Hell. Will Lots of People Go There?

[Michie]

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Really?

Earlier this week I posted on Twitter X about universalism and someone opined that the opposite of universalism must be “zealous infernalism” Which I take to mean “an active desire not only for the reality of eternal torment, but the perverse desire that many people will go there.”

I don’t think the alternative to universalism is quite so stark. It is possible to criticize universalism while also criticizing “zealous infernalism”. I believe in the reality of hell, but that doesn’t mean I like it. Indeed, I’m afraid of hell and wish universalism were true, but that’s a kind of magic thinking. You know…”If you believe in fairies clap your hands…”

If there is such a place as hell, and we are assured by the gospel and by common sense that there is, who will go there and why?

Does God send people to suffer for all eternity in hell? Why would he do that if he is a God of everlasting mercy and love? Sending people to be tortured forever doesn’t really fit with an all loving God does it?

If there is a hell and if people go there is it really forever? If so why? Can’t people change their minds?

First we can answer the question of whether or not hell is eternal. It has to be eternal because God made human beings in his image and he is eternal. All of us have eternity locked within us. All of us will live forever. All that remains therefore is to decide where that will be.

Continued below.

Hell. Will Lots of People Go There? | Fr. Dwight Longenecker

Really? Earlier this week I posted on Twitter X about universalism and someone opined that the opposite of universalism must be "zealous infernalism" Which I take to mean "an active desire not only for the reality of eternal torment, but the perverse desire that many people

dwightlongenecker.com

 

[chevyontheriver]

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I'm betting this guy gets to find out how fabulous it is. Sad.

 

[RileyG]

I'm betting this guy gets to find out how fabulous it is. Sad.

He’s very sick in his soul. Ugh

 

[BeckyJ]

"Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is narrow and the way is constricted that leads to life, and there are few who find it." Matt 7: 13-14.

"Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.
Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; leave Me, you who practice lawlessness.’" Matt 7: 21-23.

 

[joymercy]

Yes

 

[RileyG]

Yes

I think there will be more people in hell than heaven, based on what our Blessed Lord said.