Irenaen Theodicy Flashcards
What is the irenaean type theodicy
Irenaeus’ theodicy, also known as the “soul-making” theodicy, is an explanation for the existence of evil and suffering in a world created by an all-good, all-powerful God. Named after the early Christian theologian Irenaeus (2nd century AD), this theodicy suggests that evil and suffering have a purpose in the development and growth of human souls. Here’s a detailed outline of Irenaeus’ theodicy:
The process of soul making
The Process of Soul-Making:
Challenges and Growth: Humans face challenges and moral dilemmas, which are opportunities for growth. Without such challenges, virtues like patience, bravery, and empathy cannot develop.
Learning from Experience: Through experiencing and responding to evil and suffering, individuals learn and grow morally and spiritually.
Dependence on God: Suffering can lead individuals to recognize their dependence on God and seek a deeper relationship with Him.
The creation stages of a human
Creation in Two Stages:
Image of God: Humans were created in the “image of God,” meaning they have the potential for moral and spiritual development.
Likeness of God: Humans must grow into the “likeness of God,” meaning they must develop their moral and spiritual qualities.
What did irenues believe was going to happen to our souls
Eschatological Fulfillment:
Ultimate Good: Irenaeus believed that eventually, all souls would achieve the likeness of God. The suffering and evil experienced in life are temporary and will be outweighed by the eternal joy and perfection in the afterlife.
Universal Salvation: Some interpretations of Irenaeus’ theodicy suggest that he believed in universal salvation, where all souls will ultimately be reconciled with God.
What is the role of evil and suffering
Role of Evil and Suffering:
Soul-Making: Irenaeus argued that encountering and overcoming evil and suffering are essential for soul-making. This process allows humans to develop virtues such as courage, compassion, and faith.
Free Will: For genuine moral development, humans must have free will. The existence of free will makes the possibility of choosing evil and experiencing suffering necessary.
Strengths and weaknesses of the theory
Strengths and Criticisms:
Strengths:
Provides a purpose for suffering and evil.
Emphasizes human free will and the potential for growth.
Offers a hopeful perspective on the ultimate destiny of humanity.
Criticisms:
The extent and intensity of suffering in the world can seem disproportionate to the benefits of soul-making.
Some argue it does not adequately address the suffering of those who do not have the opportunity for moral growth (e.g., young children, those with severe cognitive impairments).
The notion of universal salvation is controversial and not universally accepted within Christianity.
A summary of his theory
In summary, Irenaeus’ theodicy presents a view where evil and suffering are integral to human development, ultimately leading to a closer relationship with God and the achievement of moral and spiritual maturity.
How did john hick develop his theory
John Hick developed Ireneu’ theodicy in his book Evil and the God of Love (1966).
Hick describes Irenaus’ theodicy as a soul-making’ theodicy (a reference to John Keats idea that the world was a proving ground for human beings who earned their salvation, not simply by belief in a saviour figure, but rather by working through the trials and tribulations of everyday existence). Hick also makes the point that in order to be truly free, human beings had to be created at an ‘epistemic distance’ from God.
In this, humans were placed in a situation where the existence and non-existence of God were equally likely. This therefore allowed true human freedom to exist in terms of how they then responded to God. God could not create humans who were spiritually perfect or who were immediately aware of his existence for the simple reason that, in the first instance, goodness developed through free choice is more valuable than goodness that is ready-made’ and, in the second instance, this would restrict choices made as humanity would be constantly aware of being watched’ and would therefore make all decisions in the light of this knowledge. Hick also accepted the idea that God’s mercy would allow for all human beings to complete the process of developing spiritual perfection - if not in this life, then in the next.
Challenges to the theory
- all humans will eventually all have perfection so how are they meant to know what’s good and bad, it also helps develops their own spiritual maturity and doesn’t give them as much free will
- if the loving god is all loving suffering would never be an intsrument
- its an unequal distributon of evil and suffering
