Good And Evil (P)

Question 1

What is the meaning of ‘good’?

Answer 1

Being positive or desirable in nature
Superior to the average
Competent and reliable
Of moral excellence

Question 2

What is the meaning of ‘bad’?

Answer 2

Something morally bad or wrong
Wicked
Something that causes harm or a negative reaction
An evil force or power

Question 3

What are the two types of evil?

Answer 3

Natural evil

Moral evil

Question 4

What’s natural evil?

Answer 4

Evil due to the way the world is and is related to natural phenomenon

Question 5

What’s moral evil?

Answer 5

Evil which is caused by people choosing to act in a certain manner.

Question 6

What are examples of moral evil?

Answer 6

Terrorism
Genocide
Drug addictions
Road rage
Gas explosions
War
Rape

Poverty, forest fires and homelessness can be natural evil and moral evil

Question 7

What are examples of natural evil?

Answer 7

Tsunami
Tornado
Flooding
Earthquake
Disease

Poverty, forest fires and homelessness can be natural evil and moral evil

Question 8

What do Christians believe about goodness?

Answer 8

God is perfect and is the source of all goodness

Humans were created in His likeness and have the responsibility to live in a way that is pleasing to God.

The moral code given by God in the Bible is what Christians follow to live a good life e.g. The 10 commandments.

Question 9

What do Christians believe evil is?

Answer 9

It is the result of not following God

It’s often personified into the character of the devil which acts against God and wants to temp and act in a way against God

Question 10

What are the 2 main views on the devil?

Answer 10

Literal view - there’s a literal devil. Satan is real and rules over hell

Symbolic view - the devil is the potential we have to choose evil rather than good. Hell isn’t a real place but a place where god is absent. It symbolises how people often struggle to do what’s right

Question 11

When is the devil mentioned in the Bible?

And God

Answer 11

The snake in the story of the fall/the garden of Eden

When lucifer (the angel) was sent to hell as he wanted to be worshipped as well as God

In the Old Testament, God is described as so perfect that Moses cannot look at him.
In the New Testament, God is described a loving and forgiving and is the ‘supreme being’

Question 12

How is the devil traditionally viewed?

Answer 12

The devil is traditionally seen as male, red in colour with horns and a tail carrying a pitchfork.
The devil has additional names e.g. Lucifer, Satan, accuser, father of piers and the serpent.

The devil was originally an archangel who was cast out of heaven.

Question 13

What jobs does the devil perform within the Bible?

Answer 13

Tempting Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden

Testing Job causing him all sorts of suffering to make him lose faith in God

Tempting Jesus, offering him great power and riches

Question 14

What are the (3) quotes involving the devil?

Answer 14

“I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven”

“You are thrown down to the ground. You who caused the nations to sink!”

“The great dragon was hurled down - that ancient serpent called the Devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray.”

Question 15

What is the Original Sin?

Answer 15

The way in which humans at born with a lack of holiness about them which is different from any actual sins that people commit themselves.

Original sin is washed away by the sacrament of baptism when a baby or adult is welcomed into the church.

Question 16

What occurs in the story of the Fall?

Answer 16

According to the Bible, Eve picked the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil in the garden of Eden despite it being forbidden by God.

By doing this she introduced original sin.

Some believe, that being in the image of God, humans would have been immortal but they lost that immortality by eating the fruit.

This story answers where evil came from as it suggests that, before, everything was perfect however humans were given a choice which resulted in sin.

Question 17

What are the quotes on the Fall?

Answer 17

“For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.”

“There, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men because all sinned.”

Question 17

What is the problem of evil?

Answer 17

The problem of evil is that, if God is omnipotent, omniscient and omnibenevolent, how can God allow evil to exist.

If God is omniscient, he knows evil is taking place
If God is omnibenevolent, he wouldn’t want people to suffer
If God is omnipotent, he can stop evil
Therefore God cannot be all three of these things or there would be no evil in the world.

Natural evil is harder to explain that moral evil as moral evil is the behaviour of people which are seen to be cruel however natural evil covers natural events without human cause.
Therefore moral evil can be seen to be blamed on free will.

Question 18

What are the arguments on God and evil and suffering in the world?

Answer 18

God does not exist
God is not all powerful
God is actually responsible for everything so is responsible for evil and suffering as well as good.

Question 19

What are the major Christian questions on evil?

Answer 19

They believe God is good so how can God let evil exist in the world?

In the creation story, God created humans last and placed them in charge of whole creation. It’s clear that God loves humans so how can he let natural disasters happen?

