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If God loves us, why does he send us to hell?

Armistead14

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I see a few of the same answers for people born in other cultures and brainwashed from birth to accept the religion there and those that never heard, that you know God by his creation, but that is not the gospel. Almost every culture believes in God, but not Christ, so how does accepting believing in his creation is a saving gospel?

Many say God will be just or has other ways for those that never heard, etc..., well, then Christ isn't the only way. They either go to hell by default for never hearing or if they're saved then Christ saved them without them knowing it. In fact when Christ said he was the only way, it took 400 years for the gospel to reach Europe, another 1000 to the America's, that's a lot of people dying never hearing the gospel after Christ said he was the only way.
 
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BriBrit

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There is no such thing as hell, god would never create a world whose sole purpose is the suffering of sentient beings.

Ah, a voice of reason at last!

An answer that is short and succinct and which has dispensed with long convoluted self-contradictory arguments that load this thread notable also for their absence of scriptural proof.

Thanks Marcellus I believe your have spoken the truth and rescued God's character from the infamy of this diabolical doctrine.
 
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Rick Otto

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quote=Armistead14;I see a few of the same answers for people born in other cultures and brainwashed from birth to accept the religion there and those that never heard, that you know God by his creation, but that is not the gospel.
Yes it is. The Glory of God is His gospel.

Almost every culture believes in God, but not Christ, so how does accepting believing in his creation is a saving gospel?
You have iterated you're confusion. To begin with, "believing in His creation" is not it. Believing what His creation SPEAKS, is.
Many say God will be just or has other ways for those that never heard, etc..., well, then Christ isn't the only way.
Only in your mind. Open your mind. Not so much that your brains fall out, but enough to make sense of a couple of scriptures:
Romans 2:14 For when the Gentiles, which have not thelaw, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not thelaw, are alaw unto themselves: 15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)

"... in regeneration the law is reinscribed on the hearts of God's people; and even among the Gentiles, and in their hearts, there are some remains of the old law and light of nature, which as by their outward conduct appears, so by the inward motions of their minds,

their conscience also bearing witness; for, as the Jews say {r} wb hdyem Mda lv wtmvn, "the soul of a man witnesses in him"; for, or against him:

and their thoughts the meanwhile accusing or else excusing one another
; and this the Heathens themselves acknowledge, when they {s} speak of "tameion dikasthrion kai krithrion thv suneidhsewv, "the conclave, tribunal and judgment of conscience"; and which they call dikasthn dikaiotaton, "the most righteous judge": whose judgment reason receives, and gives its suffrage to, whether worthy of approbation or reproof; when it reads in the memory as if written on a table the things that are done, and then beholding the law as an exemplar, pronounces itself either worthy of honour or dishonour." - John Gill
They either go to hell by default for never hearing or if they're saved then Christ saved them without them knowing it. In fact when Christ said he was the only way, it took 400 years for the gospel to reach Europe, another 1000 to the America's, that's a lot of people dying never hearing the gospel after Christ said he was the only way.
Let me disabuse you of that notion of God's impotence:
Psalm 19:
[1] The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
[2] Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
[3] There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
[4] Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
[5] Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
[6] His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
[7] The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
[8] The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
[9] The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
[10] More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
[11] Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

Praise God. :cool:
 
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drjean

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I see a few of the same answers for people born in other cultures and brainwashed from birth to accept the religion there and those that never heard, that you know God by his creation, but that is not the gospel. Almost every culture believes in God, but not Christ, so how does accepting believing in his creation is a saving gospel?

Many say God will be just or has other ways for those that never heard, etc..., well, then Christ isn't the only way. They either go to hell by default for never hearing or if they're saved then Christ saved them without them knowing it. In fact when Christ said he was the only way, it took 400 years for the gospel to reach Europe, another 1000 to the America's, that's a lot of people dying never hearing the gospel after Christ said he was the only way.


"Everyone" has already heard. The world was a much smaller place when Christ was here. The Bible bears out the fact that every place had heard about Jesus' coming. Psalm 19...
1The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge.
3There is no speech or language
where their voice is not heard.a
4Their voiceb goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.


Colossians 1:23
This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
 
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WinBySurrender

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There is no such thing as hell, god would never create a world whose sole purpose is the suffering of sentient beings.
Ah, a voice of reason at last!

An answer that is short and succinct and which has dispensed with long convoluted self-contradictory arguments that load this thread notable also for their absence of scriptural proof.

Thanks Marcellus I believe your have spoken the truth and rescued God's character from the infamy of this diabolical doctrine.
I hate to interrupt this mutual admiration society where you are both so actively engaged in patting one another on the back, but the simple fact of the matter is, hell is real. The punishment of the wicked dead in hell is described throughout Scripture as “eternal fire” (Matthew 25:41), “unquenchable fire” (Matthew 3:12), “shame and everlasting contempt” (Daniel 12:2), a place where “the fire is not quenched” (Mark 9:44-49), a place of “torment” and “fire” (Luke 16:23-24), “everlasting destruction” (2 Thessalonians 1:9), a place where “the smoke of torment rises forever and ever” (Revelation 14:10-11), and a “lake of burning sulfur” where the wicked are “tormented day and night forever and ever” (Revelation 20:10).

