HICKS SOUL MAKING THEODICY STRENGTHS

Question 1

Epistemic Distance can justify any kind of evil (by saying it is beyond our understanding)

Answer 1

Hick can use the ‘Epistemic Distance’ to justify any form of evil, including animal suffering and apparently pointless suffering. The ‘distance’ between humanity and God means our knowledge is limited. His thesis is that the end (heaven for all) justifies the means.

Question 2

It is consistent with St Irenaeus’ ideas about the purpose of evil

Answer 2

Hick’s theodicy has roots in the thinking of Irenaeus and Origen. Hick’s contemporary theodicy is grounded in Irenaeus’ 2nd century thinking. He believed that the purpose of God creating this world was soul-making for rational moral agents. We are not created perfectly but in a state of imperfection, so that we may rise to perfection. In order to achieve the ‘likeness’ of God described in Genesis, we must be refined and developed.
Humans are a work in progress.

Question 3

It is consistent with evolution and the idea that humanity develops over time

Answer 3

Darwin’s theory of evolution teaches that humans physically developed over time. Similarly, Hick’s theodicy teaches that our souls develop over time. It makes sense that humans are a ‘work in progress’.

Question 4

The idea of universal salvation is compatible with beliefs about
God’s omnibenevolence

Answer 4

Hick’s theodicy teaches that we will all ultimately achieve God’s ‘likeness’ and the perfection necessary to enter Heaven. This is known as ‘universalism’ - the idea that everybody will ultimately be saved. This is arguably more benevolent than Augustine’s ‘soul-deciding’ theodicy, where everybody is born into sinfulness but only a selective few will be saved. With this theodicy, everybody has the opportunity…..and WILL ultimately be saved.