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(The difficulty over the question of eternal torments lies in) how it is irreconcilable with the Goodness of God, to put any Persons at all upon a necessity of making such an Option, wherein if they choose amiss, the Misery they incur must be irrevocable.
Samuel Clarke
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote discusses the moral dilemma of eternal punishment and God's goodness.

Samuel Clarke presents a profound question about the nature of divine justice and the concept of eternal torment. He argues that it seems inconsistent with the goodness of God to force individuals into making choices that could lead to irreversible suffering, thus highlighting the moral implications of free will and divine punishment within a theological context.

Themes

Eternal TormentGoodness Of GodFree WillMoral Choice

In practice

Example use cases

In a theological debate about the nature of hell and justice, this quote can serve to illustrate the clash between divine goodness and the concept of eternal punishment.

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