Irenaean Theodicy
A theodicy attributing evil's necessity to moral and spiritual development. God created humanity not perfect but with potential for growth. Evil and suffering are necessary conditions for developing virtue, courage, compassion, and faith. This 'soul-making' approach justifies evil's existence as pedagogically essential.
Real World
Nelson Mandela's 27 years in Robben Island prison are often cited as an Irenaean example: suffering forged extraordinary moral courage, compassion, and wisdom that shaped a nation's reconciliation.
Exam Focus
When 'assessing' Irenaean theodicy, always contrast it with Augustinian; examiners reward explicit comparison of the two traditions.
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