The story of job states that, despite everything being taken from him, the character of Job still has faith in God.

Question 20

What is meant by evil?

Answer 20

Something considered bad or morally wrong and can cause harm and may be the result of not following God.
It’s the cause of suffering.
The absence of good.

Question 21

Give two examples of human suffering:

Answer 21

Human suffering includes natural disasters e.g. Tsunamis, floods, earthquakes etc. and diseases and illnesses e.g. Cancer as well as suffering due to moral evil e.g. Terrorism, murder etc.

Question 22

What’s the difference between natural and moral evil?

Answer 22

Natural evil implies evil as a result of naturally occurring events e.g. Tsunamis, earthquakes etc which aren’t influenced by humans.
Moral evil is evil which results from actions of individuals e.g. Genocides, terrorism etc and are often blamed upon free will since they’re caused by humans.

Question 23

What is Irenaeus’ solution to the problem of evil?

Who supports it?

Answer 23

We need to be able to choose between good and evil therefore evil evil must exist.

Supported by some Christians

Question 24

What is Augustine’s solution to the problem of evil?

Who supports it?

Answer 24

Evil only happens when good things don’t so evil does not really exist.

Supported by some Christians

Question 25

What are the Christian solutions to the problem of evil?

Answer 25

1) Irenaues’ view - We need to be able to choose between good and evil therefore evil evil must exist.
2) Augustine’s view - Evil only happens when good things don’t so evil does not really exist.
3) Evil and suffering will be justified by who goes to heaven or hell (also supported by Muslims)
4) Evil is present because of The Fall (particularly Catholic view and also some Muslims)
5) All evil is due to free will being badly used (particularly protestant view)
6) Evil is allowed to happen so God can test our faith
7) Evil and suffering bring out the best in people so we need to suffer so that we can develop qualities such as courage - John Hick

Question 26

What are some Islamic solutions to the problem of evil?

Answer 26

Evil is present because of The Fall (particularly Catholic view and also some Muslims)

All evil is due to free will being badly used (also particularly protestant view)

Question 27

What is the humanist view on the solutions to the problem of evil?

Answer 27

Sometimes humans are responsible for evil,
sometimes it happens by chance.
God is not to blame as there is no God.

Question 28

What’s the atheists’ and scientists’ view on the solutions to the problem of evil?

Answer 28

There is no answer.
God cannot be all powerful and good because evil exists.
So there cannot be a God.

Question 29

What are Christian views on suffering?

Answer 29

Evil and suffering are just part of what God does which simply cannot be explained.

It teaches that God took human form and came to Earth as Jesus who taught that people should live according to God’s wishes. Because he was innocent of sin and chose to die for others, the sins of humans were forgiven.

When Christians suffer, they pray to God for strength.

Many believe that illness and suffering are punishments for sins that people have committed.

Christians accept that God does not always answer prayers in the way they’d like him to but they believe, whatever happens, God chooses the best for them.

Many work with charities to relieve suffering and live according to God

Question 30

What is a Bible quote on the Christian response to suffering?

Answer 30

“Suffering produces endurance, and endurance a produces character, and character produces hope.”

This quote suggests that suffering serves a purpose to strengthen character.

Question 31

What are Buddhist views on suffering?

Answer 31

They believe suffering is increased if people are unable to accept what happens in the world.
It decreases if they can learn to accept the world as it is.
They follow he teachings of Buddha.

Question 32

What are Islamic views on suffering?

Answer 32

They believe those who stay good Muslims despite evil and suffering will be rewarded in Paradise.

Question 33

What are Jewish views on suffering?

Answer 33

They respond to suffering by praying for those who suffer and provide practical help and support by raising money.
The holocaust raised many questions for the Jews.

Question 34

Who do Christians turn to as a source of moral authority?

Answer 34

• The Ten Commandments in the bible
• Their conscience
• Jesus and examples of Jesus
• Figures of authority in their local churches e.g. Vicars.
• Local Christians of their church
• Previous famous Christians e.g. Martin Luther king.

Christians would use the Bible to help make moral decisions as they believe it’s the word of God and wish to live how God tells them.

They’d also use faith in Christ as it helps them work out how to act in certain situations. They refer to his teaching of love, compassion and forgiveness demonstrated in his own life caring for everyone and forgiving enemies.

Question 35

What’s the difficulty of turning to the Bible as a source of moral authority?

Answer 35

It was written 2000 years ago therefore there is information which isn’t included in the Bible

Question 36

What’s an example of a specific command, parable and general moral principle from the Bible?

