Irenaeus Flashcards
Irenaeus
130 - 202 AD
A Greek Bishop known for his role in guiding and expanding Christian communities in France
What did his theodicy aim to do?
Tries to solve the problem of evil by showing that God is justified in allowing evil in the world
Why did Irenaeus believe that evil exists?
To help us grow
In this world…
… we grow to be like God through the difficulties we face
What is soul-making?
The theory that evil has to exist so humans can develop their souls
What does soul-making do?
Gives humans a chance to learn from suffering and develop moral virtues
How do we become spiritually fit?
By overcoming evil
Evolutionary Process
We are made in the image of God - we have to become more like Him
Does Augustine believe we were created perfectly?
No
What is the world?
A vale of soul-making
We were put here to prepare for Heaven
Moral/ Natural Law
Irenaeus believes that natural evil is necessary so that we have something to overcome which can bring us closer to God’s moral standards
Give an example of a Natural Evil
Earthquake
Give an example of a Moral Evil
Murder
John Hick
1922 - 2012
What did Hick believe?
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
Why did Hick believe that God made us imperfect?
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
If the process isn’t completed in this life….
… there is another realm - we keep going until the process is completed
Epistemic Distance
A gap in knowledge or understanding
Swinburne
‘Many of the moral virtues we admire are only possible in an imperfect world.’
Criticisms of Irenaean Theodicy
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?
