Soul Making Theodicy

For hundreds of years, philosophers and theologians have struggled to explain how God is all-loving when there is evil in the world. When bad things happen, is it because God does not have the power to stop them? Or, is there a reason that He allows them to happen? Many people believe that God permits evil to exist in the world because it is the only way that humans become moral beings. This belief is known as the soul making theodicy.

Perfecting souls through suffering

In 1966, the soul making theodicy was articulated by a philosopher named John Hick. According to Hick, the presence of evil is necessary in order for people to develop good morals. When people suffer, as a result of bad things happening to them, their understanding of goodness is increased. God permits evil to perfect the souls of humankind.

Evil comes from mankind, not God

Hick's ideas about the nature of God and evil are controversial. Many theologians argue that God is not responsible for all evil, and that the true source of evil is actually humans themselves. They argue that humankind is inherently sinful, and that evil is traced back to human decisions and behavior rather than God's will.

Suffering is not instructive

Some philosophers argue that suffering does not actually teach mankind anything about virtue or morals. Suffering only leads to more evil, because when people are in pain they are more likely to succumb to anger or fear.

The soul making theodicy is just one belief, out of many, that seeks to explain how God is good, yet still permits evil. Many people find peace in this belief, while others feel it is false. To this day, philosophers continue the debate.