The Problem of Hiddenness: Why Does God Hide?

Question 1

Which of the following is **not** a consequence of God's hiddenness, according to the learning unit?

Accepted Answer

It promotes spiritual growth and self-reliance.

Answer

It leads to doubt and skepticism.

Answer

It can contribute to religious extremism.

Answer

It fosters a sense of separation from the divine.

Question 2

How does Karl Barth's 'dialectical theology' address the problem of hiddenness?

Accepted Answer

It argues that God's self-revelation is paradoxical and beyond human understanding.

Answer

It emphasizes the importance of faith and personal experience in encountering God.

Answer

It rejects the idea of God as a hidden entity and asserts his immanence in creation.

Answer

It proposes that God's hiddenness is a necessary condition for human freedom.

Question 3

Which of the following is a common theme in the writings of mystics?

Accepted Answer

A direct and personal experience of God.

Answer

An emphasis on obedience and conformity.

Answer

A rejection of organized religion.

Answer

A belief in the inevitability of suffering.

Question 4

How is the 'hiddenness of God' related to the concept of 'negative theology'?

Accepted Answer

Negative theology emphasizes the unknowability of God, which is compatible with his hiddenness.

Answer

Negative theology argues that God is completely beyond human understanding, making his hiddenness irrelevant.

Answer

Negative theology suggests that God can only be known through his effects in the world, which contradicts the idea of hiddenness.

Answer

Negative theology is based on the belief that God is hidden from those who seek him, but not from those who do not.

Question 5

Which of the following is the central question posed by the problem of hiddenness?

Accepted Answer

Why would an all-loving and all-powerful God conceal his existence from us?

Answer

How can we prove that God exists?

Answer

What are the implications of God's hiddenness for our understanding of faith?

Question 6

According to the problem of hiddenness, which of the following is a logical inconsistency?

Accepted Answer

An all-loving and all-powerful God would desire to make his existence known to humanity, yet he remains hidden.

Answer

Evil exists in the world.

Answer

God is both transcendent and immanent.

Answer

Faith is based on evidence.

Question 7

Which of the following is a key assumption underlying the problem of hiddenness?

Accepted Answer

God is all-powerful, all-loving, and desires a relationship with humanity.

Answer

The universe is governed by deterministic laws.

Answer

Humans are inherently sinful and unworthy of God's presence.

Question 8

According to the free will defense against the problem of hiddenness, why is God's hiddenness necessary?

Accepted Answer

To allow humans to make genuine moral choices.

Answer

To protect us from God's wrath.

Answer

To test our faith.

Question 9

Which of the following is a philosophical implication of the problem of hiddenness?

Accepted Answer

It raises questions about the traditional concept of an all-loving and all-powerful God.

Answer

It proves that God does not exist.

Answer

It has no significant impact on religious belief.

Question 10

According to the evidentialist approach, how does the problem of hiddenness affect religious beliefs?

Accepted Answer

It undermines the credibility of religious beliefs that rely on empirical evidence.

Answer

It has no bearing on the rationality of religious faith.

Answer

It provides strong evidence for the existence of God.

Question 11

Which criticism of the argument from hiddenness points out its reliance on a specific assumption about God's nature?

Accepted Answer

The argument assumes that God inherently desires to be known and recognized by humans

Answer

The argument assumes that God is all-powerful

Answer

The argument assumes that God is all-good

Question 12

Which response to the problem of hiddenness involves accepting the possibility that there may be legitimate reasons for God's concealment?

Accepted Answer

Acknowledging the limitations of human knowledge and understanding

Answer

Assuming that God is indifferent to human suffering

Answer

Concluding that God must be inherently evil

Answer

Rejecting the existence of God altogether

Question 13

Which theological concept is central to the problem of hiddenness and explores the nature of suffering in relation to a benevolent and omnipotent God?

Accepted Answer

Theodicy

Answer

Epistemology

Answer

Cosmology

Answer

Metaphysics

Question 14

Which limitation of the problem of hiddenness as an argument against God's existence acknowledges the limits of human knowledge and understanding?

