How do Christians deal with Hell?

[ittarter]

Is the fact that they're going to hell not constantly a huge elephant in the room during your relationship? I mean, how can you talk about doing this or that together, or in any way have a normal interaction, when you know that he/she is going to hell for eternity?

I think the elephant in the room is an opposition of worldviews, not the question of final destination. As I tried to explain before, even comprehending a bliss or torment for eternity with respect to ONE person is simply impossible for the human mind. "Dwelling on it" would cause my head to explode. Same effect as being directly in God's presence, I suppose.

Also, I think a lot of Christians feel bad because they know their SUPPOSED to care more than they do. They try to work up a sense of anguish for their non-Christian relations. This increases the size of the elephant

As a parent, how can you accept the risk of your children burning for eternity?

I suppose for every parent there is a thousand risks that they must face -- and decide that the child will be susceptible to them, merely by virtue of existing. I could think that the possible gains outweigh the possible losses... but I don't think I do. I just BELIEVE and HOPE that they will succeed where I have failed -- not failed where I succeeded. Parents usually live out their unfulfilled dreams through their children. As such, it is difficult to "expect" hellfire and damnation for the little ones

No, I don't have kids (yet). This is entirely hypothetical.

Thanks for starting such an interesting thread.

 

[aiki]

"You can lead a horse to water..."

At one time, in response to feeling keenly the eternal jeopardy those unsaved around me were in, I would push the matter of salvation. In every single instance where I did so, I met with a cold rejection of the gospel. I found this terribly distressing. I came, finally, to understand that God saves people, not me. He may, or may not, use me in the process of bringing a person to salvation, but He is always the one who does the saving. When I realized that my responsibility to those around me who were not saved was to be salt and light to them, I found the terrible pressure I felt to save everyone alleviated. I still care very much that there are people who live in danger of an eternity in Hell, but at the same time I recognize that a person's eternal destiny is not ultimately my responsibility. I say this with one qualification, though: my life must not be a hindrance to the salvation of those whom God is drawing to Himself.

As someone has already said, there is only so much we can comprehend and feel about this matter. One could conceivably become so overwrought with concern for those who may go to Hell that it becomes emotionally paralyzing. We all have only so much emotional energy we can expend. If we spent it all stressing about those who are going to Hell, we would be unable to parent properly, or love our spouses effectively, or expend any emotional energy on anything else. Being consumed with fear for the unsaved could become quite destructive- and it wouldn't, in the end, change who God saves and who He doesn't. Nothing in Scripture suggests to me that this is God's desire for any of His children. Really, if one did have a complete grasp of the full import of what Hell means, I think one would go nuts.

At some point, one has to trust God's holiness, and justice, and love will work to a perfectly just, holy and loving end. When one does trust this way, there is the ability to be at peace about even something as awful as Hell.

Peace to you.

 

[FineLinen25]

3. Accept Hell and Troubled

a. All non-Christians will go to hell, and while I'm not sure whether that's fair or not, I'm just glad my own ass is safe. As a former Christian, I confess that this was my view.
b. All non-Christians will go to hell, but I'm only concerned about the eternal damnation of a few people. I once knew someone who cried every night because she thought I was going to end up in the eternal oven. Amazingly enough she wasn't troubled at the death of her non-Christian grandmother. I must say I was flattered.
c. All non-Christians will go to hell, and it troubles me very much that most people currently alive and throughout history will be/are suffering for eternity. I cannot eat or sleep due to this realization, and have pulled out most of my hair already.

I am most certainly 3, but a mix of 2and 3. I do worry about it, and it pulls at my heart that people are going to go to hell if the are not saved. I do not pull my hair out or lose sleep, but I do make it a point dring my day to try to invite as many people as I ca to church, to tell them how wonderful Jesus is, and to show in how I live the aazing chage He hasgiven me.

 

[kingburger]

Thanks everyone for your frank and open replies. So let me see if I understand by summarizing the views so far expressed (please correct me if I'm wrong):

1. The idea that a large part of humanity is going to hell for eternity is beyond human comprehension, both intellectually and emotionally. This may cause great emotional distress for a time, but eventually in order to get on with life, Christians develop coping mechanisms.
2. Because ones ability to brings others to salvation is limited, and in fact efforts may even backfire, the best strategy to save others may be just to let things be.
3. Relationships with non-Christians are for the most part normal, because a. one needs to get on with life, and b. having a normal relationship may be the best way of bringing someone to Christ. However, an undercurrent of discomfort/awkwardness does exist due to the other person's damned status.

