hick's theodicy

• John Hick created Hick's Theodicy
• Hick believes the purpose of evil is to help us become the type of humans God wants us to be

  • life is a test
• soul-deciding = path has already been decided for you - determinism

  soul-making = free will, consequences of actions determine how you end up
• God left humans imperfect so they could complete the process of creation themselves
• God had a good reason for allowing evil:

  • doesn't threaten his omnibenevolent nature
  • evil is an essential part of the development of moral perfection
• STRENGTHS of Hick's soul-making theodicy:

  • in line with the scientific theory of evolution - growth
  • epistemic distance from God - justifies evil because the end justified the means
  • allows character development - value of good
• WEAKNESSES of Hick's soul-making theodicy:

  • failure to offer solution to natural evil + animal suffering
  • doesn't offer explanation to pointless evil