A Christian response to suffering

Suffering Promotes Moral Growth

Like Irenaeus, Hick proposed that humans were born with an inclination to do wrong but that we could ‘grow and develop into the ‘likeness’ of God.’ He believed that the suffering we experience helps us to become better people; we grow and are shaped by our pain, developing a better sense of morality. This means much more than if God just created us as perfect humans.

Free Will Acquired Virtues are More Meaningful

However, Hick argued that, as humans, we have free will; the autonomy and freedom to make our own decisions about how we act. This shows that we are capable of doing morally right or wrong things, and, ultimately, capable of good and evil. God doesn’t interfere, as this would undermine our freedom. Rather, he keeps an epistemic distance, allowing us to make our own choices.

Through experiencing suffering, people develop virtues, such as patience and kindness. These virtues are to be desired, as they come from an individual's free will. If God had just given people virtues when they were born, they wouldn't be as meaningful.

God's Distance Helps Humans Develop Virtues

He further argues that if God’s existence was absolutely known, then we would act morally because we would be worried about punishment. By keeping himself slightly apart from humans, they make good choices based on their own moral compass, leading to the development of strong virtues.

Universal Salvation

However, some people go the opposite way when they experience suffering; they become less kind, less compassionate. This leads Hick to suggest – again, agreeing with Irenaeus – that for some, moral development continues after death, in heaven. This is known as ‘universal salvation', the belief that everyone goes to heaven.

Hick comes to these conclusions because they offer an explanation for the suffering in the world.

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The Vale of Soul-making