Table of Contents (v)
Acknowledgments (vii)
Abbreviations (ix)
Preface (xiii)
Introduction (1)
Chapter One. Hick’s Use of Irenaeus (23)
Introduction (23)
Hick (24)
“Augustinian” Theodicy (34)
“Irenaean” Theodicy (37)
Hick’s Irenaeus (37)
Hick’s “Irenaean” Theodicy (40)
Creation and Progression (41)
Death (43)
Universalism (45)
Conclusion (46)
Chapter Two. Background and Sources for Irenaeus on the Problem of Evil (49)
Introduction (49)
The Problem of Evil in Pagan Thought (50)
The Problem of Evil in Early Christian Thought (54)
Before Irenaeus (55)
After Irenaeus (66)
Conclusion (77)
Chapter Three. Irenaeus and Theodicy (79)
Introduction (79)
Irenaeus (80)
Irenaeus as Interpreter of Scripture (85)
Diversity within Unity (90)
Non-Speculative beyond Scripture (98)
The Thought of Irenaeus’s Opponents on the Problem of Evil (99)
Valentinians (104)
Gnostics (106)
Marcion (108)
Other Opponents (109)
Conclusion (109)
Irenaeus on the Problem of Evil (109)
Irenaeus on Creation (110)
Irenaeus on Humanity’s Progression in the One Plan or Economy of God (114)
Irenaeus on The Origin of Evil (116)
Irenaeus on Human Transgression (119)
Irenaeus on Death (121)
Irenaeus’s Free-Will Defense (123)
Conclusion (125)
Chapter Four. The Divergence of Hick’s Interpretation (127)
Introduction (127)
Three Key Differences in Hick’s Reading (127)
Creation as Including Divinely Created Evil (128)
An Excusable Disobedience, Not a Devastating Tragedy (132)
Two Stages with One Method of Humanity’s Progression (135)
Hick’s False Dichotomy (139)
Conclusion (145)
Chapter Five. Conclusion (147)
Bibliography (157)
Index (193)