Analysis and Critique of Theodicy of John Hick's Soul Cultivation with a Theological Approach
Abdullah Hosseini Eskandian, Ghorbanali Karimzadeh Gharamaleki, Naser Forouhi
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ABSTRACT
The problem of evil is one of
the most important theological cases that has always been the subject of
discussion among thinkers with different religions and schools of thought for
centuries. John Hick is one of those who in Christian theology sought to defend
theism against atheistic suspicions on the basis of evil. Although John Hick
was able to dispel many of the atheistic suspicions of the likes of William
Rowe and J.L. Mackey in resolving the problem of evil to a large
extent,nevertheless, his theodicy faces criticisms and deadlocks that are
sometimes at odds with theism. Reviewing and Criticizing John Hick's theology
of soul cultivation in addition to introducing us to his lectures on solving
the problem of evil, it can also acquaint us with his theodicy deadlocks and
the criticisms leveled at them. It can provide a correct and logical defense of
theism. In this article, an attempt is made to study and analyze the problem of
evil in the theodicy of soul with a descriptive-analytical method and to
critique it with a theological approach. Although John Hick was able to dispel
some of the suspicions surrounding the problem of evil, the existence of such
things as transgression and excessive evil diminishes his theodicy power in
defending theism.
Keywords: The Problem of Evil, John Hick, Theodicy of Soul
Cultivation, Theological Approach