How do we escape this punishment? Believe on the Lord Jesus for salvation and redemption in the day of the Lord. Alleluhjah!!

End of discussion.
 
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anunbeliever

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God gives us a choice... to accept his gift or deny his gift. Gifts are not required by the offerer, and also the receiver can accept or deny the gift. Him giving us a choice is true love, rather than him forcing us to accept. It is ultimately our choice on whether or not we go to hell or spend eternity with Him.
The analogy would more correctly be God offers the gift of eternal life or the curse of eternal torment. Why only those two choices? Why not non-existence?
 
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WinBySurrender

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The analogy would more correctly be God offers the gift of eternal life or the curse of eternal torment. Why only those two choices? Why not non-existence?
What punishment is to simply not be? In fact, it is a reward in a way for the guilty. Put a murderer in suspended animation (ala Sly Stalone's movie which title I can't recall) and he learns nothing. He is, he isn't, he is, just as he was before. In your scenario, God simply "unexists" the guilty. He pays no penalty. There is no motivation to reconsider one's actions while on earth.
 
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Timothew

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Well, guess again, 'cuz God didn't tell you there is no hell!
God told you in the scriptures that there is everlasting destruction and not everlasting torture in hell. You quoted 2nd Thessalonians 1:9 yourself as proof, so I know you have seen the scriptures that say the wicked are destroyed and not kept undestroyed and tortured in hell.
 
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WinBySurrender

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God told you in the scriptures that there is everlasting destruction and not everlasting torture in hell. You quoted 2nd Thessalonians 1:9 yourself as proof, so I know you have seen the scriptures that say the wicked are destroyed and not kept undestroyed and tortured in hell.
Note the word "everlasting" or "eternal" if you prefer. You're incorrect.
 
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Timothew

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Note the word "everlasting" or "eternal" if you prefer. You're incorrect.
Note the word "destruction". You are incorrect, because everlasting or eternal destruction is destruction that lasts forever. Being destroyed and never becoming undestroyed. Remaining destroyed forever.
You're incorrect.
 
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iLogos

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Everlasting destruction [ολεθρον αιωνιον] . The phrase nowhere else in N. T. In LXX, 4 Macc. 10 15. Rev. properly, eternal destruction. It is to be carefully noted that eternal and everlasting are not synonymous.
 
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Timothew

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Both olethron and aionion are commonly used in the NT. We don't really have to guess what these words mean. Olethron doesn't mean torture. I'm not sure it your post was meant for me or WBS. You appear to be supporting my post, but some people use words that support what I say while they say to me, "see, you're incorrect!"
 
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Humble Pie

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I think it's because heaven is such a lovely place, full of people who repented of their wicked ways and decided to follow Jesus Christ's golden rule "love your neighbour as yourself". It's full of people who will say "let me help you with that" and "I appreciate you". Everyone is welcome in heaven but not everyone is willing to change their ways for an admission ticket. Let's face facts, there are some pretty scary people out there. Our heavenly father is willing to give them all a chance at eternal life in paradise but they go to hell instead because they don't believe or are just plain wicked and stay dead in their sin. Heaven is a place for the living, not the dead.
 
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BriBrit

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Thank you BriBrit, however I cannot tell whether or not you are being genuine in your response. Many people troll each other to appeal to their ego to cause them to fall but if you are sincere your words are greatly appreciated.

SIncere friend, meant every word. God bless you!
 
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BriBrit

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Sorry I'm a man :J Think about these questions while you're putting the kettle on:

1. is God subject to man's will for is man subject to God's will?

2 If God can change my mind and yours why can he not change the mind of the worst sinner in the ages to come? After all there are some pretty scary people (dont disagree) that after an altar call, give their lvies to God and are transformed.

3. What about people who have never heard of Jesus Christ and die unbelievers but who if given the chance would choose Him as their Saviour. Millions of people like that every year -- in remote parts of India, China, Mongolia. Or does their luck run out at death?

Kettle boiled yet? I like coffee myself! :)

Blessings
 
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iLogos

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Both olethron and aionion are commonly used in the NT. We don't really have to guess what these words mean. Olethron doesn't mean torture. I'm not sure it your post was meant for me or WBS. You appear to be supporting my post, but some people use words that support what I say while they say to me, "see, you're incorrect!"

I am uncommitted on this issue, no sides. My post merely brings out a fact we need to all consider in this.
 
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Humble Pie

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3. What about people who have never heard of Jesus Christ and die unbelievers but who if given the chance would choose Him as their Saviour. Millions of people like that every year -- in remote parts of India, China, Mongolia. Or does their luck run out at death?

1 Peter 3:18-22 was believed (by the early church) as Jesus preaching to the dead.
 
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WinBySurrender

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3. What about people who have never heard of Jesus Christ and die unbelievers but who if given the chance would choose Him as their Saviour. Millions of people like that every year -- in remote parts of India, China, Mongolia. Or does their luck run out at death?
Paul addressed that issue directly.
Romans 2
14 For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves,
15 in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them,
16 on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus.
God does not leave the saving message of Jesus Christ to weak and fearful men. He provides for those who never see a missionary, a Bible or a satellite telecast of Charles Stanley.
 
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