Accepted Answer

The argument assumes that humans possess complete knowledge of what is necessary for God to exist and be known

Answer

The argument assumes that God is all-powerful

Answer

The argument assumes that God is inherently benevolent

Question 15

Which of the following is a formulation of the problem of hiddenness?

Accepted Answer

If God exists, why doesn't he reveal himself to us?

Answer

If God is all-powerful, he could eliminate all evil.

Answer

If God is benevolent, he would not allow innocent suffering.

Question 16

According to William Paley's argument for the existence of God, which of the following is evidence for God's existence?

Accepted Answer

The design of the universe

Answer

The problem of suffering

Answer

The existence of evil

Answer

The lack of evidence for God's existence

Question 17

Which philosopher distinguishes between theistic and deistic forms of belief in relation to the problem of hiddenness?

Accepted Answer

Immanuel Kant

Answer

John Locke

Answer

René Descartes

Answer

David Hume

Question 18

In response to the problem of hiddenness, which theodicy argues that suffering is a means to spiritual growth and development?

Accepted Answer

The soul-making theodicy

Answer

The free will defense

Answer

The ontological argument

Answer

The evidential argument from evil

Question 19

According to John Hick, what is the most reliable way to resolve the problem of hiddenness?

Accepted Answer

Through religious experience

Answer

Through philosophical argument

Answer

Through scientific investigation

Answer

Through moral intuition

Question 20

According to Richard Dawkins, the problem of hiddenness provides evidence for:

Accepted Answer

The non-existence of God

Answer

The existence of a hidden God

Answer

The existence of God

Answer

The existence of a benevolent God

Question 21

Which of the following best describes the essential question at the heart of the Problem of Hiddenness?

Accepted Answer

If God is loving and omnipotent, why does God seem to conceal their existence from humanity?

Answer

How can we reconcile the existence of suffering with the idea of a benevolent God?

Answer

Why do people believe in God despite the lack of scientific evidence?

Question 22

Which philosopher is considered the primary formulator of the modern understanding of the Problem of Hiddenness?

Accepted Answer

J.L. Schellenberg

Answer

Immanuel Kant

Answer

John Locke

Question 23

Which of the following is a common theistic response to the Problem of Hiddenness?

Accepted Answer

God's hiddenness allows for human free will to develop and flourish.

Answer

God's existence is self-evident and requires no further proof.

Answer

The problem of evil disproves the existence of a benevolent God.

Question 24

In the context of the Problem of Hiddenness, what does J.L. Schellenberg's concept of a “personal God” emphasize?

Accepted Answer

A God who desires a loving, reciprocal relationship with humanity.

Answer

A God who is uniquely personal to each individual, regardless of their beliefs or actions.

Answer

A God who actively intervenes in human affairs, controlling every event.

Question 25

Which of the following approaches to the Problem of Hiddenness places less emphasis on logical reasoning and more on subjective experiences and emotions?

Accepted Answer

Non-cognitive approach

Answer

Philosophical approach

Answer

Theological approach

Answer

Cognitive approach

Question 26

How might the Problem of Hiddenness potentially impact the relationship between a believer and their God?

Accepted Answer

It could lead to feelings of doubt, uncertainty, and a sense of distance or separation from God.

Answer

It necessarily strengthens faith by requiring unwavering trust in God's plan.

Answer

It has no significant impact as religious belief is based on dogma, not evidence.

Question 27

The idea that God may have morally justifiable reasons for remaining hidden aligns with which theistic response?

Accepted Answer

Theodicy

Answer

Natural theology

Answer

Mysticism

Answer

Agnosticism

Question 28

What is a potential limitation of using the Problem of Hiddenness as a primary argument for atheism?

Accepted Answer

It assumes that a loving God would necessarily make their existence undeniably evident to all.

Answer

It fails to account for the diversity of religious beliefs worldwide.

Answer

It relies on subjective interpretations of religious experiences.

Question 29

Which of the following statements BEST reflects the ongoing relevance and importance of the Problem of Hiddenness?

Accepted Answer

It continues to be a topic of active debate among philosophers and theologians, raising profound questions about faith, reason, and the nature of God.

Answer

It is a solved problem with definitive answers provided by religious scriptures.