Irenaean

• St Irenaeus: greek origin, christian family, was a bishop, 2 lost texts, one found. Was a protege of polycarp, and a member of st john the evangelist.
• Soul Making Theodicy: idea that evil exists to make us learn and develop character.
• Irenaean and reaching divine likeness: made in gods image; but need to grow throughout history into his likeness. Adam and eve were like children, they disobeyed a simple rule.
• Irenaean says that the fall of adam and eve is not a catastrophe but just a part of 'growing up'. He does not have the same sence of original sin as found in later writers.
• Irenaeus says that god wanted humans to mature over a lengthy time, not just a simple lifetime. He sent jesus to help us learn. Evil has the purpose of soul making
• Irenaeus says god sends evil to help us learn the right way through experience. Without evil we would not learn goodness/repentance.
• Irenaeus: worthwhile things are only gained with difficulty, only then do we understand their value. We must be patient and give god time to allow humanity to develop and become perfect.
• Irenaeus: believed the work of god is ongoing, free choice of humanity with workings of god. Suggests the continuation of soul making into the next life. Irenaeus has no doubt hell is a place for those who reject god, and contains eternal suffering.
• Avoids pelagianism which argues that we can be worthy of god wholly through our own efforts.
• Analogy of the the potter: God has made us and our creation is actively happening. We must remain 'moudable' and allow his work to continue and he will reward us. Become 'hard' and we will lose our lives.
• Irenaus: it is the same god who made both heaven and hell. He is prepare for those who reject him with eternal fire. He is prepared to reward others.