III. Scholars Recognize Justin’s Position on Destruction of Wicked

That we neither misstate nor misunderstand Justin’s position on the final total destruction of the wicked is sustained by the observation of many scholars of various faiths, as is apparent from a few of their terse statements:CFF1 826.2

KITTO: Justin “held that punishments, at least sensible ones, would sometime cease.” ^{3232) Kitto, Cyclopediapedia of Biblical Literature art., “Soul.”}CFF1 826.3

ROTHE: “Justin Martyr ... thought that God would annihilate the lost.” ^{3333) Richard Rote, Dogmatik, vol. 3, p. 156.34 K. R. Hagenbach, Compendium of the History of Doctrines, vol. 1, pp. 162-164, art. “Immortality.”}CFF1 826.4

HAGENBACH: Justin affirmed the soul to be mortal, perishing with the body, with immortality as a reward to be acquired. ^{3434) K.R. Hagenbach, Compendium of the History of Doctrines, vol. 1, pp. 162-164, art. “Immortality.”}CFF1 826.5

BALLOU: Justin represented that “the wicked will be, eventually, annihilated.” ^{3535) Hosea Ballou, 2nd: Ancient History of Universalism, p. 58.}CFF1 826.6

BEECHER: Justin held and taught “the final annihilation of the wicked,” as “most eminent scholars concede.” ^{3636) Beecher, op. cit., pp. 211, 212. C F. Hudson (Debt and Grace, p. 315) lists Grotius Huet Rössler, Du Pin, Doederlein Munscher, Munter, Daniel, Hase, Starck, Kern, Otto, Ritter, ‘f Pr. Smith, Bloomfield, and Gieseler as confirming the same.}CFF1 826.7

GIESELER: Justin held that the souls of the ungodly “will be at some time wholly annihilated.” ^{3737) John C Gieseler, A Textbook of Church History, sec. 45.}CFF1 826.8

ALGER: Justin “did not believe in endless torment, but in the final annihilation of the wicked.” ^{3838) Alger, The Destiny of the Soul, p. 195.}CFF1 826.9

CONSTABLE: Justin held to the “utter destruction of existence in hell.” ^{3939) Constable, op. cit., p 178.}CFF1 827.1