Original scientific paper
A Critical Overview of John Hick ’s “Soul-Making Theodicy“
Danijel Tolavajčić
; Katilički bogoslovni fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Abstract
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to provide an overview and a critical analysis of John Hick’s “Soul Making Theodicy.“ Soul Making Theodicy is one of the most intriguing developments in contemporary debates about the problem of evil. In contrast to the traditional mainstream Augustinian type of theodicy (which interprets evil as a product of the fall from the original state of grace), Hick is following the Church Father Irenaeus, interpreting the world and various present evils as stages necessary in the process of “soul-making“, the evolution towards a more mature state, which he calls “God’s likeness“. Humans are created as immature creatures living in a person-making world, and God’s plan for humanity is to make it gradually more god-like. Author is trying to point out some weaknesses in Hick’s position.
Keywords
John Hick; Irenaeus; augustinian theodicy; soul making theodicy; problem of evil; suffering
Hrčak ID:
177606
URI
Publication date:
6.3.2017.
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