The Fascination With Hell's Fury

[Michie]

Hell Has Played a Role Across Cultures and History, but What Does It Mean Today?

Do you believe in hell? If you do, you're not the only one.

This afterlife for so-called sinners has fascinated society since the dawn of time. The very thought of the place inspired Dante to write his "Inferno," giving us history's most detailed description of the underworld.

Continued- http://abcnews.go.com/2020/story?id=3360678&page=1

 

[Michie]

Jesus spoke of Hell more that all else in Scripture.

I'm sure it exists but I'm not sure exactly what it consists of.

I know there have been visions throughout history of believers & famous saints. Right down to life after death visions said to be experienced today.

I do believe that the imagination of humankind through the arts has somewhat colored our view of what it actually is. I just know it's a place I don't care to be.

 

[chaoschristian]

Everyone loves to read Inferno. It's full of gossip.

Paradisio is boring.

 

[Michie]

Everyone loves to read Inferno. It's full of gossip.

Paradisio is boring.

Dantes Inferno?

I've never read Paradisio.

 

[chaoschristian]

Dantes Inferno?

Yes. Inferno, Purgatorio and Paradisio.

I've never read Paradisio.

Yup.

Hell, I think, speaks to our primitive nature. It's full of pain, suffering and motivations we can understand.

 

[Michie]

I know a lot of folks are going for an anhiliation theory but I do not think that makes a lot of sense either.

 

[Joykins]

I know a lot of folks are going for an anhiliation theory but I do not think that makes a lot of sense either.

Put it this way...is "death" a metaphor for being tortured for eternity, or is "being tortured for eternity" a metaphor for death?

I like the Inferno. The man obviously spent a lot of time thinking of appropriate punishment for various sins, and then (with relish) assigning those punishments to his enemies

 

[Michie]

Put it this way...is "death" a metaphor for being tortured for eternity, or is "being tortured for eternity" a metaphor for death?

I like the Inferno. The man obviously spent a lot of time thinking of appropriate punishment for various sins, and then (with relish) assigning those punishments to his enemies

Strange that you say that. I always read it as sort of a therapeutic type of writing for the author.

 

[Athene]

Have you ever imagined the people you loathe getting their just deserts? It's very therapeutic

 

[Criada]

Enjoy Dante, but frankly wouldn't use him as a basis for thelogical arguement! But it must have been fun to write!!

As far as I can see, the Bible only speaks of the 'traditional' idea of hell (lake of fire) as being prepared for satan and his angels.
Really not sure on this one - I tend towards the idea that those who are not saved experience 'the second death' - ie final punishment, rather than eternal torture...
But not sure that I could build a scriptural arguement for that.

 

[shrewdsnake]

Hell is a tough one. There is enough information in the Bible to suggest it's there and what it's purpose is but not much else leaving one's mind to attach non-Biblical concepts and ideas to it. Based on what I have read in the good book the devil doesn't have power. If he did he could have just left Heaven and started his own kingdom. The fact that he wanted Heaven says to me he can't create one. I don't think he gets to make any decisions about our souls. He isn't a punisher but a tempter. Only our Father gets to discipline us.

I have always thought that Hell is simply separation from God and everything else. Other than that I really can't guess without attaching my own ideas to it.

 

[porterross]

I have always thought that Hell is simply separation from God and everything else. Other than that I really can't guess without attaching my own ideas to it.

That's exactly what it is. Imagine how much of God's beauty in all of creation that we are surrounded by in this life and how much of it is taken completely for granted.

Those who delude themselves and deny God will have to learn the hard way that they were in His presence and enjoyed His blessings their whole lives, yet they refused to acknowledge Him. Terrible lesson to learn, but it's not like they aren't warned repeatedly.

The very thought of being apart from God pains and panics me and I grieve for those who willfully choose this. Think about Lazarus and the Rich Man and how their pleas after the fact won't be enough.

Luke 16:29

"Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.'

 

[shrewdsnake]

The very thought of being apart from God pains and panics me and I grieve for those who willfully choose this. Think about Lazarus and the Rich Man and how their pleas after the fact won't be enough.

I agree completely with what you are saying. If those we witnessed to knew that this is were our heart is coming from when we talk to them they might understand us more.

 

[Michie]

Any thoughts on believers throughout the ages & their visions of Hell?

What about life after death visions of Hell?

Anyone read Mary Baxter's Divine Revelation of Hell?

That book was scary & grotesque.

I'm not sure I believe her visions/revelation.....

Seriously, if you have not read it, see if your library has it. I'd love to discuss that book sometime.

It just does not sit well with me & I was wondering if others might feel the same.

 

[porterross]

Scary and grotesque, but you want us to read it?

 

[Michie]

Scary and grotesque, but you want us to read it?

Yes.

Yes I do.

 

[BelindaP]

Enjoy Dante, but frankly wouldn't use him as a basis for thelogical arguement! But it must have been fun to write!!

As far as I can see, the Bible only speaks of the 'traditional' idea of hell (lake of fire) as being prepared for satan and his angels.
Really not sure on this one - I tend towards the idea that those who are not saved experience 'the second death' - ie final punishment, rather than eternal torture...
But not sure that I could build a scriptural arguement for that.

You should visit the SDA forum. The belief is called annihilationism or conditional mortality. They have excellent scriptural arguments for it. I think Tall73 put together a paper on it, if you ever want to look him up.

 

[RedTulipMom]

i really dont know what i believe about hell..ill be honest..lol

ive thought about it..ive read about it..ive studied about it..

I have heard of hell as fire and brimstone..as separation from God..as annhilation..

I am at the point where i just dont want to think of it anymore..i just will not go there and hope that nobody else will as well..what more can i do? Its confusing.

 

[Criada]

You should visit the SDA forum. The belief is called annihilationism or conditional mortality. They have excellent scriptural arguments for it. I think Tall73 put together a paper on it, if you ever want to look him up.

Thanks - might just do that.

 

[Rhamiel]

Ciada

Enjoy Dante, but frankly wouldn't use him as a basis for thelogical arguement! But it must have been fun to write!!

I would not use him for the geography of hell but reading his stuff has really helped me understand sin a lot better, sin is twisted love, either not enough or too much or preverted in some way, all sin stems from a missplaced love