The Problem of Evil: A Comprehensive Guide for Sixth Form Religious Studies

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT traditionally categorized as a problem of evil?

Accepted Answer

The lack of empirical evidence for God's existence

Answer

The prevalence of human suffering

Answer

The occurrence of natural disasters

Answer

The existence of moral evil

Question 2

According to the free will defense, evil exists because:

Accepted Answer

God has created humans with the ability to make choices, including evil ones

Answer

Humans are inherently evil and deserve suffering

Answer

Evil is an unavoidable byproduct of creating a perfect world

Answer

God is unable to prevent evil from occurring

Question 3

The idea that evil is necessary for human growth and development is a core concept of which theodicy?

Accepted Answer

Soul-making theodicy

Answer

Libertarian theodicy

Answer

Evidential theodicy

Answer

Process theodicy

Question 4

The 'hiddenness of God' argument essentially posits that:

Accepted Answer

God's existence is impossible to prove because he chooses to remain hidden

Answer

The absence of empirical evidence for God is an indication of his existence

Answer

Evil is a manifestation of God's anger

Answer

Humans are incapable of fully comprehending God's nature

Question 5

Which of the following is a key assumption underlying the 'soul-making theodicy'?

Accepted Answer

Human suffering is ultimately beneficial for our spiritual growth

Answer

God is all-powerful and all-good

Answer

Evil is an illusion

Answer

The universe is fundamentally chaotic

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT a potential implication of the problem of evil?

Accepted Answer

Humans are inherently evil

Answer

God may not exist

Answer

God may not be all-powerful

Answer

God may not be all-benevolent

Question 7

In which way can the problem of evil be reconciled with the existence of a benevolent God?

Accepted Answer

By recognizing that evil can ultimately contribute to the greater good

Answer

By denying that evil exists

Answer

By claiming that God is not responsible for evil

Answer

By asserting that God is not all-powerful

Question 8

Which of the following terms is commonly used to describe the problem of evil in religious studies?

Accepted Answer

Paradox of Theodicy

Answer

Paradox of Omnipotence

Answer

Paradox of Existence

Answer

Paradox of Faith

Question 9

What is the significance of the omnipotent paradox in relation to the problem of evil?

Accepted Answer

It highlights the logical tension between God's omnipotence, omniscience, and the existence of evil.

Answer

It provides a definitive proof against the existence of God.

Answer

It explains why evil exists in the world.

Answer

It has no relevance to the problem of evil.

Question 10

Which of the following arguments is not presented in the free will defense against the problem of evil?

Accepted Answer

God prevents evil whenever it is possible.

Answer

Evil is an inherent part of free will.

Answer

God gave humans the freedom to choose between good and evil.

Answer

Evil is a consequence of human nature.

Question 11

According to the hiddenness of God argument, why might God choose to conceal his existence?

Accepted Answer

To allow humans to exercise their free will without undue influence.

Answer

To test the faith of believers.

Answer

To avoid becoming an object of worship.

Answer

To protect humanity from the consequences of God's power.

Question 12

Which philosopher is associated with the idea that evil is an illusion?

Accepted Answer

Plato

Answer

Aristotle

Answer

Thomas Aquinas

Answer

René Descartes

Question 13

According to Augustine's view of evil, evil is primarily:

Accepted Answer

A result of sin.

Answer

A necessary part of creation.

Answer

A consequence of free will.

Answer

An illusion created by the human mind.

Question 14

According to the Irenaean theodicy, evil exists:

Accepted Answer

To provide opportunities for human growth and redemption.

Answer

As a result of God's wrath.

Answer

As a necessary consequence of creation.

Answer

As a punishment for sin.

Question 15

Which of the following is not a factor that can contribute to human suffering?

Accepted Answer

Divine retribution

Answer

Natural disasters

Answer

Human actions

Answer

Random chance

Question 16

According to the free will defense, why does God permit evil?

Accepted Answer

To provide an environment conducive to moral growth.

Answer

To punish humans for their wrongdoings.

Answer

To challenge humans' faith.

