Apologetics Final Exam
In his classic study The Idea of the Holy, German philosopher and theologian Rudolf
Otto coined this term to designate the primary source of all religious feeling in the
common human encounter - ANS- the numinous
Rudolph Otto uses the Latin phrase mysterium tremendum et fascinans to sum up his
understanding of the Transcendent. The word "mysterium" refers to the __________ of
the Transcendent. - ANS- wholly otherness
The author of your textbook makes the case that this question is a transcendent one
that points to a Transcendent Source. - ANS- What is the meaning of life?
Is a particular action morally right or wrong?
What is the truth?
Why are humans restless and dissatisfied with the world?
Ans)All of the above are transcendent questions that point to a Transcendent Source
In Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis concludes that the Moral Law is a sign of a
transcendent power, because, - ANS- The Moral Law is shared among cultures
unconnected geographically and historically.
The phrase "moral law" can be located in every language recorded thus far in history.
The Moral Law cannot be simply based on instinct, because it governs contradictions
among our natural instincts.
Ans) Both A) and C)
Both B) and C)
Which of the following statements best reflects Karl Rahner's argument that human
reason and the reasoned quest for absolute Truth are a sign of the Transcendent? -
ANS- Human reason is structured in such a way that, in our quest for truth, reason
allows us to be aware of our limitations as humans, but also imagining the possibility of
transcending those limitations.
. Karl Marx argues that belief in the Transcendent is just wishful thinking. He contended
that: - ANS- Religious beliefs were fabricated by the ruling classes to keep the
oppressed classes in a passive state.
,In his book Truth & Method, Philosopher Hans-Georg Gadamer argues all of the
following EXCEPT: - ANS- you must fuse your personal thinking with that of cultural
prejudgments to gain insight into the ultimate truth.
The claim that there is no absolute truth (or, put differently, all truth is relative) is itself
a/an ___________ truth claim. - ANS- Absolute
C.S. Lewis contends which of the following: - ANS- There exists a desire which no
experience in this world can satisfy and the existence of this legitimate desire points to a
Transcendent Source.
Nietzsche's quotation, "All joy wants eternity—wants deep, deep eternity," reflects which
TWO of the following? - ANS- His sadness surrounding his belief that there is no
Transcendent Reality
Hans-Georg Gadamer contends that the most thorough worldviews are produced
through: - ANS- a fusion of horizons
Which of the following best describes the Catholic understanding of the role of free will
in human salvation. - ANS- Free will is active in our salvation, in the sense that it
assents to God's offered (prevenient) grace
Scientist Francis Crick writes, "What you're aware of is a decision, but you're not aware
of what makes you do the decision. It seems free to you, but it's the result of things you
are not aware of." This opinion reflects a belief in ________. - ANS- Determinism
According to the author, what is the relationship between Faith and Reason? - ANS-
Reason is ultimately based on faith (everyone starts with a foundation of unprovable
first principles).
In contrast to the materialist faith tradition, Christianity is at its heart a faith tradition
_________________. - ANS- Open to the idea of a Transcendent reality
If "reason" is understood to be broader than just the usage of strict logic, which of the
following is NOT an example of this broader understanding of "reason"? - ANS-
Personal feelings that rely primarily on intuition or "instinct"
According to St. Thomas Aquinas, the act of faith involves both the will and intellect. It
begins with - ANS- Humans' will responding to God's grace
, C.S. Lewis acknowledges that a personal encounter with the Tremendous Mystery that
is God is more real than a theological statement; however, theology and theological
propositions have purpose. He describes them as a/an: - ANS- Map
Which of the following represents the best description of the fideist worldview? - ANS- It
prefers faith to reason in determining truth
We are a product of the physical laws of the universe, and all knowledge of the world
must be assessed through that lens. - ANS- Determinism
Reality is only what we can see and touch and use reason to assess. - ANS-
Materialistic Rationalism/Empiricism
We do have true knowledge of the world, though we gather that knowledge through the
lens of the traditions in which we participate, but recognizing that this knowledge is
always shaped in certain ways by our worldview. - ANS- Critical Realism
Strict rationalism - ANS- Closed to the existence of a Transcendent Reality
Strict materialism - ANS- Closed to the existence of a Transcendent Reality
Strict determinism - ANS- Closed to the existence of a Transcendent Reality
Strict fideism - ANS- Open to the existence of a Transcendent Reality
Critical realism - ANS- Open to the existence of a Transcendent Reality
What are the two paths we have to knowledge of God? - ANS- Reason and revelation
What does Aquinas state is the limit of what reason can tell us about God? - ANS- God
exists
Theology is a science, according to Aquinas. Like all sciences, it finds its starting point
(its foundations) in ____ - ANS- Unprovable first principles
What should theology be able to do in relation to non-believers? - ANS- Prove our
beliefs are reasonable
Which of the following is NOT one of Aquinas' five ways of proving God's existence a
posteriori (from data collected from the world around us)? - ANS- First Being
In his classic study The Idea of the Holy, German philosopher and theologian Rudolf
Otto coined this term to designate the primary source of all religious feeling in the
common human encounter - ANS- the numinous
Rudolph Otto uses the Latin phrase mysterium tremendum et fascinans to sum up his
understanding of the Transcendent. The word "mysterium" refers to the __________ of
the Transcendent. - ANS- wholly otherness
The author of your textbook makes the case that this question is a transcendent one
that points to a Transcendent Source. - ANS- What is the meaning of life?
