Book II: What Christians Believe


I. The Rival Conceptions of God

Lewis discusses the major divisions of belief in God.

1. When discussing the different beliefs in God, they can be divided according to what? Why does Lewis 
state that Christianity is a more liberal viewpoint than atheism? 
2. The two major ideas about God which Lewis discusses are...? 
3. The major concepts in Pantheism are...? 
4. The major difference between Pantheism and Christianity is...? 
5. One of Lewis major arguments against the existence of God when he was an atheist was that the world 
is very cruel. What was his answer to this question when he became a Christian? 

II. The Invasion

Lewis discusses what he calls Christianity-and-water.

1. There are many people who reject Christian doctrine because it is not simple. What is Lewis' answer to 
this criticism? 
2. There are two views of good and evil that are discussed by Lewis, what are they? 
3. Why does Lewis reject dualism? 
4. According to Lewis' analogy of being in enemy territory, we go to church in order to...? 

III. The shocking alternative

Lewis discusses free will, Satan, and the nature of Christ.

1. What is the analogy that Lewis offers to answer the question of how something can happen that is 
contrary to the will of a being with absolute power? 
2. Do you think it is possible for a creature to have free will and be incapable of doing wrong? 
3. What was the sin of Satan and the sin he taught the human race? 
4. What are the three things that Lewis suggests were done by God to counter the schemes of Satan? Are 
you aware of queer stories in other religions mentioned by Lewis? 
5. What is the claim of Jesus that Lewis says tends to slip by unnoticed because we have heard it so much? 
Why is it significant? 
6. Why does Lewis think it is foolish to call Jesus just a great moral teacher? 

IV. The Perfect Penitent

A theory is proposed as to how the Atonement of Christ works.

1. Christians believe the main thing that Christ came to earth to do was...? 
2. If God was willing to forgive us, why didn't he do so without having an innocent man killed? 
3. How does Lewis define repentance? 
4. Are humans capable of perfect repentance? How does God help us achieve repentance? 
5. Many people say that it was easy for Christ to live a perfect life, suffer, and be crucified since he was 
God. Why does Lewis think this is a silly reason for criticizing Christianity? 

V. The Practical Conclusion

The implications of life in Christ are briefly stated.

1. Lewis states that according to Christian belief, by sharing in the humility and suffering of Christ we shall 
share in...? 
2. Lewis states that being a Christian is more than just mental belief, it involves the physical activities of...? 
3. According to Lewis, doing good in order to appease God is not the reason Christians do good . Rather, 
any good that a Christian does is a result of...? 
4. Lewis admits to having been puzzled by the idea that the new life is confined to Christians only. What is 
his answer to this question? 
5. Another objection that Lewis sites is the question of why God does not deal openly and decisively with 
the Devil. What is his answer to this question?