John Harwood Hick
- Born:
- 20 January 1922, Scarborough, England
- Died:
- 9 February 2012, Birmingham, England
- Nationality:
- British
- Profession(s):
- Philosopher of Religion, Theologian
Early Life and Education
- Educated at Scarborough College.
- Initially studied Law, but shifted focus to Philosophy and Theology.
- Received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Hull.
- Studied at Oriel College, Oxford, earning a Bachelor of Philosophy degree.
- Awarded a Doctor of Divinity degree by Oxford University.
Career and Major Achievements
- Ordained as a Presbyterian minister in 1947.
- Served as a pastor in Belford, Northumberland.
- Held academic positions at Cornell University, Princeton Theological Seminary, and the University of Birmingham.
- Promoted religious pluralism and the idea that different religions offer equally valid paths to salvation.
- His philosophical work focused on epistemology of religious experience, eschatology, and the problem of evil.
- Engaged in numerous debates and discussions with prominent theologians and philosophers.
- Some considered his work a significant contribution; others saw it as controversial departure from traditional Christian doctrine.
Notable Works
- Faith and Knowledge (1957)
- Evil and the God of Love (1966; revised 1968)
- God and the Universe of Faiths (1973; revised 1993)
- Death and Eternal Life (1976)
- An Interpretation of Religion (1989)
- Many researchers have sought to analyze the views of the 'john hick an autobiography pdf writer', particularly his stance on religious pluralism, by examining his published works and lectures.
- The New Frontier of Religion and Science: Religious Experience, Neuroscience, and the Transcendent (2006)
Legacy and Impact
John Hick significantly influenced the field of philosophy of religion, particularly regarding religious pluralism and the problem of evil. His work continues to be studied and debated, and his ideas have had a lasting impact on interfaith dialogue and theological discourse.