1st Edition

The Problem of Hell A Philosophical Anthology

Edited By Joel Buenting Copyright 2010
    246 Pages
    by Routledge

    246 Pages
    by Routledge

    How can a perfectly good God justifiably damn anyone to hell? This is one version of the problem of hell. The problem of hell has become one of the most widely discussed topics in contemporary philosophy of religion. This anthology brings together contributions by contemporary philosophers whose work shapes the current debate.

    Contents: Introduction; Grace, character formation, and predestination unto glory, Thomas Talbott; Is it possible to freely reject God forever?, Raymond J. VanArragon; Annihilationism: a philosophical dead end?, Claire Brown and Jerry L. Walls; Compatibilism, 'wantons', and the natural consequence model of Hell, Justin D. Barnard; Value, finality, and frustration: problems for escapism?, Andrei A. Buckareff and Allen Plug; Hell, wrath and the grace of God, Stephen T. Davis; Molinism and Hell, Gordon Knight; Hell and punishment, Stephen Kershnar; Why I am unconvinced by arguments against the existence of Hell, James Cain; Hell and natural atheology, Keith E. Yandell; Infernal voluntarism and 'the courtesy of deep Heaven', Bradley L. Sickler; Birth as a grave misfortune: the traditional doctrine of Hell and Christian salvific exclusivism, Kenneth Einar Himma; Species of Hell, John Kronen and Eric Reitan; Index.

    Biography

    Joel Buenting lectures philosophy at the University of Alberta, Canada. He has published various articles about epistemology and has presented papers about hell at the Western Canadian Philosophical Association and the Society for Christian Philosophers at the Canadian Philosophical Association.

    ’... a whole range of questions you probably hadn’t ever thought of asking about hell are explored in this highly accessible and stimulating collection of essays... the overwhelming interest of the essays lies in their imaginative explorations of our free will and moral psychology, and the exposition of a range of theodicies. Contemplating hell, it seems, is a good place for the exploration of such important and central ideas.’ Church Times '...[an] extremely interesting volume...' Journal of theological Studies 'It is a fascinating read, certainly rewarding for theologians and pastors who are concerned about the afterlife.' Lutheran Quarterly