The subject of hell

xpower

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Christians usually fall within three different views on the subject of hell. Eternal torment, Annihilation, and Universal Reconciliation.

I have heard/read people say "If there is no hell, why believe in God/Jesus?"

And I always think. "Is God not worth loving because of who he is? and what he has created?" Maybe it's because over the last few years, I have gained an extreme appreciation for the small things. Like the five senses, the ability to see and comprehend beauty, the ability to taste my favorite foods, the ability to read a fun fantasy novel, the ability to feel sensation.
There is something sublime about it.

I am not OK with the idea of Eternal torture room hell. But for many Christians, this seems to be the norm. But Universal Reconciliation is look at as controversial, Why? Is belief in Eternal torment really necessary?

Annihilation seems to be the more accepted alternate view, it is still controversial for some Christians, But won't get nearly as big of a negative reaction from many Christians as U.R.
 

Neogaia777

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Christians usually fall within three different views on the subject of hell. Eternal torment, Annihilation, and Universal Reconciliation.

I have heard/read people say "If there is no hell, why believe in God/Jesus?"

And I always think. "Is God not worth loving because of who he is? and what he has created?" Maybe it's because over the last few years, I have gained an extreme appreciation for the small things. Like the five senses, the ability to see and comprehend beauty, the ability to taste my favorite foods, the ability to read a fun fantasy novel, the ability to feel sensation.
There is something sublime about it.

I am not OK with the idea of Eternal torture room hell. But for many Christians, this seems to be the norm. But Universal Reconciliation is look at as controversial, Why? Is belief in Eternal torment really necessary?

Annihilation seems to be the more accepted alternate view, it is still controversial for some Christians, But won't get nearly as big of a negative reaction from many Christians as U.R.

What was His sin after all, giving us and everything and "all of this", "life"...? You hate Him for that...? Anyway,

And, I have an"alternate" theory on what hell actually is, that might shed some light on this subject, but I don't know if you would accept it though...

God Bless!
 
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xpower

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What was His sin after all, giving us and everything and "all of this", "life"...? You hate Him for that...? Anyway,

And, I have an"alternate" theory on what hell actually is, that might shed some light on this subject, but I don't know if you would accept it though...

God Bless!
What are you talking about? I never said I hate anyone.
 
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GodLovesCats

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My mom told me she is one of many Christians who do not believe in hell because God loves everyone, so He would not want most of the world's 7 billion people to suffer eternally. I asked her what she thinks the lake of fire is. She had never heard of it.

My personal belief is if hell does not exist, God would not send His Son down to save us. What is there for Him to save us from? We are all going to die.
 
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Neogaia777

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What are you talking about? I never said I hate anyone.
No, No, No, I wasn't speaking to you or about you personally, I was saying more Like the people who would do or say or think that maybe, the unbelievers, or at least the ones who do, or would, or will hate, or will try to hate God in the future, ect, not you personally...

People who would do or would say or think that, ect... was basically saying, Your gonna curse God for giving us, and all of "this", "life" basically, and trying to show the ridiculousness of that, ect...

God Bless!
 
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Gregory Thompson

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I have heard/read people say "If there is no hell, why believe in God/Jesus?"

That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe. 1 Timothy 4:10

If the first Christians laboured and strived because God was going to save everyone, especially those who believe (not exclusively). Then maybe something is in reverse with modern interpretation.

The current attitude that is common is that we labour and strive so that other people will not be damned, it's almost like a satanic trope of the original teaching.
 
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Neogaia777

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That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe. 1 Timothy 4:10

If the first Christians laboured and strived because God was going to save everyone, especially those who believe (not exclusively). Then maybe something is in reverse with modern interpretation.

The current attitude that is common is that we labour and strive so that other people will not be damned, it's almost like a satanic trope of the original teaching.
What did they labor and strive for...?

God Bless!
 
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bekkilyn

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I think there needs to be some form of "hell" in order to provide people with a choice of choosing or rejecting God. I view it more of a time of separation from God vs. a literal place of actual fire and brimstone. Whether "eternal" is really for all time, or simply a literary device to represent a very long period of time, I don't know, but I do believe that God is at least offering us all universal reconciliation with him, but also gives us the choice to choose otherwise.
 
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Jonaitis

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Christians usually fall within three different views on the subject of hell. Eternal torment, Annihilation, and Universal Reconciliation.

