A Global Perspective on the Problem of Hell

Abstract

Abstract To this point this book has approached the problem of hell from the provincial perspective of Christianity. As pointed out in the Introduction, I followed this procedure to take advantage of the history of dialogue on the problem within that tradition, whereas a procedure that attempted to address the problem from a more global perspective would have had no such history on which to draw. It is time, however, to step back from the particular claims of Christianity to take a broader view of the problem of hell, to see what general religious commitments give rise to the problem and what possible solutions are available to a religious perspective once the problem arises. Our investigation has shown that the religious commitments that generate the problem of hell are quite minimal. The problem of hell arises once one affirms a traditional conception of Godomnipotent, omniscient, perfectly good, and the creator of the universe-together with a religious outlook that has an eschatological component with afterlife significance. The problem of hell is thus independent of the differences between various religious outlooks on issues such as the possibility of reincarnation, the mechanism of salvation or enlightenment, the truth of monotheism, and a variety of other religious controversies. The problem of hell arises at a level of religious commitment more basic than many of these controversial issues and, as such, is a problem best thought of as independent of any particular religion.