Theology of the Absurd
Theology
Dona Williams, MTh, BS, E-MailVita
Introduction to Theology or similar course.
PURPOSE OF THE COURSE:
We have said elsewhere that theology is an activity undertaken by Christian communities. There
we said that this activity involves primarily those communities reflecting "self-critically on
its current forms of speech and action to see if it is being faithful to the gifts and tasks God
has given to it..." In this course, we will take a much broader view of God and God’s activity
in the world. Here, we will concern ourselves with the question of whether existentialism has
anything to offer to our understanding of God and our approach to theology. Does existentialism
help us to live in the world more successfully as Christians? Does it help us to be more faithful
to God? Perhaps the most critical question is whether existentialism helps us to find meaning in
and for our lives.
By the end of this course, students are expected to have an understanding of existentialism and
particularly religious existentialism as it impacts Christianity.
INCLUSIVE LANGUAGE
Students should strive to use inclusive language in their writings. By inclusive language is
meant language that is not gender specific and which attempts to include as many people as
possible. For instance, instead of writing that "God wills that every man obeys His will,"
inclusive language would suggest that we write, "God wills that everyone obeys God’s will."
REQUIREMENTS
1. Readings. The required texts are:
A. The Bible, any New Revised Standard Version.
B. Barrett, William, Irrational Man: A Study in Existential Philosophy, soft-cover,
Anchor Books (1958).
C. Camus, Albert, The Stranger, soft-cover, there are many editions of this book; however,
the Vintage edition is preferred.
D. ______________, The Myth of Sysphus and Other Essays, trans. By Justin O’Brien,
soft-cover, Vintage (1983, 1955).
E. Ionesco, Eugene, Rhinoceros and Other Plays, trans. By Derek Prouse, soft-cover- cover,
Grove Press (1960).
F. Kierkegaard, Soren, Either/Or Part I, ed. And trans. By Howard V. Hong and Edna H.
Hong, soft-cover, Princeton (1987).
2. Conferences. Students may schedule up to two Internet conferences between the student
and the professor. Of course, students may ask questions of the professor at any time by sending
an E-mail to the address at the link above or by posting them to the bulletin board.
3. Exams. There will be a mid-term examination and a comprehensive final examination. The
exams will cover the assigned readings and will be taken at the end of the weeks indicated
below.
4. Papers. There will be a short paper of no less than two single-spaced pages or 1,250
words, due at the end of each week’s readings in which students will answer the discussion
questions and give a reaction to their readings. These papers are to be e-mailed to the
professor. Those who do not feel comfortable with e-mailing the papers can contact the professor
for a mailing address. Students should include a word count with the heading of their papers.
5. Grades. Course work will be weighted as follows:
Papers
Mid-term exam
Final Exam
30%
30%
40%
5. Grading Scale.
90-100%
80-89%
70-79%
60-69%
59% or below
A Excellent
B Above Average
C Average
D Below Average
F Failing Grade
A = Clearly stands out as excellent performance. Has unusually sharp insight
into material and initiates thoughtful questions. Sees many sides of an
issue. Articulates well and writes logically and clearly. Integrates ideas
previously learned from this and other disciplines. Anticipates next steps
in progression of ideas.
B = Grasps subject matter at a level considered to be good to very good. Is
an active listener and participant in chats, message boards, e-mails and
conferences. Speaks and writes well. Accomplishes more than the minimum
requirements. Work is of high quality.
C = Demonstrates a satisfactory comprehension of the subject matter.
Accomplishes only the minimum requirements, and displays little or no
initiative. Communicates at an acceptable level for a college student.
Has a generally acceptable understanding of all basic concepts.
D = Quality and quantity of work is below average and barely acceptable.
1. What is existentialism?
2. What is meant by the absurd? In what way, if any is humanity’s existence called absurd in Job?
3. God says that only Job has spoken truthfully about God. What is the "truth" that Job speaks
about God?
4. In what way is Job a threat to the meaning and purpose which his friends have given to their
lives?
5. Does Job repent? If so, of what does Job repent?
WEEK 2
Read Camus’ The Myth of Sisyphus pages 1-138.
Discussion Questions:
1. According to Camus, why do people commit suicide?
2. When Camus writes of the "Myth of Sysphus," does he mean by myth that the story is not true?
3. If suicides conclude that life is not worth the living, then could a "Christian" ever commit
suicide? Do you know or know of Christians who have committed suicide? How do you reconcile, if
you do or can, the idea of suicide with being a Christian? What does the Bible say about suicide?
4. Our society continues to struggle with the issue of euthanasia. Does Camus’ work have any
utility for resolving this issue? Does the Bible?
5. In the reading from last week, William Smith raises the issue whether common ground can be
found between the absurd and theology. Can an existentialist believe in God and remain a true
existentialist and true believer in God?
WEEK 3
Read Camus’ The Stranger and Ecclesiastes.
PLEASE TAKE THE MID-TERM EXAMINATION BY THE END OF THIS WEEK.
WEEK 4
Read Barrett’s Irrational Man pages 1-146.
Discussion Questions:
1. What are your observations about the absurdity of humanity’s existence: being without apparent
reason, cause, or justification in the Book of Job and Camus’ The Stranger?
2. What is the difference between the theistic existentialist’s idea of salvation as expressed
in Job with the atheistic existentialist’s idea of salvation as expressed in The Stranger?
3. Ecc. 2:11 says, "Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had spent in
doing it, and again, all was vanity and a chasing after wind, and there was nothing to be gained
under the sun." Is that an expression of the absurd?
WEEK 5
Read Kierkegaard pages 1-135. Read Ionesco’s Rhinoceros.
Discussion Questions:
1. How do you respond to the inescapable absurdity of the human condition in Rhinoceros?
2. Go to http://www.anselm.edu/homepage/dbanach/exist.htm
and read the section on Ionesco. Is Ionesco an atheist or a religious man? Does it make a
difference in his play?
3. How is the individual self destroyed in Ionesco’s play?
4. Jesus says in Matt. 10:39 that, "Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose
their life for my sake will find it." Can an existentialist lose his/her self/life and remain
an existentialist? If so, how?
5. Who is Satan in Job? Can Satan be said to be a benevolent agent of God?
WEEK 6
Read Kierkegaard pages 139-300.
PLEASE TAKE THE FINAL EXAM BY THE END OF THIS WEEK.
