Revisiting the Irenaean Theodicy
The Irenaean Theodicy presents a unique perspective on the problem of evil, emphasizing qualities such as human likeness to God, free will, and the role of evil in shaping character towards perfection. It posits that suffering contributes to moral and spiritual development, ultimately leading to a promised Heaven for all. However, criticisms highlight concerns about the fairness of universal salvation and the unequal distribution of suffering, raising questions about the validity of such a theological framework.
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Summary Tasks Summarise the theodicy in five points 1. Image of God likeness 2. No coercion therefore genuine free will - freedom 3. Evil encourages characteristics for perfection 4. Heaven for all 5. No evil no development placidity, stagnation, no temptation
Challenges to Irenaean type Theodicies Concept of universal salvation unjust; evil and suffering should not be used as a tool by an omnibenevolent God; immensity of suffering unequal distribution of evil and suffering.
Challenges To get you thinking... Baby Peter was tortured and brutally murdered by his mother s boyfriend. He died in 2008, aged 17 months. How would the Irenaean theodicy respond to the suffering endured by Baby P? Baby P s mother and stepfather failed to overcome the lure of sin and as such have not progressed towards the likeness of God Hearing about the suffering of Baby P enables others to develop essential human characteristics such as compassion and sympathy. What problems with the Irenaean theodicy does the suffering of baby P highlight? Discuss in pairs and prepare to feedback.
AO2 - Weaknesses Can you think of any weaknesses of the Irenaean Theodicy?
Criticisms of Irenaean type theodicies His theodicy allows room for the modern concept of evolution and avoids Augustine s theory that evil appears from nowhere. However it has in its turn attracted criticisms: the concept of Heaven for all seems unjust. The immensity is unacceptable gravity of suffering is unequal. suffering can never be an expression of God s love - unloving It is not compatible with some Christian teachings - unbiblical
The concept of Heaven for All/Universal Salvation Seems Unjust Irenaeus and Hick s view that everyone will go to heaven is criticised. It doesn t seem fair how can God therefore be just ? Religious people object to it because it contradicts religious texts including the Bible and the Qur an, which promise punishment for the unrighteous. It also makes moral behaviour pointless what is the point in going out of your way to be good? Removes free will what if we refuse to mature?
Unloving Suffering can never be an expression of God s love Love can never be expressed by allowing any amount of suffering, no matter what the reason. D.Z. Phillips argued that it would never be justifiable to hurt somebody in order to help them. Just think about ALL of the suffering in the world today! Maybe there is a better way to this process why was the natural environment created through a long and painful process? Why didn t an all- powerful God do it instantly? Could greater goods be achieved with less suffering?
The intensity of Suffering and unequal distribution of evil and suffering is Unacceptable We might not be automated beings BUT does our world need to contain the amount and severity of evil that is found in such events as the Holocaust? Would it not have been sufficient for 4 millions Jews to die rather than 6 million? Who has inflicted this upon us? Who has allowed us to suffer so terribly up till now? It is God that has made us as we are, but it will be God, too, who will raise us up again. If we bear all this suffering and if there are still Jews left, when it is over, then Jews, instead of being doomed, will be held up as an example. Anne Frank
Unbiblical Contradicts Christian belief in Genesis God created the world and saw that it was ____ It also contradicts the Christian idea that Jesus is the saviour and makes the idea of atoning for sins, superfluous and unnecessary
Conclusion The Irenaean theodicy can t be accepted without a few difficulties. However as with the theodicy of Augustine its emphasis on free will has proved a popular defence.
Evaluation points Decide which you think is the most convincing criticism and why Decide which you think is the least convincing criticism and why
1 Hick has removed the logical problem of evil appearing from out of the blue by accepting that God s perfect world was not perfect. What problems does Hick now face? 2 Can evil or suffering ever be valuable? Consider some examples, perhaps where you suffered. Are there any occasions where looking back you are glad that you experienced suffering?
3. Imagine that you are free to choose good or evil, but every time you choose an evil deed, God intervenes and prevents harm resulting from it. How would the knowledge that God will always stop harm resulting change the way you live your life? Would you like to live in such a world? Why might Hick say that you are no longer human?
4. Think about why you are studying philosophy. Why do your teachers not simply answer the exam questions for you, and give you a copy of the answers? What is the difference between this situation and Hick s argument that the omnipotent God needed to allow humans to develop for themselves?
5. Imagine that wherever you drove in your car, the Chief of Police were to accompany you. Would you still be free to break the speed limit? In practice, however, would you exceed it? 6. Why do you think that many people find Hick s theory much more credible than Augustine s?
7. If you had known, at school, that no matter what you did with your time you were going to gain the top grades in every exam, how would your behaviour have differed? Why might you not have benefited yourself from guaranteed success?
AO2 - Strengths Can you think of any strengths of the Irenaean Theodicy? Evaluate the strengths Complete page 35
God is merciful, all humans will get to heaven Compatible with Christian traditions heaven Focuses on the value of free will Choice e.g. King and peasant girl Evil and suffering are acknowledged and can help human beings achieve spiritual and moral perfection Can develop - Courage World wasn t created perfectly (as Augustine claimed) Compatible with evolution Part of God s plan Can explain natural/moral
Evaluating the Irenaean Theodicy Weaknesses 1. The idea that everyone goes to heaven is unjust 2. Is the magnitude of suffering really necessary for soul making? e.g. the Holocaust Unacceptable and uneven 3. D.Z. Phillips in The Concept of Prayer argued that the continuation of evil and suffering is not a demonstration of love from an omnibenevolent God unloving 4. it is inconsistent with traditional Christianity and The Fall of Genesis 3 unbiblical It also demotes Jesus role from saviour to moral role model Strengths 1. Christian tradition 2. Choice king and peasant 3. Can develop- Courage etc. 4. Compatible with science and evolution 5. Can explain natural and moral evil
