Literal Hell - Question for Christians

[SuperNova]

The resurrection body would not be destroyed by fire.

 

[Blackness]

The resurrection body would not be destroyed by fire.

OK but who said they were physical bodies? I mean since they are unable to be destroyed I figure they are not physical because physical things can be destroyed.

 

[Blackness]

I don't know for sure. But I think so yes.


From the Bible:

Matthew 18:8
If your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire.
Matthew 25:41
"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
Jude 1:7
In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.

As you can see, it is most certainly eternal. Does that sound like normal fire to you?


That is almost a two-parter. First up is that if you come to a Christian forum and ask Christians questions based on Christianity, then you will quite obviously get responses from that perspective. You cannot ask a Christian about their religion, and then tell them to leave the Bible out of it. It is their religion.

Secondly, science compliments Christianity, in fact Christianity has done more for science than any other worldview:

"From Copernicus to Newton it was not deism but Christian theism that served as a principle factor helping the scientific enterprise reach self-sustaining maturity." - Stanley L. Jaki.


Again, isn't that a seperate thread? For myself, I not only believe in what the Bible says, but I feel what it says is true. I have felt God in my life and from that I conclude it is the Christian God, not another god.


Christians all believe the central message of the Bible, yet we differ on our specific focuses, the denominations are there as a sort of guideline so we can find people who focus and hold views like us, but who are of one faith. They are not seperate religious views as you say.

I hope that helped, to be honest I would appreciate some input from your side, as to why you feel these things are either unprobably, or impossible. I don't mind answering questions.

Cheers!
Digit

1. I know what the Bible says about hell but it could have been described in a symbolic way. Either way I am not going to put my trust in man made works. 2. What things in science are based off of the Bible? And what things do you see today (such as medicine) come from the Bible? 3. OK so its because of your belief. 4. I figured the correct religion would not be as messed up as it is and so separate.

 

[Nicki4Christ]

The first one was a parable, why are you taking it literally? And the second one does not mention fire.

Let me start off by saying I can only use the Bible to answer your question.
And now I am really unsure as to what your question is.

God has revealed more to us in scripture on the topic of hell, than is even said of heaven. Why do you think this is so??

When Jesus spoke in parables, he said so.
All if his parabolic stories were prefaced with phrases such as, "Hear then the parable.." In Lukes account of the rich man and Lazarus, Jesus did not preface his story with such a statement; hence it would be mere supposition to state that He spoke metaphorically.

When Jesus taught, His purpose was to instuct and calrify, not confuse.

 

[HypnoToad]

OK but who said they were physical bodies? I mean since they are unable to be destroyed I figure they are not physical because physical things can be destroyed.

Jesus was resurrected with a physical body - He ate and asked people to touch Him. The resurrection is physical.

 

[Digit]

1. I know what the Bible says about hell but it could have been described in a symbolic way.

How could it have been?
Symbolism is when you describe something in a way that illustrates with an image. For example, "His wife was as a crown on his head." That's a symbolic way to describe to the reader that the persons wife in the story was as precious to him as a crown, and made him feel kingly and respected. He didn't literally wear his wife on his head, of course. Then you can look at the what it says about being condemned:

Matthew 25:41
Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

That is literal, in every sense. If you cannot reconcile that, then you will of course have issues with it..

Either way I am not going to put my trust in man made works.

Well that's good, because the Bible was inspired by God. The word "inspired" (theopneustos) in the original Greek language literally means "God-breathed". When the Bible claims to be inspired, we understand therefore, that it came from the mouth of God. It is God-breathed, inspired. Do you think when Moses wrote that he is the most humble man, it was Moses writing that, or God telling Moses he is the most humble man? You are hardly humble when you tell the world you are the most humble man. I would encourage you to learn more about this, as the more you learn, and the more you break through all the lies people are fed about it, the clearer life becomes.

2. What things in science are based off of the Bible? And what things do you see today (such as medicine) come from the Bible?

