1. Explain why the existence of evil presented a problem for the early Christian Apologists, such as St. Augustine. Why was Augustine dissatisfied with the dualistic solution presented by Manicheanism? If we can't pass off evil as the work of Satan, how does Augustine define evil?
2. According to Christian theology God has the power to prevent evil - why doesn't he/she?
3. Elucidate the following three problems that free will present to Christianity: (1) Why free will is pivotal to the reward/punishment scenario. (2) Assuming free will is a gift from God, how is the use of this gift when used for evil, resolved with God's status as being all-good? (3) Does God's foreknowledge of our acts present a problem for free will?
4. Elucidate the unique nature of the ontological argument as presented by St. Anselm for the existence of God as contrasted against the more empirical based arguments presented by Acquinas.
5. The problem of faith and reason is a problem that has haunted religion and philosophy from the ancient Greek time down to our present day. Acquinas attempts to resolve this problem by distinquishing between theology utilizing reason - natural theology - and revealed theology that accepts things as a matter of faith. Acquinas wants to make the case that our reasoned knowledge of God somehow leads to an experience of God which he called a "Beatific Vision." Elucidate some of the problems surrounding this transition from knowledge to experience and what about us poor weak minded creatures? Hint: reliance on the revelations of others.