epistemic distance

What is epistemic distance?

Epistemic distance refers to the gap in knowledge or awareness between God and humanity. It describes the difficulty humans face in knowing an infinite, transcendent God due to the limitations of human reason, language and experience.

Why is epistemic distance important in debates about knowledge of God?

Epistemic distance raises the question of whether humans can genuinely know God through their own abilities. If God is infinitely greater than human understanding, some argue that revelation is necessary because human reason alone may be insufficient. This creates a debate between supporters of Natural Theology and Revealed Theology.

How does John Hick explain epistemic distance in his Irenaean theodicy?

John Hick argues that God deliberately maintains epistemic distance by remaining partly hidden from humanity. This allows humans to develop morally and spiritually through genuine freedom rather than being overwhelmed by undeniable evidence of God's existence.

Why does Hick argue God remains partly hidden?

Hick argues that if God's existence were completely obvious, humans would be forced to believe rather than freely choosing a relationship with God. A degree of hiddenness creates an environment where humans can develop virtues through soul-making and freely respond to God.

How does epistemic distance support Hick's idea of soul-making?

Hick argues that human development requires challenges and uncertainty. If God were immediately and undeniably known, humans would not have the opportunity to develop faith, moral responsibility and spiritual maturity. Therefore, epistemic distance is necessary for soul-making.

Evaluate Hick's argument that God hides Himself to preserve human freedom.

A strength is that it explains why God may not provide overwhelming evidence of His existence while still being loving. It preserves meaningful human choice and moral development. However, critics argue that a loving God could provide clearer evidence without removing genuine freedom.

How does Hick's view challenge Natural Theology?

Hick's view challenges strong versions of Natural Theology because he suggests that God intentionally limits human knowledge. If God remains partly hidden, humans may not be able to discover Him fully through creation and reason alone.

How could Hick's view support Revealed Theology?

Hick's argument supports Revealed Theology because it suggests humans require God's self-disclosure to overcome epistemic distance. Since human abilities are limited, divine revelation becomes necessary for deeper knowledge of God.

How does Calvin explain epistemic distance differently from Hick?

Unlike Hick, Calvin argues that the distance between humans and God is not primarily because God hides Himself. Instead, humans create the distance by suppressing their natural awareness of God (sensus divinitatis) and rejecting God's self-disclosure through creation.

How does Calvin's sensus divinitatis challenge the idea that God is unknowable?

Calvin argues that humans are naturally equipped with an awareness of God. Therefore, God has already provided humanity with knowledge of Him through creation and human nature. The problem is not lack of revelation but humanity's refusal to recognise it.

How does Calvin explain why people reject knowledge of God?

Calvin argues that humans suppress their innate awareness of God because of sin. Although creation reveals God's existence, people ignore or distort this knowledge. Therefore, humans are responsible for rejecting God despite having access to natural revelation.

Compare Hick and Calvin on epistemic distance.

Hick argues epistemic distance is created by God intentionally to preserve human freedom and enable soul-making. Calvin argues humans create the distance themselves by rejecting their innate knowledge of God through the sensus divinitatis. Hick emphasises God's hiddenness, whereas Calvin emphasises human sinfulness.

Why is the debate between Hick and Calvin significant for Natural Theology?

The debate determines whether humans can reasonably be expected to know God naturally. Calvin supports Natural Theology by arguing humans already possess awareness of God, while Hick suggests that God's hiddenness limits what humans can discover without revelation.

What is Revealed Theology (Special Revelation)?

Revealed Theology teaches that God freely chooses to reveal Himself directly to humanity. It argues that certain truths about God cannot be discovered through human reason alone and require divine self-disclosure.

Why is Revealed Theology called Special Revelation?

It is called Special Revelation because it refers to specific ways God reveals Himself rather than the general knowledge available through creation. Examples include Scripture, prophets, religious experiences and Jesus Christ as the ultimate revelation of God.

How does Revealed Theology challenge Natural Theology?

Revealed Theology argues that human reason is limited and cannot discover all truths about God. While Natural Theology may provide knowledge that God exists, Revealed Theology claims that deeper truths, such as the Trinity, Incarnation and salvation, require God's direct revelation.

What truths does Revealed Theology argue cannot be discovered through reason alone?

Revealed Theology argues that doctrines such as the Trinity, the Incarnation, salvation and the afterlife cannot be reached through human reasoning alone. These truths depend upon God choosing to disclose them.

What are the main forms of Special Revelation?

Special Revelation occurs through Scripture, prophets, religious experiences and Jesus Christ. Christianity views Jesus as the ultimate revelation because He reveals God's nature in human form.

Why is Jesus Christ considered the ultimate revelation in Christianity?

Christian theology teaches that Jesus is the fullest revelation of God because the Incarnation allows humanity to encounter God directly. Through Jesus' life, teachings, death and resurrection, Christians believe God's nature and plan for salvation are revealed.

What is the meaning of the term revelation?

The word revelation comes from the Latin 'revelatio' and Greek 'apokalypsis', meaning unveiling, uncovering or making hidden truth known. Revelation refers to God making Himself and divine truths accessible to humanity.

How does the meaning of revelation support Revealed Theology?

The idea of revelation as 'unveiling' suggests that knowledge of God is not something humans achieve independently but something God chooses to make known. It emphasises God's initiative rather than human intellectual ability.

Evaluate the importance of Special Revelation for Christianity.

A strength is that it explains how Christians know distinctive doctrines such as the Trinity and Incarnation, which cannot be discovered through observation of nature alone. However, critics argue that claims of revelation are difficult to verify objectively and depend on accepting religious assumptions.

Why does Revealed Theology emphasise God's freedom in revealing Himself?

Revealed Theology argues that knowledge of God depends upon God's decision to reveal Himself rather than humanity's ability to discover Him. This protects God's transcendence by recognising that an infinite God cannot be controlled or reached through human methods alone.