02 Challenges To Religion - C Irenaeus’ Theodicy Flashcards
Summarise Irenaeus’ theodicy.
-he argues that evil is a result of free will.
-he suggested that God didn’t create a perfect world.
-God created humans imperfectly so that they can develop into perfection.
what is Irenaeus’ theodicy based on?
genesis
what does Irenaeus’ theodicy focus on?
‘God made us in his image and likeness.’
Quote genesis 1:26
Then God said, “Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness.”
What does Irenaeus mean by moving from potential towards actualisation?
This life as a place where human beings develop their potential and grow from the image (possessing the potential of God’s spiritual perfection) to the likeness (actualising those qualities) of God through the trials and tribulations that they face and the decisions they make.
According to Irenaeus’ Theodicy, for every moral decision faced where a good choice is freely made, what does the individual then develop?
more fully towards spiritual maturity.
What can courage, compassion and forgiveness only be developed through according to Irenaeus’ theodicy?
as a response to the suffering of our self and others.
How does Irenaeus say we move from image to likeness?
God created us imperfectly so that through moral decisions we can develop into his likeness.
Why did God give us free will according to Ireneaus?
Because God could not have created us perfect from the start because he needs our willing co-operation.
What does freedom require according to Irenaeus?
the possibility of choosing good over evil.
Why did God have to allow evil and suffering according to Irenaues?
Because freedom requires the possibility of choosing good over evil.
Why does Irenaeus say that God cannot intervene with evil and suffering?
Because our free will would be lost.
According to Irenaeus, what does extreme suffering allow us to develop?
Higher order goods (virtues).
What does Irenaeus conclude will happen in the end?
all evil will overcome and the human race will develop into perfection.
Why is Irenaeus’ theodicy soul- making?
we grow into perfection.
Explain Ireneaus’ analogy of God as a craftsman.
-He uses an analogy of God as a craftsman, humans are his material, humans should allow God to mould us into perfection by allowing the experiences of life, good and bad, to make us more perfect.
Compare Irenaeus’ theodicy to parenting?
It is just like our parents allow us to make our own mistakes believing that it was in our own interests to learn for ourselves, so God creates a world for us in which we learn to grow and mature for ourselves.
How does Irenaeus allow God’s mercy to continue into the afterlife?
Individuals who have rejected God in this life will have the opportunity to earn his forgiveness and develop spiritual perfection in the afterlife. This allows God to remain both just and good in the face of the temporary suffering experienced by creation.
Who developed Irenaeus’ theodicy?
John Hick.
What does John Hick say we would be like if God made us perfect?
robots, programmed to love him.
What does Hick say we need in order to be truly free?
human beings had to be created at an epistemic distance from God.
What is epistemic distance?
A distance measured in terms of knowledge.
What does Hick say that suffering allows Humans to develop?
admirable qualities such as love or courage.
What does Hick describe Irenaeus’ theodicy as?
soul making.
