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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 starts appearing at the door to Elias' residence?

2. What does Elias hold as he thinks of Sabra and Shatila?

3. How do the Christians in Ibillin feel?

4. How long does Elias vow he will stay in Ibillin?

5. What does the Israeli government do in response to Elias' growing fame?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Why did the Bishop have an appointment with Elias and what was Elias's feelings about it?

4. What type of personal epiphany did Elias have at Ibillin and what did he decide?

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

6. What did Elias finally do in the church at Ibillin and what was the result?

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

8. What kind of church was Elias's first assignment and what did he vow?

9. What did Elias continue to do after Palm Sunday and what did the sisters do?

10. What was Elias doing when he knew what work remained for him and what was that work?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In "Singled Out," it is the end of 1949, and things had begun to change somewhat. The new Zionist landowners were unschooled in the proper cultivation of the orchards and needed to employ native Palestinians to care for them. Discuss one the following:

1. Compare and contrast Michael's reaction to working in his own orchards as hired help with that of Elias' reaction. Which reaction is more like to how you would feel? Which seems psychologically healthier? Which seems more in line with the doctrines of Christianity?

2. In this same chapter, it states that other villagers left for Haifa, hoping to secure better jobs in the new factories being built by the Jews. What is the irony in both this situation and in that of the former orchard owners working as hired hands in their orchards?

3. How do you think the Jewish families who steal the Palestinian lands justify such actions? Is the land stolen? Or paid for by fair market value? Even if the land is paid for, if the villager does not want to sell but is forced to do so, it that a fair exchange?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

The intellectual approach to Biblical study was frustrating for Elias, as he continued to struggle for a personal, emotional relationship with his God and Jesus. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think Elias means about having a personal, emotional relationship with God and Jesus? How does he demonstrate this?

2. Why do you think Elias' seminary emphasizes the intellectual over the emotional in terms of Christianity?

3. Why do you think the seminary wants students who do not question the material presented and who are submissive? Does this really serve the church positively? What can questioning do for one's faith ultimately?

(see the answer keys)

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