Irenaean theodicy

• What is the Irenaean theodicy?

  God allows evil and suffering as he gave us free will, if he controlled everything we did we would be his puppets, and what is the point in creation?
• Why do we need evil?

  To appreciate the good
• What does Irenaeus say about image and likeness?

  We can reach likeness by resisting temptation, and coping with our imperfections

  Being given goodness at creating would be meaningless
• Why could we not have had likeness from the start?

  We were not spiritually ready for it - we can only get it in the afterlife
• What does Kant say about free will?


  We can only act morally if we have the choice
• What are the strengths of the Irenaean theodicy?

  • Doesn’t rely on Adam and Eve
  • Stresses balance of good and evil
  • Emphasises importance of free will
  • Sets a purpose to work towards
• What are the weaknesses of the Irenaean theodicy?

  • Suggests God created evil, so he cannot be omnibenevolent
  • Depends on belief in the after life
  • Some evil is unnecessary
  • Why could we not have been born with the knowledge of right and wrong?