jesus dies on the cross and explain the significance of each.
Darkness covers the land (supernatural, spiritual darkness); earthquake (supernatural sign from God); temple curtain torn from top to bottom (separation between God and people removed); holy people are raised from the dead (God has defeated death); Passover lamb sacrifices are beginning at 3pm (Jesus is Passover lamb)
Name three of Jesus’ disciples and tell us something unique about each of them
Peter (originally named Simon but renamed Peter (rock); denied Jesus 3x); Andrew (Peter's brother, also fisherman); Matthew (former tax collector, wrote the Gospel); John (wrote the gospel; close with Jesus); James (John's brother); Judas Iscariot (betrayed Jesus); the other Judas/Thaddeus (did not betray Jesus); Thomas (doubted). Others: Philip, Bartholomew, James son of Alpheus, Simon the Zealot