I have heard/read people say "If there is no hell, why believe in God/Jesus?"

And I always think. "Is God not worth loving because of who he is? and what he has created?" Maybe it's because over the last few years, I have gained an extreme appreciation for the small things. Like the five senses, the ability to see and comprehend beauty, the ability to taste my favorite foods, the ability to read a fun fantasy novel, the ability to feel sensation.
There is something sublime about it.

I am not OK with the idea of Eternal torture room hell. But for many Christians, this seems to be the norm. But Universal Reconciliation is look at as controversial, Why? Is belief in Eternal torment really necessary?

Annihilation seems to be the more accepted alternate view, it is still controversial for some Christians, But won't get nearly as big of a negative reaction from many Christians as U.R.

It doesn't matter how we feel about the topic, even if it makes us feel uneasy. We must come to terms with what the Scriptures say about it, and it clearly states that the eternal state and place of hell is literal and real. Jesus himself spoke of it as a place of eternal punishment, where men and women will weep and gnash their teeth at him. If it is horrific, it meant to be so. If it is frightening, it is to deter men from living in sin. There is a place for such fear in the Christian faith, and God uses it for good.
 
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GodLovesCats

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I think there needs to be some form of "hell" in order to provide people with a choice of choosing or rejecting God. I view it more of a time of separation from God vs. a literal place of actual fire and brimstone. Whether "eternal" is really for all time, or simply a literary device to represent a very long period of time, I don't know, but I do believe that God is at least offering us all universal reconciliation with him, but also gives us the choice to choose otherwise.

The meaning of eternal is literal. People are either never in hell or in hell forever after they die. Now what I don't know is do non-believers go to hell immediately or on Judgment Day when Jesus returns?
 
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bekkilyn

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The meaning of eternal is literal. People are either never in hell or in hell forever after they die. Now what I don't know is do non-believers go to hell immediately or on Judgment Day when Jesus returns?

However, consider the Greek word "aionios" (in forms based on usage) that is translated as "eternal" does not necessarily mean an unlimited period of time. Jesus gives us "eternal life" because death is abolished, but how is "hell" (a word that is used, perhaps incorrectly, for a number of different words in the original languages) defined in a way that guarantees any length of time, or unlimited time?
 
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baryogenesis

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"I am not OK with the idea of Eternal torture room hell."


Well it's absurd, isn't it? Any child can see that -- I mean, recognize that as a familiar element to any game; specifically, losing.

But most Christians would rather keep that secret wince deep inside and not think long on the really preposterous aspects of it. Better to frame it as: Think about the deadly seriousness of the Gospel, the urgent need to stay right with God and share this calamitous News with others before it's too late!

But the nature of God as described in Scripture does not comport to this bizzare and sadistic idea. Nothing does. If Dante's imagry and his understanding of God's motivations were true, so were Lovecraft's.
 
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worshipjunkie

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Christians usually fall within three different views on the subject of hell. Eternal torment, Annihilation, and Universal Reconciliation.

I have heard/read people say "If there is no hell, why believe in God/Jesus?"

And I always think. "Is God not worth loving because of who he is? and what he has created?" Maybe it's because over the last few years, I have gained an extreme appreciation for the small things. Like the five senses, the ability to see and comprehend beauty, the ability to taste my favorite foods, the ability to read a fun fantasy novel, the ability to feel sensation.
There is something sublime about it.

I am not OK with the idea of Eternal torture room hell. But for many Christians, this seems to be the norm. But Universal Reconciliation is look at as controversial, Why? Is belief in Eternal torment really necessary?

Annihilation seems to be the more accepted alternate view, it is still controversial for some Christians, But won't get nearly as big of a negative reaction from many Christians as U.R.

Christ died a horrific death to save us from something. What He suffered, who it was that suffered it; none of that makes sense for anything less then hell. This Good Friday, think of who it was that suffered and why He suffered. The Scriptures are clear that hell is a place of torment and that it is eternal. They also say those who don't believe are condemned. "Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. (John 3:18)" If you get rid of hell you are already into relativism and religious indifference- it doesn't matter what religion you are, just be a good person. I mean, no matter what you do or believe we're all going to end up in the same place, right?
God is infinitely worthy to be loved for who He is, absolutely. But without being born again, human eyes cannot see God, human ears cannot hear Him. They are incapable of rejoicing in God and they need a Savior. And even after being born again, fear can be a just reaction in the face of God's holiness. "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever! (Psalm 111:10)

Why does God send people to hell?

