John Hick's Theodicy vs. St. Augustine's Theodicy

Attribute	John Hick's Theodicy	St. Augustine's Theodicy
Origin	Evil is necessary for soul-making	Evil is a privation of good
View on Free Will	Believes in libertarian free will	Believes in compatibilist free will
View on God's Omnipotence	God is limited in power to prevent evil	God is all-powerful and permits evil for a greater good
View on Original Sin	Rejects the concept of original sin	Believes in original sin as the source of evil

Introduction

When it comes to theodicy, the attempt to reconcile the existence of evil and suffering with the existence of a benevolent and all-powerful God, two prominent theologians stand out: John Hick and St. Augustine. Both Hick and Augustine offer unique perspectives on the problem of evil, drawing from different theological traditions and philosophical frameworks. In this article, we will compare and contrast the attributes of John Hick's Theodicy and St. Augustine's Theodicy, exploring their key differences and similarities.

John Hick's Theodicy

John Hick, a contemporary philosopher of religion, presents a theodicy that is rooted in the concept of soul-making. According to Hick, the existence of evil and suffering in the world is necessary for the development and growth of human souls. He argues that God allows evil to exist in order to provide individuals with the opportunity to cultivate virtues such as compassion, courage, and resilience. Hick's theodicy emphasizes the importance of free will and the moral growth that can result from facing and overcoming adversity.

• Hick's theodicy is centered around the idea of soul-making.
• He believes that evil is necessary for the development of human souls.
• Hick emphasizes the role of free will in the existence of evil.
• According to Hick, facing adversity can lead to moral growth and virtue.

St. Augustine's Theodicy

St. Augustine, a theologian and philosopher from the early Christian tradition, offers a theodicy that is based on the concept of the Fall of Man. Augustine argues that evil and suffering entered the world as a result of Adam and Eve's disobedience in the Garden of Eden. He believes that human beings are born with original sin, inherited from the first humans, and that this sinfulness is the root cause of all evil and suffering in the world. Augustine's theodicy emphasizes the fallen nature of humanity and the need for divine grace and redemption.

• Augustine's theodicy is based on the concept of the Fall of Man.
• He attributes the existence of evil to Adam and Eve's disobedience.
• Augustine believes that humans are born with original sin.
• He emphasizes the fallen nature of humanity and the need for divine grace.

Comparison

While both John Hick and St. Augustine address the problem of evil and suffering in their theodicies, they do so from different theological perspectives. Hick's theodicy focuses on the idea of soul-making and the moral growth that can result from facing adversity, while Augustine's theodicy centers around the concept of original sin and the fallen nature of humanity. Hick emphasizes the importance of free will and personal development, while Augustine highlights the need for divine grace and redemption.

• Hick's theodicy emphasizes moral growth and personal development.
• Augustine's theodicy focuses on the fallen nature of humanity and the need for divine grace.
• Hick highlights the role of free will in the existence of evil.
• Augustine attributes the existence of evil to original sin.

Contrast

One key difference between John Hick's Theodicy and St. Augustine's Theodicy is their views on the nature of evil and suffering. Hick sees evil as a necessary component of the human experience, providing individuals with opportunities for growth and moral development. In contrast, Augustine views evil as a consequence of human sinfulness and disobedience, inherited from the Fall of Man. While Hick emphasizes the potential for good to come out of evil, Augustine focuses on the need for divine intervention and redemption to overcome the effects of sin.

• Hick sees evil as a necessary component for moral growth.
• Augustine views evil as a consequence of human sinfulness.
• Hick emphasizes the potential for good to come out of evil.
• Augustine highlights the need for divine intervention to overcome sin.

Conclusion

In conclusion, John Hick's Theodicy and St. Augustine's Theodicy offer distinct perspectives on the problem of evil and suffering in the world. While Hick's theodicy focuses on the idea of soul-making and personal development through adversity, Augustine's theodicy centers around the concept of original sin and the fallen nature of humanity. Both theodicies highlight the complex relationship between God, humanity, and evil, but they do so from different theological frameworks and philosophical perspectives.