The central topic of this course is the compatibility of God's existence with the
widespread suffering of our world.  We will spend some time getting clear on just what it
is we are talking about, by carefully exploring the concept of God in philosophical
theology.  In the rest of the course, we will alternate between abstract philosophical
writing and more "popular" treatments (in essay, fiction, and film) of the question of God
and evil.  Some of these sources treat the issue generically, while others develop the issue
in the context of traditional Christianity.  By taking this course, students will not only be
able to acquire a firm grasp of the issue at hand, but also have occasion to think about the
nature of human freedom, time, and the concept of probability and how it is used in
confirming theories, whether philosophical or scientific.  Another "bonus feature" is that
one may learn how to spot and assess imaginative developments of certain age-old
philosophical ideas in pop culture, thereby joining that elite 5% of Americans who
actually think when they read and watch the flicks!

Course texts: William Wainright, Philosophy of Religion; F. Dostoevsky, The Grand
Inquisitor; Albert Camus, The Plague; C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain.