Is Hell temporal?

[SheepOfJesus]

I recently found this page: The State and Fate of Hell

Is it the worst heresy ever or true? In the Bible it says that we will be judged according to our works, they will be tested by fire. If the works burn, the person will be saved, but as through fire. Does it mean a (temporal) hell? 1 Cor. 3:11-15

 

[anonymous person]

I recently found this page: The State and Fate of Hell

Is it the worst heresy ever or true? In the Bible it says that we will be judged according to our works, they will be tested by fire. If the works burn, the person will be saved, but as through fire. Does it mean a (temporal) hell? 1 Cor. 3:11-15

The idea that hell is a temporary place we go to be cleansed of sin is one of the worst heresies.

In answering your question, a distinction needs to be drawn between what Paul speaks of in 1 Cor. 3 and what is spoken of elsewhere regarding hell.

In 1 Cor. 3, Paul is addressing Christians with regards to how their works will be judged. Fire here is used symbolically here to represent that which tries, tests, refines, and purifies. Notice what is tested. It is people's works, not people themselves. So clearly this passages is not even about hell at all.

Taking the above into account, while also surveying the rest of the new testament on the subject, we can justifiably conclude that websites such as the one you linked are indeed heretical and anti biblical.

 

[Andrewofthetribe]

Why shoud we believe this ?

 

[SheepOfJesus]

Actually I would not stop doing good works and trusting Jesus' sacrifice as the payment for my sins

 

[Andrewofthetribe]

Actually I would not stop doing good works and trusting Jesus' sacrifice as the payment for my sins

Who should not stop? What good works do you do?

 

[vinsight4u]

/nvm

 

[vinsight4u]

/nvm

 

[RevRude]

The idea that hell is a temporary place we go to be cleansed of sin is one of the worst heresies.

In answering your question, a distinction needs to be drawn between what Paul speaks of in 1 Cor. 3 and what is spoken of elsewhere regarding hell.

In 1 Cor. 3, Paul is addressing Christians with regards to how their works will be judged. Fire here is used symbolically here to represent that which tries, tests, refines, and purifies. Notice what is tested. It is people's works, not people themselves. So clearly this passages is not even about hell at all.

Taking the above into account, while also surveying the rest of the new testament on the subject, we can justifiably conclude that websites such as the one you linked are indeed heretical and anti biblical.

Fire is used metaphorically in 1 Cor 3:15 in much same exact manner that fire is used in the hell texts. For instance, Paul says that the fire burns away chaff and metallic impurities, just as the fire of Gehenna is said to burn up chaff and impurities (e.g. Matt. 3:10-12).

Yes, 1 Cor 3:15 envisages the judgment of believers' works, but it also speaks to something deeper, namely the state of the soul from which works originate. The fire of God not only burns away the bad works (bad fruit), but also burns up the branch or even tree from which the fruit grew.

Heresy, you say? Let's have a reasonable discussion.

 

[RevRude]

I recently found this page: The State and Fate of Hell

Is it the worst heresy ever or true? In the Bible it says that we will be judged according to our works, they will be tested by fire. If the works burn, the person will be saved, but as through fire. Does it mean a (temporal) hell? 1 Cor. 3:11-15

I don't think it is heresy, let alone the worst heresy ever (far, far from it!). The passage you cite says that fire is the agent of salvation. The man is saved AS BY fire. What fire? The consuming and refining fire that is God, of course.