Hick : SMT

Question 1

What is a theodicy ?

Answer 1

Attempt to defend existence of attribute of God against evil and suffering in the world
Defending existence of God

Question 2

What does Hick (irenaean approach ) say to evil and suffering

Answer 2

If we do not experience any challenges or difficulties we cannot grow our personalities and not learn anything morally

Question 3

What is evil apart of according to Hicks

Answer 3

Character development , opportunity to help theisits to explain why God allows evil and suffering because it is necessary part of character development and God shapes world to perfection

Question 4

How does Hick describe the world ?

Answer 4

Vale of soul making , where things happen for our own good

Question 5

Criticism of STM theories

Answer 5

• people do not always have character development
• God is perfect, powerful and loving so why did he create an imperfect world

Question 6

What is irenaen theodicies according to hick ?

Answer 6

Soul making theodicies

Question 7

What did irenean theodicy link to according to Hixks

Answer 7

Genisis where God creates humans both in his image and likeness which true likeness is chosen so free will to CHOOSE to be like God

Question 8

If we want a complete and genuine relationship with God what must happen according to Hicks ?

Answer 8

Free will must be complete and genuine

Question 9

Where does true freedom come from according to Hick

Answer 9

From the Possibility of suffering and evil if we have choice then all consequences are possible

Question 10

From the Possibility of suffering and evil if we have choice then all consequences are possible , what do we get from God according to Hick ?

Answer 10

Divine inaction from God
God does not stop or interfere with evil

Question 11

What does Hick we have between God and humanity

Answer 11

Epistemic distance

Question 12

What is an epistemic distance according to Hick ?

Answer 12

Gap in Knowledge Between God and humans that God gives us the space so we can use our freedom fully and know God fully

Question 13

Why is choice good according to Hick ?

Answer 13

If God presented himself to us then no possibility to doubt his existence and faith in God would NOT be a choice but if we have a choice is because we willingly want to choose to believe in God and are not forced

Question 14

What did Hick believe the world is

Answer 14

Instrumentally good

Question 15

Why is the world instrumentally good ?

Answer 15

For our development into Gods likeness

Question 16

What is the first step of the vale of soul making ?

Answer 16

We are made in Gods image so must develop into his likeness

Question 17

What is the 2nd step of vale of soul making ?

Answer 17

We try to come to fuller Knowledge of God and overcome the epistemic distance

Question 18

What is the 3rd step of vale of soul making ?

Answer 18

This is only possible by free will , we must freely choose to be with God
- God consequently enacts divine inactive

Question 19

What is 4th step to vale of soul making ?

Answer 19

We must respond as God would to suffering and evil

Question 20

What is the 5th and last step of vale of soul making ?

Answer 20

Our responds to evil and suffering develops our virtues such as compassion and charity and helps us to develop and grow as people.

Question 21

What is hell for Hick ?

Answer 21

Development characteristic for universal salvation as God cannot send someone to hell forever or he would not be loving