John Hick's theodicy HW.docx

John Hick's Irenaen Theodicy: John Hick and Genesis: John Hick believed that the fall of man was not literal, he disagreed with Augustine and argued that we are not seminally present in Adam. Hick further rejects the idea that fallen angels cause natural disasters. He believed that Genesis and the...

John Hick's Irenaen Theodicy: John Hick and Genesis: John Hick believed that the fall of man was not literal, he disagreed with Augustine and argued that we are not seminally present in Adam. Hick further rejects the idea that fallen angels cause natural disasters. He believed that Genesis and the story of Adam and Eve attempted to explore the concept of evil in Gods world. John Hick believed that this references the idea that we will grow to have a relationship with God. 1. The problem to be solved. Hick rejected the literal translation of the Garden of Eden story. In his book Evil and the God of Love he stated that the role of mythology is to examine some of the great mysteries of human existence using striking imagery that is not easily forgotten. The important part of the myth is not the imagery but the question which is being addressed; in this case the problem of evil. 2. Human beings Stage 2 -- Likeness. This word is used to refer to when human beings have achieved 'likeness' with God. By this Hick meant when, in the future, human beings grow into a relationship with God. (Post mortem) 3. The Fall. In the Augustine theodicy The Fall plays a huge role as it is how human beings have moved away from harmony, God and perfection. However, with Hick's theodicy we are not to see the fall literally. It forms a part of a myth which demonstrates how far we are from God. Hick believed that if we were created by God to be perfect than we would have no more free will. Hick believes that there is an 'epistemic distance' between God and man. 4. The World Hick believed that the world existed as a soul making place. This mean that the world is not a perfect place. The traits which we gain through our free will are much more important than ones which would be simply given to us in the Augustine Theodicy. Hick believes that there is an animal side to us that we have evolved from which causes us to do bad. 5. The problem of natural disasters. Hick believes that natural disasters are present because the challenges create a place for intellectual, imaginative and moral development. Hick believes that we must have danger in the world in order for our development to be worthwhile. 6. Eschatological aspect Eschatological -- refers to that will happen at the time or in the last days. In the Irenaen theodicy people only become made in the image of God prior to death. Hick suggests that everyone will be saved and in the presence of God after death. Hick also supports the concept of universal salvation. +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | Strengths | Weaknesses | +===================================+===================================+ | Does not take Genesis literally | The argument that God | | and is more aligned with modern | allowed/made a hostile work with | | science. The idea of God making | evil in suffering with the | | humans seems to instantaneously | purpose of it allowing humans to | | clash with science and the Big | grow sees to not fit with the | | Bang Theory. | excessive evil that exists. | | | | | It is an optimistic theory -- it | Natural disasters seems to not be | | gives people hope of being saved | able to be justified by Hick's | | and argues that we all have a | natural argument, it causes more | | role in our salvation. | than merely obstacles. | | | | | Some argue that original sin | Some argue that examples such as | | seems illogical -- a God who | tsunamis killing infants, | | creates humans and then allows | suggests that if God has made | | all of humanity to be damned | evil for a purpose, then it is | | seems unfair. | flawed. | | | | | The idea of soul-making allows | In Hicks theodicy God seems to be | | others to get to heaven. This | responsible for evil. | | seems more compatible with a | | | benevolent God in a | Universal salvation -- what is | | post-enlightenment society. | the point in suffering if we are | | | all going to heaven | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+