Irenaeus

Question 1

Irenaeus

Answer 1

130 - 202 AD

A Greek Bishop known for his role in guiding and expanding Christian communities in France

Question 2

What did his theodicy aim to do?

Answer 2

Tries to solve the problem of evil by showing that God is justified in allowing evil in the world

Question 3

Why did Irenaeus believe that evil exists?

Answer 3

To help us grow

Question 4

In this world…

Answer 4

… we grow to be like God through the difficulties we face

Question 5

What is soul-making?

Answer 5

The theory that evil has to exist so humans can develop their souls

Question 6

What does soul-making do?

Answer 6

Gives humans a chance to learn from suffering and develop moral virtues

Question 7

How do we become spiritually fit?

Answer 7

By overcoming evil

Question 8

Evolutionary Process

Answer 8

We are made in the image of God - we have to become more like Him

Question 9

Does Augustine believe we were created perfectly?

Answer 9

No

Question 10

What is the world?

Answer 10

A vale of soul-making

We were put here to prepare for Heaven

Question 11

Moral/ Natural Law

Answer 11

Irenaeus believes that natural evil is necessary so that we have something to overcome which can bring us closer to God’s moral standards

Question 12

Give an example of a Natural Evil

Answer 12

Earthquake

Question 13

Give an example of a Moral Evil

Answer 13

Murder

Question 14

John Hick

Answer 14

1922 - 2012

Question 15

What did Hick believe?

Answer 15

We develop through decisions and choices we make in life
He agreed that humans were imperfect so they could develop into God’s likeness
We are created with the potential to be in a relationship with God

Question 16

Why did Hick believe that God made us imperfect?

Answer 16

If we were made in the presence of God (perfect), we would have to love God
We must have the option to turn away from God, otherwise we wouldn’t have freewill

Question 17

If the process isn’t completed in this life….

Answer 17

… there is another realm - we keep going until the process is completed

Question 18

Epistemic Distance

Answer 18

A gap in knowledge or understanding

Question 19

Swinburne

Answer 19

‘Many of the moral virtues we admire are only possible in an imperfect world.’

Question 20

Criticisms of Irenaean Theodicy

Answer 20

Is suffering the only way to create moral growth?
Do the ends justify the means?
Does all suffering result in moral growth?
Is universal salvation fair?