Evaluation of Irenaeus and Hick's Soul-Making Theodicy (+ quotes)

Question 1

+ “Infinite suffering for finite sins”

Answer 1

Solves Hick’s issue of Augustine of “infinite suffering for finite sins” by dictating that we all develop a likeness to God and are forgiven, as emphasised by Jesus in the New Testament, without Hell. We develop ourselves rather than being perfect from the beginning, learning from bad or harmful acts

Question 2

+ Genuine goodness

Answer 2

We are more likely to be genuine in our goodness and ability to love as we have developed it ourselves - God has allowed us to develop it for ourselves, not simply in order to avoid Hell

Question 3

• Heaven for all?

Answer 3

Heaven for all seems unjust, especially given the magnitude of some evil, such as the Holocaust. The Bible teaches that those who sin will be punished in Hell - “The children of the kingdom will be cast into darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth”

Question 4

• Incentive for morality?

Answer 4

If everybody goes to heaven, then moral behaviour appears pointless. What is the reward for being good, and if we develop our ‘likeness’ to God eventually anyway, why should we attempt this development in life?

Question 5

PETER COLE

Answer 5

“Soul-making theodicy”