Answer: The Bible says that God created hell for Satan and the wicked angels who rebelled against Him, but there are people in hell also (Matthew 25:41). Both angelic beings and human beings are in hell for the same reason, sin (Romans 6:23).

Because God is completely righteous and morally perfect (Psalm 18:30), He always does what is right—there is no “darkness” in God, not the smallest speck of imperfection (1 John 1:5). God Himself is the standard for what is right, good, and moral. If it were not for God being the standard of moral perfection, created beings would have nothing to measure themselves against. In other words, if God is perfectly righteous, then anything that falls short of said perfection is sinful, and every human being who has ever lived, since Adam’s fall from grace, has committed sin (Romans 3:23). Because Adam sinned, the entire human race now has a sinful nature (Romans 5:12). But people do not go to hell because of Adam’s sin; they go to hell because of their own sin, which they freely choose (James 1:13–16).

Since God is eternal, immutable, and infinite, and all sins are fundamentally against God, God has decreed the just punishment for sin must also be eternal (Matthew 25:46). There is another aspect to consider, which is that God also created people to live eternally. So when someone commits a sin against another person, the offended person has also been eternally wronged.

God, therefore, has deemed all who commit sin will go to hell because they have failed to meet His righteous standard; they have broken His Law of moral perfection. If God did not send people to hell for breaking His laws, it could be said that God is not just (Psalm 7:11). A good analogy is a court of law with a judge and a lawbreaker. A just judge will always convict the person who has been found guilty. If that judge did not pursue justice for the crime, he would not be a just judge (Deuteronomy 32:4).

However, the good news is that God is also merciful. In His rich mercy, He made a way for sinners to avoid the punishment of hell by trusting in the atoning work of His Son, Jesus Christ (Mark 16:16). For Christians, the penalty of sin has been removed and placed upon Christ on the cross (1 Peter 2:24). Because of the sacrifice of Christ, God is still just—the sin is punished—yet He is also merciful to all who believe.
 
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FireDragon76

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However, consider the Greek word "aionios" (in forms based on usage) that is translated as "eternal" does not necessarily mean an unlimited period of time. Jesus gives us "eternal life" because death is abolished, but how is "hell" (a word that is used, perhaps incorrectly, for a number of different words in the original languages) defined in a way that guarantees any length of time, or unlimited time?

I don't think the traditional doctrine is dependent on an endless period of time.
 
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Rubiks

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Christians usually fall within three different views on the subject of hell. Eternal torment, Annihilation, and Universal Reconciliation.

I have heard/read people say "If there is no hell, why believe in God/Jesus?"

And I always think. "Is God not worth loving because of who he is? and what he has created?" Maybe it's because over the last few years, I have gained an extreme appreciation for the small things. Like the five senses, the ability to see and comprehend beauty, the ability to taste my favorite foods, the ability to read a fun fantasy novel, the ability to feel sensation.
There is something sublime about it.

I am not OK with the idea of Eternal torture room hell. But for many Christians, this seems to be the norm. But Universal Reconciliation is look at as controversial, Why? Is belief in Eternal torment really necessary?

Annihilation seems to be the more accepted alternate view, it is still controversial for some Christians, But won't get nearly as big of a negative reaction from many Christians as U.R.

Annihilationism and Universalism are not truly "no hell"

Personally, I think Annihilationism is the most biblical. What I find hypocritical about proponents of Eternal Conscious Torment is that they accuse Annihilationists of trying to whitewash the doctrine of Hell whereas most ECTers firmly reject a the view of Hell as a literal lake of fire, despite the fact that both Jude and 2 Peter cite Sodom and Gomorrah as an example of God's future judgement. Was S&G literally burnt to ashes? The main argument that Hell can't be literal because it cannot both be a place of fire and a place of darkness suffers from a severe lack of imagination and committing the black-and-white fallacy. Not to mention, a "Hell" consisting of both darkness and fire can be found in other world religions, such as Zoroastrianism.

Judaism had no concept of an "immortal soul." That comes from Greek philosophy. According to Romans 2, immortality is a gift given only to the righteous.
 
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Neogaia777

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The passage that says works inspired by love comes to mind.
You didn't answer my question...

I did not ask what you were talking about, or what they were talking about, but what they labored and strived and fought so hard "for" ect...? And perhaps "why" ect...?

God Bless!
 
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