John Hick

• • John Hick agreed with Irenaeus’ theory (called the Irenaean Theodicy) believing humans = created with room for spiritual growth
• • Argued soul-making is a response to evil. If evils didn't exist, we wouldn't be able to develop and perfect ourselves spiritually
• • Some suffering we can never understand or rationalise, meaning we can't ever truly understand God’s reasoning or plan.
• • Believes humans are born with an immense distance between them and God (epistemic distance).
  • Good as God isn't close enough to restrict free-will.
  • Bad as we're born not knowing of God’s existence and can't easily gain said knowledge.
• • Process of soul-making involves struggle to find religious faith.