Answer

To promote overall happiness.

Question 17

What is the primary argument of the 'soul-making theodicy'?

Accepted Answer

Evil contributes to human growth and maturity.

Answer

God permits evil to test human faith.

Answer

Evil is an illusion created by human minds.

Answer

God does not exist, and evil is intrinsic to the world.

Question 18

Which response to the problem of evil emphasizes the concept of human agency?

Accepted Answer

The free will defense

Answer

The hiddenness of God

Answer

The soul-making theodicy

Answer

The process theodicy

Question 19

According to the free will defense, why does God permit the existence of evil?

Accepted Answer

To safeguard human autonomy.

Answer

To fulfill a grand, incomprehensible plan.

Answer

Due to insufficient power to prevent it.

Answer

Because God's nature is inherently evil.

Question 20

State the central argument of the hiddenness of God?

Accepted Answer

God exists but remains concealed from humanity.

Answer

God does not exist.

Answer

God bears no responsibility for the existence of evil.

Answer

Evil is merely an illusion.

Question 21

Which reason is not used to justify the hiddenness of God?

Accepted Answer

To shield humanity from worldly horrors.

Answer

To test our faith.

Answer

To allow for the exercise of free will.

Answer

To challenge our assumptions about God's nature.

Question 22

What is the core argument of the soul-making theodicy?

Accepted Answer

Evil is essential for spiritual growth.

Answer

God is not responsible for evil.

Answer

Evil is an illusion.

Answer

The world is ultimately good.

Question 23

State the central argument of the process theodicy?

Accepted Answer

Evil is an essential part of the evolutionary process.

Answer

God is not responsible for evil.

Answer

Evil is an illusion.

Answer

The world is ultimately good.

Question 24

Which of the following is NOT a type of evil discussed in the study of the problem of evil?

Accepted Answer

Financial evil

Answer

Moral evil

Answer

Natural evil

Answer

Metaphysical evil

Question 25

Who proposed the free will defense to the problem of evil?

Accepted Answer

Alvin Plantinga

Answer

Epicurus

Answer

David Hume

Answer

Immanuel Kant

Question 26

What is the central argument of the hiddenness of God defense to the problem of evil?

Accepted Answer

The absence of evidence for God's existence does not disprove his existence.

Answer

A loving God would not allow evil to exist.

Answer

If God existed, we would have clear evidence of his presence.

Answer

Evil is a necessary part of the universe, even if it is caused by human actions.

Question 27

What is the key difference between natural evil and moral evil?

Accepted Answer

Natural evil is caused by natural forces, while moral evil is caused by human choices.

Answer

Moral evil is inherently worse than natural evil.

Answer

Natural evil is always preventable, while moral evil is not.

Answer

Natural evil affects only humans, while moral evil can affect both humans and animals.

Question 28

Which philosopher argued that evil is a necessary part of the universe because it enables the existence of free will and moral progress?

Accepted Answer

John Hick

Answer

Epicurus

Answer

Bertrand Russell

Answer

Fyodor Dostoevsky

Question 29

What is a primary criticism of Irenaicism as a response to the problem of evil?

Accepted Answer

It fails to provide a clear explanation for the existence of evil.

Answer

It is overly pessimistic.

Answer

It is based on a false premise.

Answer

It relies too heavily on faith.

Question 30

Which of the following is a key assumption of the free will defense to the problem of evil?

Accepted Answer

Humans possess the ability to choose between good and evil.

Answer

God is ultimately responsible for all evil in the world.

Answer

Evil is an inherent and unavoidable aspect of the universe.

Answer

Suffering is a divine punishment for sin.

Question 31

Which of the following is the best definition of 'metaphysical evil'?

Accepted Answer

The inherent incompleteness of existence

Answer

Suffering associated with natural disasters

Answer

Suffering resulting from human actions

Answer

The suffering of innocent animals

Question 32

According to the free will defense, why does evil exist?

Accepted Answer

Because God values human freedom

Answer

Because God needs evil to test humans

Answer

Because humans have chosen to reject God

Answer

Because evil is an essential part of the universe

Question 33

What is implied by the statement that God is 'hidden'?