Well you can find some examples of things here. In addition some great scientists were believers in God and the account of Creation as in the Bible. They deemed it imperitive to their works, and as such we owe a great deal of what we know today to them, and directly to God. Have a read of Isaac Newton's life.

OK so its because of your belief

That is part of it, the other part is that it's because it makes perfect sense, whereas I see holes in everything else all around me.

I figured the correct religion would not be as messed up as it is and so separate.

Can you explain why it is messed up and seperate? I feel it's your lack of understanding that is making it seem that way, which is natural, I felt that way for a great deal of my life too.

All the best, God bless.
Digit

 

[Digit]

Additional link if you can stomach a long read. It will explain MUCH though.

Thanks!
Digit

 

[Sketcher]

1. I know what the Bible says about hell but it could have been described in a symbolic way. Either way I am not going to put my trust in man made works.

Like Trotsky?

2. What things in science are based off of the Bible? And what things do you see today (such as medicine) come from the Bible?

Anyone wanting to research what life was like in Tyre and Sidon, for one. Archeology and Scripture get along very well together. Archeology helps confirm the Bible's reports of certain instances, and researchers turn to the Bible (among other sources) to help get a picture of what X was like in the ancient world.

4. I figured the correct religion would not be as messed up as it is and so separate.

The central message of Christianity is the same throughout the denominations.

 

[Shubunkin]

So hell contains special fire that never burns out and which does not need oxygen? Were are you comming up with this? Do you not know what fire needs to survive?

Why should I rely on a book written by men years and years ago when science was not nearly as advanced as today? Why not believe in the Koran? Obviously the Bible is not a good source since Christianity has many denominations and have never been able to agree on all subjects, I figured an error free book would be able to make that happen.

How does the sun burn without oxygen? God is omnipresent. Orthodox Christians believe that God is present in Hell, so those in Hell are still surrounded by His love, just as we all are.

 

[Blackness]

How does the sun burn without oxygen? God is omnipresent. Orthodox Christians believe that God is present in Hell, so those in Hell are still surrounded by His love, just as we all are.

The sun has oxygen...

 

[Blackness]

How could it have been?
Symbolism is when you describe something in a way that illustrates with an image. For example, "His wife was as a crown on his head." That's a symbolic way to describe to the reader that the persons wife in the story was as precious to him as a crown, and made him feel kingly and respected. He didn't literally wear his wife on his head, of course. Then you can look at the what it says about being condemned:

Matthew 25:41
Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

That is literal, in every sense. If you cannot reconcile that, then you will of course have issues with it..


Well that's good, because the Bible was inspired by God. The word "inspired" (theopneustos) in the original Greek language literally means "God-breathed". When the Bible claims to be inspired, we understand therefore, that it came from the mouth of God. It is God-breathed, inspired. Do you think when Moses wrote that he is the most humble man, it was Moses writing that, or God telling Moses he is the most humble man? You are hardly humble when you tell the world you are the most humble man. I would encourage you to learn more about this, as the more you learn, and the more you break through all the lies people are fed about it, the clearer life becomes.


Well you can find some examples of things here. In addition some great scientists were believers in God and the account of Creation as in the Bible. They deemed it imperitive to their works, and as such we owe a great deal of what we know today to them, and directly to God. Have a read of Isaac Newton's life.


That is part of it, the other part is that it's because it makes perfect sense, whereas I see holes in everything else all around me.


Can you explain why it is messed up and seperate? I feel it's your lack of understanding that is making it seem that way, which is natural, I felt that way for a great deal of my life too.

All the best, God bless.
Digit

1. What if an asteroid hit Earth? Hell is destroyed?

2. The fact that some scientists believe in a god does not really mean anything. Obviously some other scientists disagree with each other so who knows whos right.

3. The Bible claims it is the word of God, yes...but thats what the writers believed. How does this mean its true?

4. Look at all the denominations and Bible versions. And look at all the different beliefs that various Christians have and all this disagreement.

