answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

http://www.philosophyonline.co.uk/pages/irenaean.htm =

The 'Irenaean theodicy' comes in two parts. The first stems from St Irenaeus who thought that humanity was not created perfect, but that they required growth in order to approach spiritual perfection. However, God does not necessarily intend evil to provide a means for this growth (i.e. by providing challenging situations), for a person could grow to spiritual perfection simply by obeying God's laws. Also, from Irenaeus's point of view, God does not intervene in human affairs to prevent evil because that would be to interfere with free will.

The philosopher John Hick (b.1922) has developed this view further. Hick agrees with Irenaeus that God created us with the potential for spiritual growth. However, Hick then sees the process of 'soul making' (as he calls it) to be a response to the evil in the world. So, if cancer did not exist, or the evil actions of others, then we would not have the means whereby we could develop spiritually. Also, Hick argues, there exists what he terms an 'epistemic distance' between human beings and God, so that we are not born knowing of his existence, and it is not something which it is easy to gain certain knowledge of. Therefore, the process of soul making also involves a battle to attain religious faith.

Two further consequences of Hick's theodicy should be borne in mind here: firstly, because some individuals do not seem to have opportunity to develop spiritually (e.g. in the case of infant death), Hick argues that we must bring the possibility of an afterlife into the equation (so that such soul's receive a heavenly reward); secondly, because there is such a great amount of evil in the world, and not all suffering seems fair or understandable, we must finally admit that we cannot fully understand God's reasons or His plan.

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Soul making theodicy summary by john hick?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

What is John Hick's solution to the problem of evil?

John Hick's response to the problem of evil is a revised form of Irenean theodicy. His book, Evil and the God of Love, is actually his philosophical effort to come up with a plausible response to the problem of evil. Hickean theodicy states that man needs to have an 'epistemic distance' from God in order that man may have a real choice whether to love or not to love God. Because if man is placed in a hedonistic paradise where no evil is actually possible to occur, would it still be possible for man to love and know God? Hick thinks it's not. - Kuyz


When was Pentland Hick born?

Pentland Hick was born in 1919.


When was Encounter with a Hick created?

Encounter with a Hick was created in 1967.


How tall is Hick Cady?

Hick Cady is 6' 2".


How tall is Adrianne Hick?

Adrianne Hick is 5' 6".


What is Graeme Hick's birthday?

Graeme Hick was born on May 23, 1966.


When was Graeme Hick born?

Graeme Hick was born on May 23, 1966.


When was Andrew Hick born?

Andrew Hick was born on 1971-02-11.


When was Hypnotic Hick created?

Hypnotic Hick was created on 1953-09-26.


When was W. E. Hick born?

W. E. Hick was born in 1912.


When did W. E. Hick die?

W. E. Hick died in 1974.


When was Hick Carpenter born?

Hick Carpenter was born on 1855-08-16.