On the problem of hell

Religious Studies 38 (3):355-362 (2002)
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Abstract

There is a conception of hell that holds that God punishes some people in a way that brings about endless suffering and unhappiness. An objection to this view holds that such punishment could not be just since it punishes finite sins with infinite suffering. In answer to this objection, it is shown that endless suffering, even intense suffering, is consistent with the suffering being finite. Another objection holds that such punishment is contrary to God's love. A possible response to this objection is developed.

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James Cain
Oklahoma State University

Citations of this work

Annihilation, everlasting torment, and divine justice.James S. Spiegel - 2015 - International Journal of Philosophy and Theology 76 (3):241-248.
Eternal Damnation: A Reply to Karori Mbugua’s “Gentler Theology of Hell”.Reginald M. J. Oduor - 2015 - Thought and Practice: A Journal of the Philosophical Association of Kenya 7 (2):123-140.
Reincarnation and infinite punishment in hell.Gianluca Di Muzio - 2013 - International Journal for Philosophy of Religion 74 (2):167-180.

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References found in this work

The Doctrine of Everlasting Punishment.Thomas Talbott - 1990 - Faith and Philosophy 7 (1):19-42.
Punishment, Forgiveness, and Divine Justice.Thomas Talbott - 1993 - Religious Studies 29 (2):151 - 168.

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