Hick’s universalism and view of purgatory

Question 1

Question: What did John Hick believe about purgatory?

Answer 1

Answer: John Hick believed in a type of purgatory where after death, people could continue to exist in a ‘resurrection’ world to redeem themselves and grow spiritually (soul-making).

Question 2

Question: How does Hick’s purgatory concept relate to his universalism?

Answer 2

Answer: Hick’s purgatory concept is part of his universalism, which holds that all people will eventually be saved, as an omnibenevolent God would not damn anyone to eternal punishment.

Question 3

Question: According to Hick, why would an omnibenevolent God not condemn anyone to Hell?

Answer 3

Answer: Hick argues that it cannot be just for any person, no matter how much evil they have done, to receive eternal punishment, aligning with his view of universal salvation.

Question 4

Question: What does Hick’s universalism propose about the fate of all people?

Answer 4

Answer: Hick’s universalism proposes that ultimately, all people will be saved, regardless of their actions or beliefs during their earthly life.

Question 5

Question: How do some people react to the idea of universalism, particularly regarding individuals like Hitler?

Answer 5

Answer: Many people find the idea unsettling that individuals like Hitler could potentially be redeemed and go to heaven, even if it takes a long period of spiritual growth and purification.

Question 6

Question: What ethical concerns arise from Hick’s universalism, particularly regarding justice and punishment?

Answer 6

Answer: Hick’s universalism raises ethical questions about the justice of allowing individuals who have committed heinous acts, such as Hitler, to eventually attain salvation.

Question 7

Question: According to Hume, why is eternal punishment in Hell unjust?

However

Answer 7

Answer: Hume argues that eternal punishment for finite crimes is unjust because punishment should be proportional to the offense, and infinite punishment is disproportionate to any finite wrongdoing.

Question 8

Question: What is Hume’s view on proportionality in justice?

However

Answer 8

Answer: Hume asserts that true justice requires punishment to be proportional to the crime committed; excessive punishment, such as eternal damnation, cannot be considered just.

Question 9

Question: How does Hume’s reasoning support Hick’s argument against Hell?

However

Answer 9

Answer: Hume’s argument aligns with Hick’s view that eternal punishment in Hell is incompatible with omnibenevolence because it imposes infinite punishment for finite moral offenses.

Question 10

Question: What is Hick’s soul-making theodicy?

However

Answer 10

Answer: Hick’s soul-making theodicy suggests that the purpose of life and the afterlife is for individuals to grow spiritually and morally, which supports his idea of purgatory as a means of continuing spiritual growth after death.

Question 11

Question: How does Hick’s universalism relate to the concept of purgatory?

However

Answer 11

Answer: Hick’s universalism posits that all individuals will eventually be redeemed and spiritually perfected, possibly through a process akin to purgatory where souls continue to develop and improve.

Question 12

Question: What theological implications arise from Hick’s argument regarding Hell and omnibenevolence?

However

Answer 12

Answer: Hick’s argument challenges traditional views of Hell by questioning its compatibility with the omnibenevolence of God, suggesting that eternal damnation is unjust and disproportionate to human actions.

Question 13

Hick’s universalism is often criticised…

Answer 13

Hick’s universalism is often criticised for making moral action purposeless because you will go to heaven regardless of how you act.

Question 14

However, Hick’s soul-making theodicy attempts to address this by claiming…

Answer 14

However, Hick’s soul-making theodicy attempts to address this by claiming that good moral behaviour is needed to be saved but everyone has limitless ‘chances’ to become virtuous. Very immoral people like Hitler would thus not instantly go to heaven, and it might take him a very long time to improve morally enough to go there!