The gist of it all seems to be that yes, it is a horrible thought to behold, but you deal with it. Is this about the right idea?

 

[aiki]

1. The idea that a large part of humanity is going to hell for eternity is beyond human comprehension, both intellectually and emotionally. This may cause great emotional distress for a time, but eventually in order to get on with life, Christians develop coping mechanisms.

More or less.

2. Because ones ability to brings others to salvation is limited, and in fact efforts may even backfire, the best strategy to save others may be just to let things be.

No, not quite. Every person I meet I view as a divine appointment. With many that I meet I may never get a chance to even begin sharing the way of salvation to them. They come and go from my life so rapidly that there just isn't time. Others may, due to a more prolonged involvement with me, enter into discussions about things that may lead up to a conversation about the gospel. And with still others I have been used by God to bring to a saving faith in Him. These tend to be those with whom I've developed a friendship. I never approach the unsaved with a "just let things be" attitude. I am constantly talking to God about what He may want me to say on His behalf to others. Very often a conversation that ends in a discussion of the gospel begins in a very different realm. God has an incredible way of very naturally bringing a dialogue around to matters concerning Him. But this happens when I am looking for God to be present in the course of my interactions with others.

3. Relationships with non-Christians are for the most part normal, because a. one needs to get on with life, and b. having a normal relationship may be the best way of bringing someone to Christ. However, an undercurrent of discomfort/awkwardness does exist due to the other person's damned status.

No, I don't feel discomfort or awkwardness when dealing with the unsaved. Rather than see those non-Christians I meet as merely damned, I view them as loved by God and potential new brothers/sisters in Christ. For me, an ambassador of Christ to the unsaved, this makes the dynamic between me and an unsaved person more positive, more hopeful, not clouded by morbid thoughts of their eternal damnation.

The gist of it all seems to be that yes, it is a horrible thought to behold, but you deal with it. Is this about the right idea?

I don't think anyone who has allowed God to impress them with the fate of the lost ever completely loses a sense of urgency when interacting with the unsaved. But that sense of urgency should cause us to be sensitive to what God may be doing through us to draw an unsaved person to Himself. Dealing with the "horrible thought" of the fate of the lost should not involve any sort of turning away from that thought, but should rather mean being provoked by that "horrible thought" to a constant, hopeful and ready state of rescue.

Peace to you.

 

[Lukaris]

Think about everyday life in the world and how much tragedy there is. We cannot change it but we must help it in some way(Matthew 25:40) and as Christians remember what our Lord says about tribulation in it (John 16:33). Jesus Christ healed multitudes but tragedy went on nearby (see Luke 13:1-5). Christ also says, "Verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father,"John 14:12); I once asked our parish priest if this also means that those in the afterlife that those who have salvation may have the ability to minister to those who do not and he replied that he could not say. So in a sense,perhaps we may hope for the best (along the understanding of 1 Corinthians 13:13) and assume nothing.

 

[BobW188]

I wouldn't say "let things be;" but rather that we must accept that the locus of change is in the individual and, though we are called to make disciples, we are also called to much else.

 

[GuidanceNeeded]

I myself have always felt a great burden for those who do not believe in Jesus Christ. I have always hated that I lack the ability to convince someone that Jesus Christ exist.

So no I am not one that just thinks "oh well, their fault". I think it's horrible thinking of anyone going to hell when salvation is so easy.

God Bless

 

[hikersong]

I think it's horrible thinking of anyone going to hell when salvation is so easy.

It's not easy to believe something that you believe to be false. It gets "easier" of course if you are sub-consciously frightened that if you don't you will be punished in a horrible way...for ever. Which is why children, like me and millions of others, were taught to be scared of hell I imagine. Child abuse in my opinion.
But hey, God knows best apparently...or more pertinently to this forum, christians (some more than others in their own eyes) are the only ones who can tell us what God is going to do and what he wants us to do. We just have to trust them. Easy really.

PS...thanks to Kingburger for asking some good questions. Apologies to the Christians who really don't believe that it is there position to judge...and therefore don't trot out the view that if you don't do and believe this (what they want you to believe God is saying you should do and think) then it's Hell for you baby. To quote a certain individual...Forgive them, 'cause they really don't know what they are doing.

