Part A -
Please use the following book for this assignment: Kushner, H. (2002). When all you've ever wanted isn't enough: The search for a life that matters. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster.
Question 1: We assume that happiness is having no commitments. Kushner argues that this:
is what makes us truly free.
will allow us to do what we want when we want.
guarantees leisure time, which is a necessary ingredient to happiness.
leads to no responsibility, which means having no meaning in life; it is a recipe for no happiness.
Question 2: For the paganism of ancient Greek culture, God was manifest in the rain, the harvest, the cycles of the seasons, and in the form and the fertility of:
the crops in the field.
the earth itself.
human bodies.
the beasts of the field.
Question 3: Kushner argues that religion is not a nagging parent. Instead, religion is a:
code of moral conduct.
road to eternal life.
refining fire.
free ticket to heaven.
Question 4: When I protect myself against a the danger of loss (by death, divorce, or just having a close friend move away) by teaching myself not to care, not to let anyone get too close to me, I:
will ensure that happiness is the only thing in my life.
will experience life in all of its fullness without the distraction of pain.
will know nothing but the good.
lose part of my soul.
Question 5: To Kushner, viewing the human body and the whole natural world with disgust is as misguided a belief as viewing them:
with unqualified reverence.
in a perspective where the human body has worth, but the natural world can be discarded.
as God's very body.
as being given to the human just to be used by the human.
Question 6: For Kushner, authentic religion is summed up:
with living by the commandments and going to heaven.
not with the words "Follow me," but with the words, "Go Forth."
eating, drinking, and finding enjoyment with your work.
living a simple life with only what one needs.
Question 7: Kushner writes, "Ecclesiastes, grown too old and cynical for a life of pleasure, turned to philosophy in an effort to discover the meaning of life, and found himself 'understanding' life:
and pondering its beauty."
in order to live it with true meaning."
instead of living like a fool."
instead of living it."
Question 8: Kushner argues that when the Bible says, "The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom," fear:
does not mean being afraid of God but holding awe and respect for God.
means never making a wrong step before God.
is the motivation behind keeping the commandments, which is the only wise way to live life.
is what should drive one to get an education.
Question 9: Kushner claims that God:
helps those who help themselves.
looks out for number one.
looks out for the welfare of those least able to care for themselves.
stays above and removed from human affairs.
Question 10: To see the goal of life as "winning" forces us to see other people as:
teammates.
competitors, threats to our happiness.
spectators judging our every move.
coaches calling all the plays for us.
Part B -
Please use the following book for this assignment: Kushner, H. (2002). When all you've ever wanted isn't enough: The search for a life that matters. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster.
Question 1: Kushner writes that the phrase "only human" should never be used as an excuse for all of the following EXCEPT:
having limitations on our knowledge and understanding.
being lazy.
being careless.
being selfish.
Question 2: The good life - the truly human life is based:
on the accumulation of love and wealth.
on the opportunities to share leisure with loved ones.
not on wealth but on happiness.
not on a few great moments but on many, many little ones.
Question 3: When we have truly learned to live,:
we will not need religion anymore.
we will always be happy.
we will not need to look for rewards in some other life.*
we will know no more pain.
Question 4: "Nobody on his deathbed ever said,"
'I wish I had spent more time with my family.'"
'I love you,' to his/her family and friends."
'I wish I had seen more of the world.'"
'I wish I had spent more time on my business.'"
Question 5: The challenge of life is:
to become great.
to find something truly human to do every day of our lives.
to find the proper balance of work, play, and sleep.
to follow the Ten Commandments every day of our lives.
Question 6: Kushner argues that we all teach, officially or unofficially. Why does he say we do this?
Because we need to share
Because we like the power it gives us over others
Because it makes us feel superior to another
Because we get tired of being students
Question 7: Kushner writes, "If logic tells us that life is a meaningless accident, says Ecclesiastes at the end of his journey, don't give up on:
Logic. Give up on life."
God. Give up on the devil."
Love. Give up on hate."
Life. Give up on logic."
Question 8: Sometimes in life we have to become:
less to be more.
more to be less.
more to be more.
less to be less.
Question 9: Which of the following is NOT one of three things that Kushner argues we must have and do in order to feel we have lived life and not wasted it?
Belong to people
Look out for number one
Accept pain as a part of your life
Know that you have made a difference
Question 10: What does Kushner argue that God has done to suggest raising our life above mere existence?
Created us in God's own image
Commanded us
Made us from the dust of the earth
Made us mortal
Question 11: Kushner writes about becoming less to become more and that becoming less means giving up "the dream." What dream have you had about your life that you have had or may have to give up? Answer in 200 Words.
Question 12: What makes you feel fully human? Answer in 200 Words.
Part C -
Please use the following book for this assignment: Kushner, H. (2002). When all you've ever wanted isn't enough: The search for a life that matters. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster.
Question 1: When it comes to the sacred and the secular, our editors believe that:
they are enemies and are in a culture war.
they can inform, enrich, deepen, and correct each other.
they have the effect of cancelling each other out.
they have nothing do to with each other and should each leave the other alone.
Question 2: Defining myself means:
doing what feels good to me.
not letting anyone else influence me at all.
finding what is significant in my difference from others.
finding what is best in me.
Question 3: Reasoning in moral matters is always:
consulting a moral theory.
something best done alone.
reasoning with somebody.
a religious matter.
Question 4: George Herbert Mead calls those who matter to us:
"Significant others."
"Loved ones."
"Life partners."
"Deepest influences."
Question 5: The editors of Leading Lives that Matter assume that many people today desire:
happiness.
success.
to lead lives that matter and are significant.
nothing but good for themselves.
Question 6: Schweitzer went to equatorial Africa because, according to the missionary society's reports,:
it was among the most beautiful places on earth.
it was a place where medical care was the most urgent of its needs.
it was inhabited by very friendly people.
it was one of the best climates on earth.
Question 7: Taylor defines "self-determining freedom" as:
doing what I want when I want.
the idea that I am free when I decide for myself what concerns me, rather than being shaped by external influences.
the pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness.
deciding for myself what is right and wrong.
Question 8: What is PTEV?
Program To Educate about Vocation
Program for the Theological Exploration of Vocation
People Thoroughly Educated about Vocation
Parents and Teachers for the Education of Vocation
Question 9: In his student days, Schweitzer had thought long about the fact that:
science and religion could not seem to be reconciled.
his life as a scholar was going nowhere.
he had not yet found true love.
he was allowed to lead such a happy life while he saw so many people struggling with sorrow and suffering.
Question 10: In the United States, fundamental questions about ourselves and our purpose in life occur to many of us most forcefully:
at retirement when work no longer controls our lives.
when the last child leaves the house and the task of how to fill those hours away from is again a matter of choice.
when we are wondering what work we should do to earn a living.
when college is completed.
Question 11: Do you think Schweitzer is correct when he writes, "The lot of most people is to have a job, to earn a living, and to assume for themselves a place in society through some kind of non fulfilling labor"? Why, or why not? Answer in 200 Words
Question 12: Who are your significant others? How do you define yourself by them and against them? Answer in 200 Words.
Course Textbooks that will help:
Kushner, H. (2002). When all you've ever wanted isn't enough: The search for a life that matters. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster.
Schwehn, M. R., & Bass, D. C. (Eds.). (2006). Leading lives that matter: What we should do and who we should be. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.