How do Christians deal with Hell?

[maddog11]

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.

I can only go by what I have heard self-identifying Christians say. It's not for me to say what is and is not "true Christianity." I know that not all Christians agree on the interpretation, and it may very well be a minority view. Personally, I also would interpret 144,000 and 666, and many other numbers, as symbolic.

The main point is that it is not strictly a Christian vs. non-Christian divide, inasmuch as many, if not most, Christians will also be consigned to hell. There are passages that indicate that not everyone who believes him/herself to be a believing Christian will go to heaven.

 

[maddog11]

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.

You say that as if there is one and only one "the Church." I've been to plenty of church services where Revelation was read and discussed.

I also understand that lots of churches don't necessarily agree with the interpretation of the 144,000 that I mentioned. But that's not MY interpretation, that's what I have heard some self-identified Christians say.

The 144,000 number in itself is not the salient point. The item of significance is that it isn't strictly 100% of Christians go to heaven and 100% of non-Christians go to hell. It's not simply a Christian/non-Christian divide. The problem of hell includes worry for Christians not only for their friends and loved ones who are not Christians, but also even for everyone who IS a Christian, because no one knows who is "saved" and who isn't.

 

[Sketcher]

I can only go by what I have heard self-identifying Christians say. It's not for me to say what is and is not "true Christianity." I know that not all Christians agree on the interpretation, and it may very well be a minority view. Personally, I also would interpret 144,000 and 666, and many other numbers, as symbolic.

The main point is that it is not strictly a Christian vs. non-Christian divide, inasmuch as many, if not most, Christians will also be consigned to hell. There are passages that indicate that not everyone who believes him/herself to be a believing Christian will go to heaven.

These self-identifying Christians are not Christians, but heretics. It is strictly a Christian vs. non-Christian divide. This idea of "most Christians are going to Hell" sounds downright cultish and it is not in line with what the Bible says at all.

 

[MetalChef87]

I can only go by what I have heard self-identifying Christians say. It's not for me to say what is and is not "true Christianity." I know that not all Christians agree on the interpretation, and it may very well be a minority view. Personally, I also would interpret 144,000 and 666, and many other numbers, as symbolic.

The main point is that it is not strictly a Christian vs. non-Christian divide, inasmuch as many, if not most, Christians will also be consigned to hell. There are passages that indicate that not everyone who believes him/herself to be a believing Christian will go to heaven.

I'd like to point out that there are scriptures that indicate that not everyone who CLAIMS to be a Christian will go to Heaven. Jesus said that many will call on His name, Lord Lord, and He will say to them get away from Me I have not known you.

He is not saying that He will choose specific Christians and cast them away, He is proclaiming that there will be false Christians, people who claim to be, but never really believed or accepted Christ as their savior. From our perspective most people who say they are Christians seem to be, but Christ knows all things, and He knows who is faking it, or who doesn't truly believe.

No true Christians will be thrown into Hell, that is part of being a Christian--everlasting life.

 

[maddog11]

These self-identifying Christians are not Christians, but heretics. It is strictly a Christian vs. non-Christian divide. This idea of "most Christians are going to Hell" sounds downright cultish and it is not in line with what the Bible says at all.

See MetalChef's post. Unlike you, I cannot tell by looking who is a "True Christian" and who is not. The point is that there are plenty of people that self-identify as Christians, and who are accepted as Christians by other Christians, who will be going to hell.

 

[maddog11]

I'd like to point out that there are scriptures that indicate that not everyone who CLAIMS to be a Christian will go to Heaven. Jesus said that many will call on His name, Lord Lord, and He will say to them get away from Me I have not known you.

He is not saying that He will choose specific Christians and cast them away, He is proclaiming that there will be false Christians, people who claim to be, but never really believed or accepted Christ as their savior. From our perspective most people who say they are Christians seem to be, but Christ knows all things, and He knows who is faking it, or who doesn't truly believe.

No true Christians will be thrown into Hell, that is part of being a Christian--everlasting life.

You are agreeing with me, then, that many people who look, act, and seem to all intents and purposes to be Christians, will be consigned to hell. You self-identify as Christian, and you are sincere and dedicated and doing your best to practice properly. How do you know that you are not in the class of "not True Christians"? I'll bet there are plenty of others who are just as sincere, dedicated, and trying to practice properly as you, whom you would call "not True Christians." Therefore, sincerity, dedication, devotion to proper practice are not guarantors of True Christianity. Unlike you, I cannot tell by looking (judging) which Christians are the "True Christians."

 

[Lemmiwinks]

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.

Hell never really bothered me that much for most of my life till in my 30s and then it seemed that I was being put in an impossible position.

God says "Love me!" yet sends people to hell if they don't, so how can anyone truly love him?