Should Christians Condemn People?

[Skipper80]

No. First, human beings do not have the power to assign anyone to Hell.

Second, that's not our mission. Our mission is to continue the work of Jesus in this world. What was His work?

"For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." — John 3
"And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world." John 12

That's what Jesus came to do. So, what should the Church do?

"As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you." — John 20
"And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation... Now then we are ambassadors for Christ..." — 2 Corinthians 5

"No. First, human beings do not have the power to assign anyone to Hell."

But people have the capability to condemn people to Hell. They can do this by saying, "You are going to Hell."

 

[Skipper80]

Your argument was, "Should Christians condemn people to Hell?" It is not really an argument. It is a false accusation based on a false premise. It is like saying, "Should Christians swim on the surface of the sun?" Well, no. Even if they could, they should not, and at this point, they cannot.
The response is very simple. They do not and cannot condemn anyone to hell. They are just pointing out certain obvious observations. The condemnation is there already. Christians did not do it. They are just issuing the warning and supplying the solution. I am not sure there is a clearer answer than that.

You are strawmanning my argument. "Should Christians condemn people to Hell?" is a question--a prompt. that is not my argument. my argument is: I have been hearing what people are saying. You disagree with that which is weird because I am obviously interpreting what you guys are saying by giving a response. That shows active listening.

 

[Skipper80]

I've never heard any Christian say that a Christian has the power or role to condemn anyone to Hell.

It's quite simple. You just say "You are going to Hell." That is a condemnation.

 

[Skipper80]

Criticism is part of what a Christian should do, but it's not all a Christian should do.

Criticism does not send anyone to hell, however.

That is true, but u can still condemn people to Hell

 

[trophy33]

That is true, but u can still condemn people to Hell

I think you forgot your own question which is "should", not "are they technically able to open their mouth and say the words".

You have it even in this thread title and in your OP.

 

[Skipper80]

You had a point to make, but started off with a disingenuous question.
That's a mistake in delivery which caused several unnecessary tangential debates.
Unless confusion and obfuscation was your intent.

How is the confusion my fault? I posted a prompt so people could engage in conversation with me. Is it disingenuous to say "How was your day?" because that leads to other conversations?

People being confused can be because of their own limitations and mistakes in logic

 

[Skipper80]

It does nothing. It has no spiritual or material effect on anything.

It does do something. It displays condemnation which is tangible and perceivable

 

[Skipper80]

I think the difference between empty words and authority is obvious.

They're not empty words. Saying "You are going to Hell" to someone can affect them very much. The statement does hold weight

 

[Skipper80]

But there is in fact condemnation! That is why they are going to hell! Christians did not do it. They are just pointing out the danger.

People don't go to Hell because they are condemned. That is just circular reasoning.

 

[SavedByGrace3]

It's quite simple. You just say "You are going to Hell." That is a condemnation.

Revelation 21:8 ISV
8 But people who are cowardly, unfaithful, detestable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars will find themselves in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death."

 

[Skipper80]

The problem is, we don't necessarily know whether a given individual is--in essence--any of those things.

If we look at people from God's absolute position of holiness, then everyone is at least one of them. But that depends on whether God sees us as essentially the acts we commit. Is a person who once fled a challenge essentially a coward? Is a person who once told a lie essentially a liar?

John was writing to people who had a Greek worldview, and in that worldview, a person was essentially what he professed through his life and into death, not a matter of a single or a few acts. Are we cowards or liars...or even murderers...by profession?

And then, where does grace, repentance, and forgiveness come in?

If I tell a person today, "You are going to hell," that's without knowing whether that person will repent in the future. At best, I'm a false prophet, declaring something the Holy Spirit has not specifically told me about that specific person. In fact, declaring something I do not know to be the truth, and that I know I don't know to be the truth, makes me a liar...and by my own standards dooms me to hell.

So, don't do that. Don't tell anyone "You're going to hell."

The problem is, we don't necessarily know whether a given individual is--in essence--any of those things.

We can't know if someone is a murderer? We can't look at the files where their crimes are logged? Someone can do that and let others know.

Is a person who once fled a challenge essentially a coward? Is a person who once told a lie essentially a liar?

If you lie, the lie is a part of the tapestry of your life, correct? Under the same logic: if you sin you are essentially a sinner, right?

 

[Skipper80]

Don't tell anyone "You're going to hell."

I'm glad we agree

 

[SavedByGrace3]

Fruitless converstation. Leaving.

2 Timothy 2:23-24 KJV
23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

Peace!

 

[Skipper80]

I think you have already been answered your questions sufficiently and it seems like just running in circles, now.

Regarding why hell is the small h - because it is a biblical term and it is with small h in basically all English translations. So, let us keep the language rules.

it is not beyond language rules for me to capitalize "Hell." Lol.

Remember what I said about significant locations and proper nouns?

 

[Skipper80]

I think you forgot your own question which is "should", not "are they technically able to open their mouth and say the words".

You have it even in this thread title and in your OP.

The context is: the person I am talking to said people can't condemn others to Hell. I am saying yes, they can. That is the context of my convo with this person.

Would you like to talk about whether or not Christians should condemn people to Hell?

 

[Skipper80]

Fruitless converstation. Leaving.

2 Timothy 2:23-24 KJV
23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

Peace!

Okay goodbye. Hope you learned something. Is chapter 23 for you or me?

 

[trophy33]

Would you like to talk about whether or not Christians should condemn people to Hell?

We already did.

 

[trophy33]

it is not beyond language rules for me to capitalize "Hell." Lol.

Remember what I said about significant locations and proper nouns?

Not biblically. Biblically, there are several places translated as hell, with different contexts - sheol, hádés, gehenna and tartaros, not just one. Therefore, small "h".

 

[Skipper80]

We already did.

Yeah, but then you inserted a distraction by displaying you didn't know the context of my conversation with someone else. If you would like to resume our convo, then go ahead I am ready

 

[Skipper80]

Not biblically. Biblically, there are several places translated as hell, with different contexts - sheol, hádés, gehenna and tartaros, not just one. Therefore, small "h".

But u know which Hell I am talking about, right? Or you don't and I can specify