Answer 36

Specific command:
“You shall not kill”

Parable:
Good Samaritan

General moral principal:
“Love your neighbour as yourself”

Question 37

What’s the Christian ‘golden rule’?

Answer 37

“Do to others as you would have them do to you”

Christians also tend to ask, “what would Jesus have done?”

Question 38

What is a conscience?

Answer 38

A moral sense of right and wrong felt by a person which affects their behaviour.
An inner feeling as to the goodness or otherwise of ones behaviour e.g. a sense of guilt thus it reflects and detects moral behaviour.

Question 39

What are the 5 views of conscience?

Answer 39

GAS UP

God - most Christians believe God has given us a sense of right and wrong

Authority figures (instilled by) - it comes from role models of all authority figures e.g. parents, teachers, strong characters etc.

Society (instilled by) - it comes from society’s expectations. A persons conscience reflects the values and rules of society

Us (innate within) - it’s not dependent on culture, environment or education, it’s part of the person when created or how the brain is wired by genetics due to evolutionary development.

Parents (instilled by) - it’s a product of the persons first moral teachers, it’s parents.

Question 40

What is St. Augustine’s view on the conscience?

And quote

Answer 40

He believed that the conscience is the voice of God whispering to us inwardly.
He says the conscience brings us closer to what God asks for.

“Return to your conscience, question it…turn inward”

Question 41

What is St. Thomas Aquinas’ view on the conscience?

And quote

Answer 41

He believed the conscience is right reasoning not an inner voice

“Conscience is the dictate of reason”

Question 42

What is temperance?

Answer 42

To be in control of yourself and your desires

Question 43

What’s the deadly sin?

Answer 43

An action disposed by God which is believed to condemn the person committing it to hell regardless of whatever else they do.

Question 44

What’s the ineffable plan?

Answer 44

Many believe God has a plan for the whole world and is beyond our understanding.
Sometimes things happen which seem bad to us but are essential for God to achieve the plan

The belief is that people should trust in God to do what is best and except that there is a reason for what happens to them

Question 45

What is the concept of the greater good?

Answer 45

The argument to simply that although what has happened maybe bad it is preventing something even worse from happening
E.g.
A baby dying of sudden infant death syndrome is tragic for the parents but it could be that if the child had live it would’ve been a mass-murderer in this example one death presents many deaths

Question 46

What are the seven deadly sins?

Answer 46

Sins so bad that they would take the sinners straight to hell when they’ve died.
The seven deadly sins a balanced by the seven heavenly virtues

The seven deadly sins are:
Gluttony
Sloth
Wrath
Lust
Avarice
Envy
Pride

Question 47

What are the seven heavenly virtues?

Answer 47

Think so pleasing to God that they take the do it straight to heaven when they die

Seven heavenly virtues are:
Justice
Prudence
Fortitude
Temperance
Faith
Hope
Charity

Question 48

What’s an example story of suffering?

Answer 48

The story of Job

Question 49

How do Christians cope with suffering?

Answer 49

They believe God has plans which we cannot understand
They pray to God when suffering for strength
Part of acceptance is realising the best outcome may not always be the one you want
They trust God

Question 50

What are the Bible quotes on the Devil?

Answer 50

“You who caused to the nations to sink”

“He fell from heaven like lightning”

“Thou shalt to be brought down to hell”

“Worship the lord your God”

“Jesus was let into the wilderness and tempted by the devil”

Question 51

What are the Bible quotes on how to behave?

Answer 51

“Do to others as you would have them do to you”

“Love your neighbour as yourself”

“There is no authority except from God”

“They that do such things [sin] shall not inherit the kingdom of God”

“Do you justly and to love mercy and to humbly do with God”

Question 52

Explain how the suffering of Christ might help Christians to cope with suffering:

Answer 52

The person of Jesus has great significance for Christians.
The fact of his suffering through the crucifixion can enable them to have faith that he understands what it is like to suffer and therefore has greater compassion for the suffering of others.
This can give Christians strength to cope with what happens to them.
Some candidates might choose to explore the idea that suffering brings people closer to God because of the link with the suffering Christ.

After the crucifixion Christ was resurrected, this is a symbol of hope for Christians who are suffering; it can help them to believe that their suffering is temporary and will eventually be redeemed by God.

Some Christians might view suffering as a test of their faith, and point out how Christ was also tested, and believed himself forsaken while on the Cross.
They might then discuss how this knowledge could help Christians to pass such a test.

Faith in Christ creates the Christian community, and so Christians might feel that they are not alone in their suffering but are united with other believers.