The Theodicies of Augustine and Irenaeus

 

There are some good summaries of these two theodicies on Scandalon (an RE site created by Stafford Grammar School):

The Theodicy of Augustine of Hippo - http://www.scandalon.co.uk/philosophy/theodicy_augustine.htm
Irenaeus’ Theodicy - http://www.scandalon.co.uk/philosophy/theodicy_irenaeus.htm

Responses to Evil (General)

This first video is produced with consideration of the GCSE 'Belief in God' but gives some general explinations for the existence of evil, but closely linked to Christian teaching.



This video starts to introduce some of the philosophical questions. Can God really be omnipotent? Omnibenevolent?

Stephen Law on the Problem of Evil

Stephen Law on the Problem of Evil

"What is evil? Is it consistent with the existence of a benevolent God? In this interview Stephen Law gives an original take on this traditional philosophical problem."
Listen here: http://philosophybites.libsyn.com/webpage/stephen_law_on_the_problem_of_evil (~15mins)

His conclusion is that the God of classical theism is improbable in the light of the suffering that exists. Law is an atheist which, it could be suggested, makes his philosophical arguing unsound. Or does it make it objective?

Y8 Exodus Resources

The Y8 Independent Learning Project is based on the story of the Exodus and linking it to the Passover and its importance for Christians today.

You need to include some of the key events of the Exodus. There are a number of clips on YouTube from the Prince of Egypt:

Moses and the Burning Bush:

The Plagues:

The Exodus:

Crossing the Red Sea:

The BBC site explains about the Festival of Passover in an easy to understand guide: http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/religion/judaism/passover.shtml

BBC Learning Zone has some really useful clips too:
The Ten Plagues - http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/the-ten-plagues-of-egypt/4571.html (3min 16secs)
The Exodus Story - http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/the-exodus/3672.html (2min 45secs)
The Passover - http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/pesach-passover/3674.html (1min 27secs)
The Passover Story - http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/the-passover-story/6599.html (4min 36secs)
The Last Supper (Animation) - http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/the-last-supper/4444.html (2min 09secs)
The Last Supper - http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/the-last-supper/676.html (4min 52secs)

Judaism 101 is a brilliant site and contains lots of easily accesible information:
http://www.jewfaq.org/holidaya.htm

This site looks a bit dated, but contains some good information:
http://atschool.eduweb.co.uk/carolrb/judaism/judai1.html

This worksheet hosted by the TERE may help you make some of the connections between the Passover and Eucharist:
http://www.tere.org/assets/downloads/secondary/pdf_downloads/KS3/Connection%20between%20Passover%20and%20Eucharist.pdf

This website explains about the Christian Seder and why Christians celebrate it: http://www.christianseder.com/seder.html

Alain de Botton: I want to build a "Temple to Atheism"

"The atheist 'philosopher' Alain de Botton has undertaken a (literally) monumental project: he wants to create in the City a 150-foot-high temple to 'new atheism'. This is to distinguish it from old, aggressive atheism, as preached by Richard Dawkins. The two chaps seem to disagree on tactics, for one struggles to find any difference of substance.

'Why should religious people have the most beautiful buildings in the land?' Botton asks. 'It's time atheists had their own version of the great churches and cathedrals'."

Is an atheist philosopher an oxymoron? Alexander Boot seems to think so. Read his analysis of Botton's bizare scheme here: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-2093778/We-temples-atheism-Mr-Botton.html#ixzz1l7dCJV4d

What are your concluesions on this story?

How To Choose Your Religion

Click on image to enlarge:

Busted Halo: Sacraments 101 Videos

These collection of videos are excellent for revising the sacraments for EdExcel GCSE:

Unit 3: Marraige and the Family

Marraige - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uq2RDYlOLrs

Unit 10: Worship and Celebration

Baptism - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05YB2jdHLsY
Confirmation - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qt32SyDWuW8
Penance - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wz5-vu6A58E
Annointing of the Sick - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEppjWNO2y4
Eucharist - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdGkTdv4Dt4

Unit 10: Live the Christian Life

Holy Orders - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q904xIwxnSc