 

[Criada]

The Bible doesn't say a lot about hell... most of the eternal torture stories owe more to medieval art and literature than to the bible.
Revelation talks about hades (the word usually translated as hell) being itself destroyed, in 'the lake of fire which is the second death'. This seems to me to imply that after judgement, hell itself and all within it are permanently destroyed, which fits with Jesus telling us:
Matthew 10:28
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

Again, the concept here seems to be one of total destruction, rather than eternal torture.

None of this makes it comfortable to think about, I don't want anyone I love totally destroyed either! But it is more bearable than the classic alternative...

 

[salida]

Its 3c modified. God is all knowing and perfect with righteous judgement - I don't question Him. Why would one question a perfect God. Unless one has the Holy Spirit you won't fully and truly understand this. In fact, I have been eating and sleeping for the last 30 years more than ever because I came to Christ

I pray daily for my loved ones who are nonchristians by intercessory prayer and
refer to these scriptures:
-Romans 1:20 - For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made; even his eternal power and Godhead so that they are without excuse. (Because of his creation, mankind is without excuse).
-Acts 17:26-27 - "From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth, and he determined the time set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him though he is not far from each one of us."(All individuals were born to increase the odds of finding God).

 

[seashale76]

I could never buy into the whole Jonathan Edwards’ Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God thing where God hates everyone and just specifically creates people to torment for eternity either. It never rang true. However, reading about what the Orthodox Church believes regarding heaven and hell, it did ring true to me.
So, what is this view of heaven and hell? God is Love and His presence is like fire. How one endures this fire has everything to do with how they were tempered in this life, just like the three righteous youths in the fiery furnace were able to joyfully walk around unharmed in the fire, so did others who didn't love God perish just being near the fire. The fire didn't change.

Here is a quote from an old Wikipedia article on the topic (that doesn’t seem to be around anymore) that I thought explained it pretty well: "For many ancient Christians, Hell was the same "place" as Heaven: living in the presence of God and directly experiencing God's love. Whether this was experienced as pleasure or torment depended on one's disposition towards God. St. Isaac of Syria wrote in Mystic Treatises: "... those who find themselves in Hell will be chastised by the scourge of love. How cruel and bitter this torment of love will be! For those who understand that they have sinned against love, undergo greater suffering than those produced by the most fearful tortures. The sorrow which takes hold of the heart, which has sinned against love, is more piercing than any other pain. It is not right to say that the sinners in Hell are deprived of the love of God ... But love acts in two ways, as suffering of the reproved, and as joy in the blessed!" This ancient view is still the doctrine of the Eastern Orthodox Church."

 

[christloved1122]

The Judgement of Heaven and HEll is for God to make and not man. Do not automatically condem others and judge them, because its not for you to do. You should live your life the best you can.

 

[peace4ever]

I've honestly been wondering about this one for a long time, but have usually found it too awkward to bring up with my Christian friends. Christians: how do you reconcile yourself to the view that all unsaved people end up in hell to suffer eternal torment?
Here are my current speculations about the possible positions one can take on this:

1. Denies Hell

a. There is no hell, or hell is just temporary and all will eventually be reconciled with God. b. Hell is only for the really really bad people like Adolf Hitler, and they deserve it.

2. Accept Hell but Not Troubled

a. All non-Christians will go to hell, but since everyone I know is Christian, I'm not too worried about it. From personal experience, this seems to be prevalent in insular communities.
b. All non-Christians will go to hell, but they chose that path and it is just.

3. Accept Hell and Troubled

a. All non-Christians will go to hell, and while I'm not sure whether that's fair or not, I'm just glad my own ass is safe. As a former Christian, I confess that this was my view.
b. All non-Christians will go to hell, but I'm only concerned about the eternal damnation of a few people. I once knew someone who cried every night because she thought I was going to end up in the eternal oven. Amazingly enough she wasn't troubled at the death of her non-Christian grandmother. I must say I was flattered.
c. All non-Christians will go to hell, and it troubles me very much that most people currently alive and throughout history will be/are suffering for eternity. I cannot eat or sleep due to this realization, and have pulled out most of my hair already.


It seems to me that the only rational and moral response would be 3c, but personally I have not observed any Christians who are troubled like this. This confounds me. For, if one truly believes in hell, and truly loves others, how can one not be constantly tormented by the thought that most of humanity, and probably some of ones own acquaintances, are heading for eternal pain and suffering?


