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S. Michael Houdmann
Supporter
In the shifting winds of modern cultures, the idea of everlasting torment and damnation is difficult for many people to grasp. Why is this? The Bible makes it clear that hell is a literal place. Ch...
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Seth Freeman
Supporter
I would personally worry about the person who isn't concerned with the idea of eternal punishment. Even for those of us who should have no fear of it - it's a terrible thing to think of. Spending eternity separated from God in hell is going to be a reality for a large number of people, and it is not a pleasant thought. More specifically, I believe that what keeps people from knowing Christ is never an intellectual issue, but is always a heart issue. It is for moral reasons that people ignore the Spirit, not intellectual. If we accept that there is a God, then there might be a purpose for us, and we might be responsible for our actions. Sinners naturally don't want to face that and want to do what they do best - sin. As a side note, this is why we aren't to judge sinners because they are only acting naturally. But, the moment a non-Christian accepts the idea that there might be a place of eternal punishment, they will have no choice but to examine their lives, their sin, and make a decision about their life. It's not a pleasant experience for a lot of people. Or at least, it's not pleasant until they accept Christ and then once they are freed it's a different story.
James Kraft
Supporter
Hell is repulsive because we see it as unfair. We know people who live really highly moral lives and give much away who are really great people in our eyes, but not in God's eyes. In God's eyes we are all as an unclean thing. Since Adam sinned, the whole human race is born with a sin nature. That makes us deserve to go to hell. In reality before God we have nothing in us that is good. We may not act like it, but it is a reality. There is none righteous, no not one. That is why Jesus had to die for us to bring us to God through Him who loved us. Before we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit at the new birth, Ephesians 1:13, we were alive in the flesh but dead in the spirit. When we trust Jesus as our savior, we are dead and our spirit is made alive unto God. So hell to us just does not seem right. Wonderful people in our eyes are going to hell, while others that are not so great are going to heaven. It just does not seem fair. The reason being there are no good people. Only God is Holy and just. But Jesus as the just can be the justifier of all who believe. Romans 4:5 Hell is real, and there is only one way to escape going there, but it is hard to get people to believe and be saved from hell. All who have trusted in Jesus as the only way will not have to go to hell. Amazing grace, Jesus paid it all and we paid 0. It is free. Men do not go to hell because we sin, all men sin. IT is because our sins are not paid for. First Corinthians 15:1-4 For believers our sins can no longer be imputed to our account. Romans 4:8 Not only that, His righteousness is imputed to us. What an exchange. He takes our sins and gives us His righteousness. AMAZING GRACE, AND WE DID NOTHNG FOR IT. IT IS FREE.
Nils Jansma
Supporter
The subject of eternal torment in Hell is a very interesting and controversial topic. There are many reasons to think that the Bible teaches such a prospect (Matt. 24.41). There are also many reasons to believe that such a concept is not compatible with the God’s “will” or wisdom (2 Peter 3:9; 1Timothy 2:3). The contrast between Matthew, Peter, and Paul’s words indicates that the subject cannot be simplistically resolved. Basically, the argument can become, is everlasting torment wise or unwise? Abraham had a problem with what he thought might be an unwise punishment of the residence of Sodom and Gomorrah. The basis for Abraham’s argument was that God must do what is “right” or wise. There is a lesson here for us I think. Did God have a “right” to destroy the “righteous” with the “wicked” of Sodom? Some would argue that all men are sinners and so God has the right to destroy anyone He wants. Others would contend that God’s “righteousness” or wisdom would not allow Him to personally destroy sinful people who are not “wicked.” In Sodom’s case, the latter proved to be the case. This is an important precedent in my opinion. Jesus gave us an interesting insight into the wisdom of God’s administration of punishment (Luke 12:47-48). Here we find that punishment is dispensed proportionately to the offence with some being punished more than others. This raises the issue of “proportional punishment.” What offense is proportional to everlasting punishment? Another reference to God’s punishment is found in Hebrews 12:6, where it states that punishment is an expression of God’s love. Then at Luke 7:43, Jesus tells us that one loves God in proportion to how much forgiveness one receives. Paul, at Romans 11:29-33, states with regard to God’s view of Jew and Gentile that He has “concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.” Then Paul concludes this statement with a guiding principle that must be considered when exploring the topic of God’s wisdom. Paul says in verse 33, “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!” Based upon this expression by Paul, we learn that we are incapable of searching out God’s “judgments” beyond recognizing that the extent of God’s “mercy” seems boundless. For this reason, despite arguments to the contrary, God’s wisdom and boundless mercy would not allow Him to punish a person infinitely, no matter how wicked. According to the argument of proportionality, such a person with the prospect of infinite punishment, if shown mercy, would love God infinitely. Would a wise God pass by the opportunity to rescue a sinner who would love Him infinitely? All of these references give us insight into what can be described as an application of God’s righteousness and wisdom with regard to punishment. Finally, one last observation. Many speak of God’s hatred of sin as a motivating factor for his lashing out against sinners so dramatically. I agree, God’s hates sin. But what does the Bible teach about the consequence of sin? It teaches that sin results in death, not eternal punishment (Genesis 2:17; Ezekiel 18:4). If Adam and Eve knew that they were destined for eternal punishment for sinning, do you think that understanding could have kept them on the “straight and narrow road?” Did God intentionally misinform them about sin’s consequence? The facts are that death is the stated punishment for sin and God’s grace, through Jesus Christ, is the only way to escape that punishment. 1 Corinthians 15:22, says “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” That says it all, in my opinion.
Ursula S Monroe
Supporter
For me it’s because as Christians we are told to love all including our enemies. God is love. So it stands to reason that we along with Jesus don’t want to see anyone perish especially our unsaved family and friends but come to accept Jesus as their savior. That thought of eternal hell is sad for us as we love not hate.
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