Name: Episode 193: Hick’s Irenaean-Evolutionary Theodicy (Continued) Process Theodicy
Uploaded: 2017-09-25T18:52:54.910Z
Duration: 4 min 13 s

阿尔伯塔大学

Science & Religion 101

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This course examines the nature of both science and religion and attempts to explore the possible relationships between them. The primary purpose is to dispel the popular myth that science and religion are entrenched in a never-ending conflict. As a result, this course argues that if the limits of both science and religion are respected, then their relationship can be complementary. Topics include: Science and Religion Categories and Foundational Principles, Definitions of Science and Religion, Science-Religion Models and Relationships, Intelligent Design and Natural Revelation, the Galileo Affair, Geology and Noah’s Flood, Evolution and Darwin’s Religious Beliefs, the Modern “Evolution” vs. “Creation” Debate, the Problem of Evil, and Interpretations of the Biblical Accounts of Origins in Genesis 1-11. The course employs a Constructive Teaching Style in order that students can develop their personal views on the relationship between science and religion and on each of the topics listed above. St. Joseph's College is a Catholic, undergraduate, liberal arts college on the University of Alberta campus. It is an independent institution that is affiliated with the University of Alberta.

从本节课中

The Problem of Evil

The final section of the course deals with the problem of evil. If God is all-loving, all-knowing, and all-powerful, then why are there horrid natural realities like cancers and earthquakes, as well as moral evils like rape, murder, and genocides? Four basic approaches to theodicy (justifications for evil in the world) are presented—Augustinian, Irenaean, Hick’s Irenaean-Evolutionary, and Process Theology. In particular, we examine Greater Good and Pedagogical Arguments in theodicies. In light of the two foundation principles of this course, we conclude that it is possible for Science and Religion to be a peaceful and fruitful relationship. The Metaphysics-Physics Principle cautions us not to conflate our metaphysical beliefs with science. In particular, the belief that biological evolution is necessarily atheistic is a misguided conflation. It is perfectly logical, through a step of faith, to believe evolution has been ordained and sustained by a Creator. The Message-Incident Principle underlines that the Bible is not a book of science offering facts of nature ahead of their discovery by scientists. It is quite reasonable for religious people to embrace a non-concordist hermeneutic and to believe that God accommodated to the intellectual level of the ancient biblical writers by employing their ancient science to deliver inerrant spiritual truths.

Episode 190: Key Thoughts5:32

Episode 191: Traditional Approaches to Theodicy. Categories of Evil. Augustinian Theodicy4:44

Episode 192: Irenaean Theodicy & Hick’s Irenaean-Evolutionary Theodicy4:17

Episode 193: Hick’s Irenaean-Evolutionary Theodicy (Continued) Process Theodicy4:13

Episode 194: Toward a Christian Hypothesis on Theodicy (Lamoureux). (1) Biblical Considerations5:32

Episode 195: Toward a Theodicy (1) Biblical Considerations (Continued)6:05

Episode 196: Toward a Theodicy (2) Logical Considerations4:49

Episode 197: Toward a Theodicy (2) Logical Considerations (Continued)4:53

Episode 198: Toward a Theodicy (3) Experiential Considerations4:10

Episode 199: Conclusion: Toward a Christian Hypothesis on Theodicy4:59

Hermeneutics 18: Augustine's Warning to Christians regarding Science & Religion5:31

与讲师见面

Denis Lamoureux
Associate Professor
St. Joseph's College

Episode 193, in quote four John Hick employs

the traditional theological concepts of Deus Absconditus and Deus Revelatus.

Deus Absconditus is Latin for the god who hides and

this notion refers to the hidden character of God.

As it notes, because of the distancing of God,

the world can be seen as purely natural phenomena and

as an autonomous system and ultimately as if God does not exist.

Deus Revelatus is Latin for the god who reveals.

And this concept deals with the revealing character of God.

From this perspective, Hick suggest that the world can be viewed as mediating His,

that is God's presence, and being seen as God's creation.

The question immediately arises,

is the natural world religiously ambiguous, as Hick states?

In other words, is there a balance between Deus Absconditus and Deus Revelatus?

Or is the natural world religiously unambiguous?

For example, consider a topic that we've dealt with many times in this course,

natural revelation.

Romans 1 and Wisdom 13 state that the world points to God's existence, and

that humans are accountable and without excuse regarding this revelation.

According to Scripture, the creation is not religiously ambiguous,

rather it definitely declares God's glory and workmanship, as stated in Psalm 19.

In light of these traditional theological concepts of Deus Absconditus and

Deus Revelatus, we can revisit a notion that I introduced in the section on

Darwin's religious beliefs, the Theodicean Juxtaposition.

This concept asserts that the impact of intelligent design in nature is

an overpowering response to the existence of both moral evil and

horrid natural realities.

In other words, Deus Revelatus trumps Deus Absconditus.

Consequently, intelligent design is an incessant voice in the world declaring,

number one, God is in complete control of the world.

And number two, God is completely knowledgeable of moral evil and

horrid natural realities.

Another modern theodicy worth mentioning is Process Theodicy.

It's also known as the theodicy held by Process Theology or Theology of Nature.

As we noted in the section on models of science and religion,

Process Theology reformulates traditional Christian doctrines.

The basic principle this theodicy claims, that God and

humans are in a never-ending process of becoming.

In other words, God is grovelling along through time, just like humans.

The god of Process Theodicy is the god of panentheism.

No, this is not pantheism, whereby everything is God.

Rather, this is a dipolar god.

It embraces the belief that the world and

God are inseparable realities yet distinct realities.

And this divine being can be depicted with the world as God's body and

God as the world's mind or soul.

In particular, Process Theodicy rejects the traditional view of God's omniscience.

In other words, God is not all-knowing.

It also rejects the traditional view of God's omnipotence.

And consequently, God is not all-powerful.

Therefore according to Process Theodicy, God cannot do anything about moral evil

and horrid natural realities because God is not in control of the world.

In this way, Process Theodicy deflects the responsibility of moral evil and

horrid natural realities away from God.

End of episode.