Irenaeus’ Theodicy Flashcards
1
Q
What was Irenaeus’ Theodicy?
A
- God’s aim when he created the universe was to make humans in his image
- genuine human perfection cannot be ready-made, but must be developed through free-will
- since God had to give us free choice, he had to give us the potential to disobey him
- there would be no such potential if there were never any possibility of evil. If humans were made perfect and if God policed his world continually, there would be no free-will
- Therefore, the natural order had to be designed with the possibility of causing harm, humans had to be free and God had to stand back from his creation
- humans used their free-will to disobey God, causing sin/evil/suffering
- God cannot compromise our free-will by removing evil
- Eventually, however, evil and suffering will be overcome and humans will develop into God’s likeness, living in the glory of God. This justifies temporary evil
2
Q
How did he interpret the Fall?
A
Literally
3
Q
Who did he place the blame of evil on?
A
Mostly the serpent. However, he did not think that Adam and Eve were blameless and said that God is partly responsible for evil
4
Q
Why did he think evil is necessary?
A
Genuine perfection cannot be ready-made, it has to be developed
5
Q
Quote
A
“How, if we had no knowledge of the contrary, could we have instruction in that which is good?” - evil is beneficial as it helps us learn from our mistakes
6
Q
Differences:
A
- for Irenaeus’, God is particularly responsible for evil because he created us in his image, rather than his likeness
- Irenaeus - no mention of hell, Augustine - there is
- Augustine said God created a perfect world Irenaeus said God created an imperfect world
- Irenaeus - purpose of punishment is reformation and for Augustine it is retribution
7
Q
Similarities:
A
- both take on a literal interpretation of Genesis
- both believe that evil came from free will
- both believe that sin needs punishment
- both agree genuine human perfections need to be developed and not ready made
