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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Elias realize is making matters worse in Ibillin?

2. What does Elias think most Europeans believe about Palestine?

3. What does Elias establish in Ibillin?

4. What does Elias set up in anticipation of his absence?

5. How does Elias feel about the situation with the Palestinians?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Elias first decide to do about the church in Ibillin? How does his efforts work?

2. What had happened in Palestine by the time Elias returned there after his studies in Paris?

3. What was the political and economic situation like in Israel in 1967?

4. What does Chacour call upon the nations who war and why does he see it as an insult to God?

5. What did Elias see as the view the Western world had of the Jews and a homeland?

6. What was Biram like when Elias returned there from his time in Paris?

7. What does Elias ask of the Jew, Westerners, and Arabs?

8. What was the reality about the Palestinians that Elias had to face in the last 1960's?

9. How was Palestine ruled until the end of World War I and then what happened?

10. What did Elias decide to do following his initial efforts in the church at Ibillin?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In May, 1948, the British withdrew from Palestine completely, leaving the Zionists to pursue their land grabs, blowing up entire villages in their path. Discuss the following:

1. Is there any justification for the Zionist policy towards the Palestinians according to Chacour? Do you think the actions of the Zionist are justfied? Why or why not?

2. What would you have done if your village was suddenly occupied by Zionist soldiers? Would you have welcomed them, tried to sabotage their purpose, or forgiven their actions?

3. How does the guilt that the Europeans experience over the Holocaust contribute to their recognizing Israel despite the violations against native Palestinians?

Essay Topic 2

At a seminary in Paris, Faraj states that, "The real problem is that Western theology starts with man as the center of all things... Elias, we've grown up believing that God is the beginning and end of all things. He is central, not an afterthought. He's alive and has His own ways. Here, they want to tame God with their philosophy " (pg. 117.) Discuss the following:

1. Do you think Faraj's condmenation of Western theology is justified? Does it seem harsh?

2. What do you think are the cultural differences between Elias' childhood world and the Western world that might make such a statement true (if it is true)?

3. Do you think such a blanket statement if fair in this situation or in any situation? What happens when one generalizes about people?

What generalizations were there about Palestinians that were not either true at all or were only true for a small number of Palestinians.

Essay Topic 3

Elias himself was the victim of the Zionists, when he and his friends were singled out as culprits in the cutting of a telephone line. He and his father were interrogated for hours and Elias beaten. Though it was later discovered that a truck had inadvertently driven over the wire, severing it, there was never an apology or an admission of a mistake. Discuss the following:

1. What might an apology have done to the situation? Why do you think the Zionist do not offer one?

2. Are hours of interrogation and a beating overboard for the offense? Why or why not?

3. In response to these events, Elias chooses to retreat to solitude, again talking to Jesus and coming to the conclusion that somehow he would become a part of God's plan for peace. Do you think this is a worthwhile plan? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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