What is the significance of hell in the context of God's omnibenevolence according to Davies?

In the context of God's omnibenevolence, the significance of hell, according to Davies, is that it creates a logical contradiction when associated with God’s goodness. If God is all-good and loves all of creation, then the traditional concept of hell as a place of eternal punishment raises questions about the nature of divine love and mercy. The existence of hell could imply that an all-good deity would either allow or cause eternal suffering, which seems incompatible with the idea of a loving God who desires the salvation and well-being of all beings.

This discussion often leads to philosophical dilemmas regarding justice and mercy, especially when considering the fate of human souls. If God's omnibenevolence is taken to mean that His essence is to promote the good and diminish suffering, then the existence of hell is problematic, as it suggests that some of God's creations may be eternally excluded from His love and grace. This creates a theological and philosophical tension that is at the heart of many debates regarding the nature of God and the existence of evil and suffering in the world.