Hell

[GreenMunchkin]

There's a guy called Bill Wiese who claims God allowed him to go to hell for 23 minutes. He's given lots of talk and written a book about it, and I've never been sure about the whole thing, to be honest.

This is a video created to accurately depict what he saw - have heard his actual descriptions, and I have to admit, they tally with Scriptures, and some of the detail sounds absolutely probable. For example, he said when he was there, he was DESPERATE for a drink, thirstier than we can imagine, but there was no water (I'd never even thought of that, but of course it's that way) - and am not overly fond of the use of a few Hollywood scenes (Legend and Terminator are in there in a couple of shots) but how accurate do you reckon this is?

And in terms of evangelism, how useful a "method" is the fear of hell? I don't think evangelism is any use without it, because if there was no hell, Jesus wouldn't have needed to die for us, but am very much of a mind that we should spread the Good News, rather than focus on the terrifying part. I don't think we can scare people into a relationship with Christ.

Warning, the film is pretty scary in some parts

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StTRdtvfMcQ

 

[free2be]

Wow. Need some time to think on that one.

 

[3girls2dogs]

I can't see it at work, but am subscribing so I can view when I get home.

 

[~*Lady Trekki*~]

Well, it certainly does cover what the Bible says hell is like. But wow...to see it protrayed on film makes it all the more real to me. First of all it puts a desire in my heart to always be right before God. Secondly it makes me want to share Jesus with everyone I can to keep them from going there...especially my loved ones.

I don't think I'd use this as a tool however. Most of the people I know who are unsaved would probably say it's just Hollywood and not real. Also, fear is a good way to get people to the altar, but it wont hold them there unless they are discipled. I've been to the drama "Heavens Gates and Hells Flames"...very, very effective dramatization. But without discipleship the people flocking to the altars will go back to their old ways before long.

 

[Gregged]

And in terms of evangelism, how useful a "method" is the fear of hell?

Jude 22 And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

All evangelism is only done effectively with the help of the Holy Spirit. Only He knows what will be effective for each individual, and so we need to listen whether it will be compassion, fear, or anything else God reveals to change their heart.

 

[drstevej]

Jesus warned about hell --- good enough for me.

Should a doctor not tell someone they have a terminal illness and the prognosis that is awful news? And if that death could be cured should he not then tell them how the cure can prevent the suffering and death?

Don't get sucked into this type of Gospel.

 

[free2be]

All evangelism is only done effectively with the help of the Holy Spirit. Only He knows what will be effective, and so we need to listen whether it will be compassion, fear, or anything else God reveals to change their heart.

Amen.

We're all God's children. As with my child, I teach consequence and why there should be a fear but try not to put the fear in her. I think hell should be taught because it's a reality and not knowing about it doesn't make it not exist. That video, as accurate as it may be, might be too harsh for most. I'm not sure how I would veiw it as an unbeliever. I had a friend who was a smoker. She found out that her mother had breast cancer and it scared her enough to quit smoking. But after the shock wore off, she started right back up again...I think that could be the effect this could have. I guess that's along the same lines that Trekki had.

 

[Rhamiel]

fine line, fear of hell is a good tool but it will not bring about lasting change you need to love God for any change to be real and truly take effect.
I have not seen the vid, could be real could be fake, God does grant people mystic visions

 

[drstevej]

Change comes from the new birth!

 

[SpiritualAntiseptic]

There's a guy called Bill Wiese who claims God allowed him to go to hell for 23 minutes. He's given lots of talk and written a book about it,http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StTRdtvfMcQ

People will claim anything to sell a book and do seminars/speeches. The fact his story matches scripture doesn't legitimize it- if anything, is shows where he got his ideas.

 

[sentipente]

Sorry. I don't think I am allowed to post here.

 

[SpiritualAntiseptic]

Sorry. I don't think I am allowed to post here.

Just sign up to be a 'conservative Christian' and you can post and debate all day long.

 

[free2be]

Sorry. I don't think I am allowed to post here.

Everyone is allowed to post here.

 

[GreenMunchkin]

Just sign up to be a 'conservative Christian' and you can post and debate all day long.

Am sorry you dislike this forum. It's actually very lovely if you have a proper look at it

Your argument is sort of a circular one, though. If his experience *didn't* tally with the Bible, he'd obviously be mistaken... but you're saying its adherence to what the Bible describes means he's probably making it up?

 

[~*Lady Trekki*~]

Just sign up to be a 'conservative Christian' and you can post and debate all day long.

That is only if the person agrees with our guidelines SA. People do not sign up just because they want to debate.

 

[Rhamiel]

SA if you don't like it here then why hang around?
I understand what you are saying though, the movies + Bible = get rich quick scam
I am not saying this is what I think but I see it as a possibility, I read a thing about a pastor who totaly riped off Dante's Inferno, claimed to have seen hell and saw all the levals just like in the poem and then claimed never to have read the work

 

[SpiritualAntiseptic]

Am sorry you dislike this forum. It's actually very lovely if you have a proper look at it

Your argument is sort of a circular one, though. If his experience *didn't* tally with the Bible, he'd obviously be mistaken... but you're saying its adherence to what the Bible describes means he's probably making it up?

Who said I didn't like the forum?

I wasn't make a circular argument for or against its legitimacy. I was criticizing the logic of the argument. Simply because his story conforms to the bible means very little.

 

[SpiritualAntiseptic]

SA if you don't like it here then why hang around?

Que?

I understand what you are saying though, the movies + Bible = get rich quick scam
I am not saying this is what I think but I see it as a possibility, I read a thing about a pastor who totaly riped off Dante's Inferno, claimed to have seen hell and saw all the levals just like in the poem and then claimed never to have read the work

Hell and books are a great way to make money.

 

[drstevej]

Hell and books are a great way to make money.

Yep Jesus really made a pile of money.

 

[GreenMunchkin]

Who said I didn't like the forum?

Weeeell, you're sort of scathing about it sometimes

I wasn't make a circular argument for or against its legitimacy. I was criticizing the logic of the argument. Simply because his story conforms to the bible means very little.

I disagree. Whether or not his claims are true... I don't suppose we'll ever know. But its conforming to scriptures, plus all the other details add a large degree of credibility to it.

Cos, ya know, the Bible is true and stuff