In fact, for a true Christian who both believes in hell and have any shred of empathy, how can anything else in life remotely approach the significance of this dreadful fact?


This is what I do not understand. I respectfully await enlightenment.

Since we know that hell is real, that's why we witness even if it costs us our lives. I can do no less that what my Lord did for me.

 

[Ryft]

Christians: how do you reconcile yourself to the view that all unsaved people end up in hell to suffer eternal torment?

Your list almost included Christians like myself. There are those of us who believe that hell is a future event, not an existing place. And that it will be finite, not eternal. Despite whatever intense debate such a position tends to incite (which is often quite rewarding), there certainly are people who hold this position, who believe the scriptures that describe immortality as a something given only to the redeemed "at the last trumpet." In that day, the perishable is clothed with the imperishable, the mortal with immortality—ergo, the unsaved remain perishable and mortal; i.e., their fiery end is finite. As Criada astutely noted (Msg. #30), "most of the eternal torture stories owe more to medieval art and literature than to the Bible."

What will be my reaction to the countless billions destroyed in the fires of hell? Probably a sober reflection on the sovereign justice of God. What about crying and feeling profound sadness? I experience that sort of reaction now in this life, here in the thick of the spiritual struggles where I remain ignorant about the truth of their lives. At the final end of all things, my emotional turmoil will be consummated at the throne of God, where the lives and choices of the damned will be contextualized in the sovereign judgment of the Creator, their true colours being exposed. Then I will reflect with an informed understanding the justice of God, the object of my inexpressible love. I will neither cry nor celebrate in the face of such a sober reality.

It seems to me that the only rational and moral response would be . . .

. . . a conclusion that follows only under your chosen moral theory, which we know nothing about and consequently have no reason to think is coherent or valid. Without knowing anything at all about your chosen moral theory, the Christian response is left to answer the issue under the Christian moral theory, which probably differs quite dramatically from yours.

If one truly believes in hell, and truly loves others, how can one not be constantly tormented by the thought that most of humanity, and probably some of ones own acquaintances, are heading for [the fires of hell] . . . For a true Christian, who both believes in hell and has any shred of empathy, how can anything else in life remotely approach the significance of this dreadful fact?

1. Because the love we have for mankind is not greater than the love we have for God. For the Christian, God comes before all things. Over the love I have for this and that person exists the far greater love I have for God.

2. Because the whole truth and every secret thing will be exposed in the light of God's throne of judgment and we'll truly understand, whereas before (life right now) we did not know the whole true story. Every choice, every deed, every feeling and every thought, no matter how carefully the unsaved had kept it guarded during their life, at the throne of God it will all be revealed and his judgment will be understood.

3. It seems that you subscribe to the values and morals of Secular Humanism (whether explicitly or coincidentally). And that's fine. However, Christians do not. Our commitment is to God, not mankind. The love and empathy that Christians have for mankind is communicated through and empowered by the love and commitment we have to God in Christ Jesus; our love for the created flows from our love for their Creator, who created all mankind in his image.

P.S. It is interesting to note that under the "Denies Hell" heading, you have listed options that involve hell existing. If they believe, for example, that "hell is only for really, really bad people like Adolf Hitler," well then they are not exactly denying hell, are they?

 

[Sketcher]

It seems to me that the only rational and moral response would be 3c, but personally I have not observed any Christians who are troubled like this. This confounds me. For, if one truly believes in hell, and truly loves others, how can one not be constantly tormented by the thought that most of humanity, and probably some of ones own acquaintances, are heading for eternal pain and suffering?


In fact, for a true Christian who both believes in hell and have any shred of empathy, how can anything else in life remotely approach the significance of this dreadful fact?

It sounds like you ought to have a healthy respect for street preachers, missionaries, and other evangelists. These people realize that time is short, hell is hot, and they're going to do something about it. Now, I know you're your own person, but a lot of unbelievers have problems with these Christians more than any other Christians.

I also understand that the eternal suffering of even one person is impossible to entirely grasp. However, my question to you is, do you have any family/loved ones/close friends who are not Christian? It seems to me that you believe that hell will involve the everlasting sensation of excruciating physical pain. Does it bother you then that these people who are close to you, and therefore not a statistic, are going to suffer eternal pain, to whatever limits your human comprehension can grasp? Is the fact that they're going to hell not constantly a huge elephant in the room during your relationship? I mean, how can you talk about doing this or that together, or in any way have a normal interaction, when you know that he/she is going to hell for eternity?

