Annihilationism

In general, annihilationism is the view that there are some persons who will not be saved, but instead will cease to exist at some point. There are a number of different ways that annihilationism can be developed, however, including both retributive and non-retributive versions. The chapter argues that the retributive versions face the same basic problems as traditionalism. The non-retributive versions come in two main forms: those that focus on the natural consequences of sin, and those that focus on human free will. According to the first, annihilation is the natural, albeit unintended consequence of persistence in sin and/or self-exclusion from the presence of God. According to the second, annihilation is that which follows—either with or without divine assistance—a certain intention on the part of the one who is damned to bring about his or her own nonexistence. The author argues that each view turns out to have unacceptable consequences.