Non-Identity Reasoning and the Hiddenness Argument

The Love of God for Persons Contingent on Nonresistant Nonbelief

Abstract

If a theory of identity compatible with non-identity reasoning is accepted, J. L. Schellenberg’s hiddenness argument ought to be rejected. The core of non-identity reasoning is that particular persons can only come into existence under certain circumstances. Schellenberg’s hiddenness argument depends on a conception of divine love that is relationship-seeking such that God would never allow a capable person to be in a state of nonresistant nonbelief regarding the existence of God because he would always be open to relationship. Yet if particular persons can only come into existence under particular circumstances, then given Schellenberg’s own conception of divine love, God would be motivated by his love to actualize nonresistant nonbelief in order to bring about (and form relationships with) persons who can only come into existence under circumstances that include other capable persons being in a state of nonresistant nonbelief.