You pray for God to open up their hearts, and you look for an open door to sharing the Gospel with them.

Also, do you have/plan on having any children? If you do, then they run the risk of becoming non-Christian. As a parent, how can you accept the risk of your children burning for eternity? Would it not be better to not have children at all than run that risk? How do you respond to this thought?

You raise them as best you can to become Christians. It's not a guarantee of course, but we do what we can to maximize their chances of becoming healthy Christians. There's no guarantee that we won't die in car wrecks either, the chances are actually pretty decent, but people keep on driving to work and dropping their kids off at school every day.

 

[Bryanfromiowa]

Yes it bothers me and it should and does motivate me to share my faith. Please if you learn one thing from this thread let it be this there is one way you can avoid hell put your faith in jesus christ.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Joh 3:17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Joh 3:18 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.

 

[maddog11]

I've honestly been wondering about this one for a long time, but have usually found it too awkward to bring up with my Christian friends. Christians: how do you reconcile yourself to the view that all unsaved people end up in hell to suffer eternal torment?
Here are my current speculations about the possible positions one can take on this:

1. Denies Hell

a. There is no hell, or hell is just temporary and all will eventually be reconciled with God. b. Hell is only for the really really bad people like Adolf Hitler, and they deserve it.

2. Accept Hell but Not Troubled

a. All non-Christians will go to hell, but since everyone I know is Christian, I'm not too worried about it. From personal experience, this seems to be prevalent in insular communities.
b. All non-Christians will go to hell, but they chose that path and it is just.

3. Accept Hell and Troubled

a. All non-Christians will go to hell, and while I'm not sure whether that's fair or not, I'm just glad my own ass is safe. As a former Christian, I confess that this was my view.
b. All non-Christians will go to hell, but I'm only concerned about the eternal damnation of a few people. I once knew someone who cried every night because she thought I was going to end up in the eternal oven. Amazingly enough she wasn't troubled at the death of her non-Christian grandmother. I must say I was flattered.
c. All non-Christians will go to hell, and it troubles me very much that most people currently alive and throughout history will be/are suffering for eternity. I cannot eat or sleep due to this realization, and have pulled out most of my hair already.


It seems to me that the only rational and moral response would be 3c, but personally I have not observed any Christians who are troubled like this. This confounds me. For, if one truly believes in hell, and truly loves others, how can one not be constantly tormented by the thought that most of humanity, and probably some of ones own acquaintances, are heading for eternal pain and suffering?


In fact, for a true Christian who both believes in hell and have any shred of empathy, how can anything else in life remotely approach the significance of this dreadful fact?


This is what I do not understand. I respectfully await enlightenment.

Excellent questions, king. Although, strictly speaking, hell is, as I understand it, not reserved solely for non-Christians. Even many or most Christians will also be sent to hell. According to Revelation, at least as some interpret it, only 144,000 will be in heaven, and everyone else will be in hell. That is, it's not a Christian vs. non-Christian divide.

 

[Sketcher]

Excellent questions, king. Although, strictly speaking, hell is, as I understand it, not reserved solely for non-Christians. Even many or most Christians will also be sent to hell. According to Revelation, at least as some interpret it, only 144,000 will be in heaven, and everyone else will be in hell. That is, it's not a Christian vs. non-Christian divide.

That's not Christianity, that's heresy. The 144,000 are not the only people who will be in Heaven, they are the people who will be standing firm during the Tribulation. And 144,000 isn't even a literal number. It is symbolic, as is 666.

Scripture clearly teaches that Christians go to Heaven rather than Hell. Jesus said it, the Apostles said it too. Often, in fact.

 

[seashale76]

Excellent questions, king. Although, strictly speaking, hell is, as I understand it, not reserved solely for non-Christians. Even many or most Christians will also be sent to hell. According to Revelation, at least as some interpret it, only 144,000 will be in heaven, and everyone else will be in hell. That is, it's not a Christian vs. non-Christian divide.

Did you know that the Apocalypse of John (i.e. Revelation) isn't read in the Church and never has been? Also, did you know that the Church doesn't interpret it the way you seem to? But, I'm not surprised that atheists are as influenced in their beliefs about Christianity as many Protestants are due to post-Reformation propaganda.