Is a particular action morally right or wrong?
What is the truth?
Why are humans restless and dissatisfied with the world?
Ans)All of the above are transcendent questions that point to a Transcendent Source
In Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis concludes that the Moral Law is a sign of a
transcendent power, because, - ANS- The Moral Law is shared among cultures
unconnected geographically and historically.
The phrase "moral law" can be located in every language recorded thus far in history.
The Moral Law cannot be simply based on instinct, because it governs contradictions
among our natural instincts.
Ans) Both A) and C)
Both B) and C)
Which of the following statements best reflects Karl Rahner's argument that human
reason and the reasoned quest for absolute Truth are a sign of the Transcendent? -
ANS- Human reason is structured in such a way that, in our quest for truth, reason
allows us to be aware of our limitations as humans, but also imagining the possibility of
transcending those limitations.
. Karl Marx argues that belief in the Transcendent is just wishful thinking. He contended
that: - ANS- Religious beliefs were fabricated by the ruling classes to keep the
oppressed classes in a passive state.
,In his book Truth & Method, Philosopher Hans-Georg Gadamer argues all of the
following EXCEPT: - ANS- you must fuse your personal thinking with that of cultural
prejudgments to gain insight into the ultimate truth.
The claim that there is no absolute truth (or, put differently, all truth is relative) is itself
a/an ___________ truth claim. - ANS- Absolute
C.S. Lewis contends which of the following: - ANS- There exists a desire which no
experience in this world can satisfy and the existence of this legitimate desire points to a
Transcendent Source.
Nietzsche's quotation, "All joy wants eternity—wants deep, deep eternity," reflects which
TWO of the following? - ANS- His sadness surrounding his belief that there is no
Transcendent Reality
Hans-Georg Gadamer contends that the most thorough worldviews are produced
through: - ANS- a fusion of horizons
Which of the following best describes the Catholic understanding of the role of free will
in human salvation. - ANS- Free will is active in our salvation, in the sense that it
assents to God's offered (prevenient) grace
Scientist Francis Crick writes, "What you're aware of is a decision, but you're not aware
of what makes you do the decision. It seems free to you, but it's the result of things you
are not aware of." This opinion reflects a belief in ________. - ANS- Determinism
According to the author, what is the relationship between Faith and Reason? - ANS-
Reason is ultimately based on faith (everyone starts with a foundation of unprovable
first principles).
In contrast to the materialist faith tradition, Christianity is at its heart a faith tradition
_________________. - ANS- Open to the idea of a Transcendent reality
If "reason" is understood to be broader than just the usage of strict logic, which of the
following is NOT an example of this broader understanding of "reason"? - ANS-
Personal feelings that rely primarily on intuition or "instinct"
According to St. Thomas Aquinas, the act of faith involves both the will and intellect. It
begins with - ANS- Humans' will responding to God's grace
, C.S. Lewis acknowledges that a personal encounter with the Tremendous Mystery that
is God is more real than a theological statement; however, theology and theological
propositions have purpose. He describes them as a/an: - ANS- Map
Which of the following represents the best description of the fideist worldview? - ANS- It
prefers faith to reason in determining truth
We are a product of the physical laws of the universe, and all knowledge of the world
must be assessed through that lens. - ANS- Determinism
Reality is only what we can see and touch and use reason to assess. - ANS-
Materialistic Rationalism/Empiricism
We do have true knowledge of the world, though we gather that knowledge through the
lens of the traditions in which we participate, but recognizing that this knowledge is
always shaped in certain ways by our worldview. - ANS- Critical Realism
Strict rationalism - ANS- Closed to the existence of a Transcendent Reality
Strict materialism - ANS- Closed to the existence of a Transcendent Reality
Strict determinism - ANS- Closed to the existence of a Transcendent Reality
Strict fideism - ANS- Open to the existence of a Transcendent Reality
Critical realism - ANS- Open to the existence of a Transcendent Reality
What are the two paths we have to knowledge of God? - ANS- Reason and revelation
What does Aquinas state is the limit of what reason can tell us about God? - ANS- God
exists
Theology is a science, according to Aquinas. Like all sciences, it finds its starting point
(its foundations) in ____ - ANS- Unprovable first principles
What should theology be able to do in relation to non-believers? - ANS- Prove our
beliefs are reasonable
Which of the following is NOT one of Aquinas' five ways of proving God's existence a
posteriori (from data collected from the world around us)? - ANS- First Being