Accepted Answer

God's nature is beyond human understanding

Answer

God is not present in the world

Answer

God does not intervene in human affairs

Answer

God is only accessible through special revelation

Question 34

What is the primary aim of Theodicy?

Accepted Answer

To explain why evil exists in the world

Answer

To demonstrate that God does not exist

Answer

To provide a complete solution to the problem of evil

Answer

To prove that suffering has no purpose

Question 35

Which of the following is a key implication of the problem of evil for the concept of God?

Accepted Answer

It challenges the traditional attributes of God, such as omnipotence and omnibenevolence.

Answer

It proves that God does not exist.

Answer

It supports the idea that God is evil.

Question 36

The problem of evil is primarily concerned with:

Accepted Answer

The apparent conflict between the existence of evil and the existence of an all-good, all-powerful God.

Answer

The nature of good and evil.

Question 37

The problem of evil has been used to argue for:

Accepted Answer

Atheism, agnosticism, and the existence of a limited or imperfect God.

Answer

Only agnosticism

Answer

Only atheism

Question 38

Which of the following is a key challenge in resolving the problem of evil?

Accepted Answer

Reconciling the existence of an all-good, all-powerful God with the presence of suffering and evil in the world.

Answer

Defining what counts as 'evil'.

Question 39

Which of the following most accurately defines the problem of evil?

Accepted Answer

The presence of suffering and evil in the world contradicts the classical attributes of God, such as omnipotence, omniscience, and omnibenevolence.

Answer

Evil is a result of human nature and therefore not a challenge to God's existence.

Question 40

Which of these is NOT considered a traditional attribute of God that is challenged by the problem of evil?

Accepted Answer

Immutability

Answer

Omniscience

Answer

Omnibenevolence

Answer

Omnipotence

Question 41

The Free Will Defense argues that:

Accepted Answer

Evil is a necessary consequence of humans' free will, which God values above the absence of suffering.

Answer

God directly controls every event, including evil, and humans have no independent agency.

Answer

Evil is ultimately a product of the natural world, unrelated to any divine will or purpose.

Question 42

A potential weakness of the Free Will Defense is that it:

Accepted Answer

Does not fully explain the existence of natural evil, such as earthquakes and diseases.

Answer

Asserts that humans are solely responsible for every instance of evil in the world.

Answer

Disproves the existence of God, as it suggests God cannot be both all-powerful and allow free will.

Question 43

The Hiddenness of God argument proposes that:

Accepted Answer

God's absence or silence in the face of suffering may be a sign of his existence, allowing for genuine human freedom and responsibility.

Answer

God actively intervenes in human events to prevent evil, but his actions are often hidden from our sight.

Question 44

A criticism of the Hiddenness of God argument is that it:

Accepted Answer

Suggests God is not truly benevolent, since a loving God would not allow innocent suffering to occur.

Answer

Provides no logical explanation for why God chooses to remain hidden or distant.

Question 45

The concept of 'soul-making' suggests that:

Accepted Answer

Suffering and evil can offer opportunities for personal growth, resilience, and spiritual development.

Answer

Humans are inherently wicked and incapable of achieving genuine goodness.

Answer

Suffering is meaningless and serves no purpose in life.

Question 46

Which philosopher is primarily associated with the development of the Free Will Defense?

Accepted Answer

Augustine of Hippo

Answer

Immanuel Kant

Answer

John Locke

Answer

René Descartes

Question 47

A theist who accepts the existence of evil alongside belief in God might argue that:

Accepted Answer

Evil is a necessary component of a larger good, such as the development of human virtue or the preservation of free will.

Answer

Evil is evidence that God does not exist.

Answer

God is ultimately responsible for all evil in the world.

Question 48

Which of the following is NOT a potential implication of the problem of evil for religious belief?

Accepted Answer

It definitively disproves the existence of God.

Answer

It may lead to the rejection of traditional understandings of God's attributes.

Answer

It raises questions about the nature and purpose of human suffering.