Who was the radical theologian John Hick?
A pioneer in interfaith theology and religious pluralism
John Hick (1922–2012) was an English Christian Presbyterian minister, philosopher of religion, and theologian renowned for his work on religious pluralism, the problem of evil, and interfaith dialogue. Introducing groundbreaking and controversial ideas, he was one of the most important philosophers of religion of the 20th century. His writings have had a profound influence on modern interfaith movements and churches.
Born in Yorkshire, England, Hick initially studied law but shifted to philosophy and theology after a transformative religious experience during university. He earned a D.Phil. (Ph.D.) in Philosophy from Oxford University, a D.Litt. from the University of Edinburgh (Scottland), and was ordained as a minister.
After serving as a minister at a small Presbyterian congregation in Northumberland, he held professorships at the Universities of Cambridge and Birmingham in the United Kingdom, and at Princeton Theological Seminary and Claremont Graduate University in the US.
Though he began with conservative religious views, Hick’s experiences led him to adopt more open and progressive theological perspectives. His involvement in civil rights work in Birmingham, UK, exposed him to people of different faiths, and he came to believe that adherents of all religions experience the same transcendental reality, though their interpretations vary due to cultural and doctrinal differences. This shift challenged the exclusivist claim that Christianity was the only true path to God and made a significant impact on interfaith dialogue. He became a Quaker three years before his death.
Hick also questioned traditional Christian doctrines, particularly the Incarnation and the Divine uniqueness of Jesus Christ. In his controversial book The Myth of God Incarnate (1977), he proposed a symbolic interpretation of Jesus' divinity rather than a literal one.
His provocative views led to two trials for heresy by the American Presbyterian Church in the early 1960s. Though he was acquitted, his views remained controversial among conservative theologians, and he returned to England.
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Hick’s key contributions and beliefs
Religious Pluralism: Hick argued that no single religion holds a monopoly on truth. He believed that all major world religions are valid paths to the divine. though their teachings reflect cultural and historical differences. He rejected the idea that only Christianity offers absolute truth, advocating for a pluralistic approach to transcendental reality.
Hick’s 1980 book explaining his Pluralistism philosophy The "Copernican Revolution" in Theology: Hick proposed a shift in theological thinking, suggesting that Christianity should not be viewed as the central or superior religion. Instead, like Copernicus’ heliocentric model, he argued that all religions orbit around the same divine truth.
The Problem of Evil: In response to the age-old question of why evil exists, Hick developed the soul-making theodicy. He believed that suffering and evil play crucial roles in shaping human beings into morally and spiritually mature individuals.
Christology: While a devout Christian, Hick rejected the traditional doctrine of the Incarnation, which claims that Jesus was both fully God and fully human. He viewed Jesus as a profound spiritual figure but not uniquely divine, challenging long-held Christian beliefs.
Hick’s novel philosophical and heretical theological views, particularly on religious pluralism, sparked considerable debate and controversy, especially among conservative Christians. His work has been crucial in advancing the interfaith movement as we know it today.
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Thank you. I read his biography several years ago. He was open minded and open hearted.
Thank you! I’d never heard of John Hick and now I look forward to reading some of his writings.