Theology

In his account of his experiences as a doctor in German concentration camps during World War II (Man’s
Search for Meaning) the Jewish neurologist and psychiatrist Victor Frankl argues that how we respond to evil
and suffering provides a powerful opportunity for a person to express their unique identity. Importantly, it
also offers an opportunity to create from suffering a transformative and positive event, one that has the
potential “to turn fate into destiny.” To what degree does Jesus’ life and death conform to, or explicate,
Frankl‘s assertion? Moreover, how might Jesus’ life and death function as a template for our own approach to
how we might confront evil and suffering?

NOTE: Your answer MUST reference at least 3 of the following 4 texts:

Bader-Saye, Scott. “Security check: Does God protect us?” The Christian Century 124, 14 (July 2007):29-32.

Manninen, Bertha Alvarez. “The Problem of Evil and Humans’ Relationship with God in Terrence Malick’s The
Tree of Life.” Journal of Religion and Film 17,1 (April 2013): 1-23.

Mouton, Elna. “Jesus as healer in the Gospel of Matthew: In conversation with Alan Culpepper.” In die Skriflig
50,1 (2016):1-6. http:// dx.doi.org/10.402/is.v.5oi12143.

Williams, Roy. “Suffering” In God, actually: Why God probably exists, why Jesus was probably divine, and why
the “rational” objections to religion are unconvincing. 215-245. Oxford: Monarch Books, 2009.

Marks will be awarded for more comprehensive research, but this research should be restricted to fewer than
5 additional texts, apart from those already indicated above.

Referencing Style: APA

PHILOSOPHY AND THEOLOGY STYLE GUIDE

The essay format must conform to the following style guide:

Font: Times New Roman font (12 point)

Line spacing: Double

Quotations Long quotations should be avoided. However, if they are required a quotation longer than 3 lines
should be indented 2cm from either side (single spaced) and then no quotation marks are used.

Bibliography: The essay must contain a properly formatted bibliography

Australian English: Set the language setting on your word processor to Australian English

Use formal language: Formal does not mean pompous or grandiose, it means applying a professional
standard to your writing, one that respects conventions of grammar.