Analysis and Critique of Theodicy of John Hick's Soul Cultivation with a Theological Approach

The problem of evil is one of the most important theological cases that has always been the subject of discussion among thinkers with different religions and schools of thought for centuries. John Hick is one of those who in Christian theology sought to defend theism against atheistic suspicions on the basis of evil. Although John Hick was able to dispel many of the atheistic suspicions of the likes of William Rowe and J.L. Mackey in resolving the problem of evil to a large extent,nevertheless, his theodicy faces criticisms and deadlocks that are sometimes at odds with theism. Reviewing and Criticizing John Hick's theology of soul cultivation in addition to introducing us to his lectures on solving the problem of evil, it can also acquaint us with his theodicy deadlocks and the criticisms leveled at them. It can provide a correct and logical defense of theism. In this article, an attempt is made to study and analyze the problem of evil in the theodicy of soul with a descriptive-analytical method and to critique it with a theological approach. Although John Hick was able to dispel some of the suspicions surrounding the problem of evil, the existence of such things as transgression and excessive evil diminishes his theodicy power in defending theism. Keywords: The Problem of Evil, John Hick, Theodicy of Soul Cultivation, Theological Approach