Final answer:
Irenaeus viewed our human existence as a necessary part of spiritual development, where the trials of life serve as a means for soul-making, leading us to embrace our creatureliness.
Step-by-step explanation:
The church father, Irenaeus, asserts that our "creatureliness" is a gift that we must accept. According to his theological viewpoint, being human is something we must embrace as part of God's good creation. This is in contrast to perspectives that may prioritize overcoming the human condition through ascetic practices, seeking spiritual perfection, or transcending through intellectual efforts. Irenaeus' developmental and teleological view suggests that the pains and sufferings of the world are intended by God to facilitate the development of a truly good person. In the face of evil and suffering, Irenaeus champions the idea that our existence as creatures is instrumental in the process of soul-making towards spiritual maturity.