I believe “eternal life” is a a soul with purpose and enjoyment. The lack of “eternal life” is simply eternal death, basically torture and no purpose or joy and with no chance of escape. God gave man “free will” to choose either to follow His word or not follow His word. You are the one who chooses the final place by good or evil works in your lifetime. I cannot fathom that Hitler, Stalin, and Hussein just vanished or ceased to exist after torturing and killing millions of people. Where would be the justice God has promised?
Even Stalin and Hitler, obviously among the most extreme examples, were able to commit, despite trying their hardest, only finite evil.
IMHO, finite evil cannot justify infinite punishment.
FTM, this is an odd discussion in today’s world, where there is a consensus that torture by agents of the USA is entirely inappropriate for purposes of punishment. We argue at present even about whether it can ever by justified to save innocent lives by gathering information. Yet you and many others seem to believe God is less just than the Founders who banned “cruel and unusual punishment” for crimes.
>>The lack of “eternal life” is simply eternal death, basically torture and no purpose or joy and with no chance of escape. <<
Then you’re not dead.
Death: the act of dying; the end of life; the total and permanent cessation of all the vital functions of an organism.
Spiritual death: Loss or absence of spiritual life.