Marie Evanston Problem of Evil Midterm 1 Study

Guide
Some basic, but essential, reminders: Make sure that you are
actually answering the question in your response. This includes
making sure you answer all parts of the question, if it requires
you to address multiple things.
This test is open-ended, and there isnt necessarily one right
answer. But this does not mean you should just state your
opinion. You need to be thoughtful and give reasons for your
position. I will be looking for indications that 1) youve seen the
movie, read the book, and understood what was going on, and 2)
have engaged with the material. Engaged with the material
means that you have taken the time to try to really understand
Chaims, Hershs, and Wolterstorffs positions. This means not
just knowing what their positions are, but understanding why
their positions make sense. As I said in section, empathy plays a
huge role in this. Additionally, since this class has emphasized
personal experience, it is likely you will be asked to write about
some of your own positions and reactions to the material. Again,
you cant just state your opinion. You need to give reasons for
your position. I will be looking for thoughtful and sensitive
responses.
The goal is for you to be as articulate and clear as possible
in expressing your ideas. Of course, this makes it much easier to
grade your tests (and so more likely youll get a good grade!), but
its also a key way to show that you have indeed taken the time
to think about the issues weve discussed in class and in section.
After all, you cant be clear and articulate if youre not even sure
what youre saying!

The basic question which runs throughout the material weve discussed
(i.e., the film and the book): How do Chaim, Hersh, and Wolterstorff
respond to the evil they experience? How do they give meaning to the
evil they experienced in such a way that they are able to cope with it? What
do they learn/how do they change?
Make sure you know who Chaim and Hersh are (Those are the correct
spellings).

What is the position of each?

Marie Evanston Problem of Evil Midterm 1 Study
Guide
How does each of them justify their positions/what reasons do they
give?
How does each of their positions, different though they are, make
sense as a response to the evil they experienced?
General things of interest, which may or may not be on the test:

Hershs idea that he owes it to the martyrs to increase, not

decrease, his faith

Chaim and Hershs different perspectives on the world, and on people
The idea of inscape
The idea of owning, and treasuring, ones grief
grief as a testimony of worth
What are Wolterstorffs thoughts on suffering?