According to Calvin, what is the nature of hell in relation to God's goodness?

Calvin’s understanding of hell is deeply rooted in his views on divine justice and the nature of God. He posits that hell serves as a necessary aspect of God's righteousness and justice. In Calvinist theology, punishment for sin is not merely an act of retribution but also serves the purpose of upholding God's moral law.

This perspective emphasizes that God's goodness is not in conflict with divine punishment. Rather, it illustrates the necessity of punishing wrongdoing to maintain order and justice in the universe. By this reasoning, hell becomes a manifestation of God's justice, where God's moral integrity is upheld through the punishment of those who have committed serious transgressions against His divine law.

This understanding aligns with Calvin's doctrine of predestination and the belief in the sovereignty of God over all aspects of existence, including the fate of souls after death. Thus, hell is viewed as a crucial component of God's overall plan for creation, reflecting His justice rather than a denial of His goodness.

This perspective distinguishes the correct answer, as it encapsulates the theology that underlies the concept of hell within Calvin's framework, acknowledging the necessity of punishment as a reflection of God’s intrinsic justice.