 

[Blackness]

Jesus was resurrected with a physical body - He ate and asked people to touch Him. The resurrection is physical.

OK and lets say this happens to us, once we are consumed with fire, we are destroyed.

 

[kulenok]

spiritual bodys feel and taste and see just like you, and you WILL be able to feel hell. i never was there, so i cant give you a strait answer, but you are eternal. your body is not, but you are. you is your spirit. no matter what happens you can never die. i have heard a documantary of how a lady went to hell and back, she says that she saw people even tehre from the time of the flood, hoping to get out again, but they never ever ever will.

 

[Blackness]

spiritual bodys feel and taste and see just like you, and you WILL be able to feel hell. i never was there, so i cant give you a strait answer, but you are eternal. your body is not, but you are. you is your spirit. no matter what happens you can never die. i have heard a documantary of how a lady went to hell and back, she says that she saw people even tehre from the time of the flood, hoping to get out again, but they never ever ever will.

The fact that you smile about such things is disgusting. And how do you know we will have these PHYSICAL characteristics? And hell stories...yea I can make one up to I bet and get everyone to believe in me. There are non Chrisitans who claimed to have Heaven like experiences.

 

[Sketcher]

i have heard a documantary of how a lady went to hell and back, she says that she saw people even tehre from the time of the flood, hoping to get out again, but they never ever ever will.

That's completely incompatible with what the Bible teaches. Once you're in, you cannot get out. And there is no need for such messengers: See Luke 16:26-31.

 

[HypnoToad]

OK and lets say this happens to us, once we are consumed with fire, we are destroyed.

We've already been through this the first time you asked this question in the General Apologetics area. Why you are repeating the same thing here is baffling.

I've already shown you verses (in that original thread) that the resurrected bodies are indestructible, so fire would not destroy them.

 

[Nienor]

Reminder

This thread is not for debate. This subforum is for questions non-Christians have for Christians, not to debate Christianity of it's tenets. Please keep this in mind during your discussions.

Thank you,

Nienor

 

[Digit]

Hey Leon, I think you are making this a lot more difficult than it needs to be.

1. What if an asteroid hit Earth? Hell is destroyed?

I don't understand this. Why would it be destroyed? You are making far too many assumptions about the NATURE of things we actually know nothing about.

2. The fact that some scientists believe in a god does not really mean anything. Obviously some other scientists disagree with each other so who knows whos right.

This was in response to your question asking me what the Bible has done for science. I said that Christianity has done a lot for science, which you didn't think it did, and I backed this up with that quote about two scientists which have contributed to the very foundation of our sciences today. It was these scientists' Christian beliefs, which empowered them to seek knowledge and they made incredible discoveries, and formulated theories which are the basis for many of other scientist works today. So Christianity has done more for science than people would like to admit.

3. The Bible claims it is the word of God, yes...but thats what the writers believed. How does this mean its true?

This was in response to your statement about following a man-made works. Oddly, you seem to have no trouble following science, which is also man-made, so in hindsight that statement appears to be moot. You will follow a man-made works, as long as it is appealing to you. You seem to have a double standard here my friend... In addition, I find the Bible to be God-breathed as it is perfect. Think of it like this. People get together and make movies right? They spend years doing it, thousands of people and millions of dollars. Yet a few minutes into the movie, you start seeing continuity errors. Like Lord of the Rings, where Boromir gets killed by the Uruk-hai, one scene the arrows are in one position, the next they are in another, and the next another. That WAS a man-made works, and it's imperfect and flawed. The Bible was written by more individuals, over a longer, MUCH longer period of time, and seperately. It contains over 60 books, and they are all in accordance with each other. In harmony, it is perfect, like God.

4. Look at all the denominations and Bible versions. And look at all the different beliefs that various Christians have and all this disagreement.

Leon, we covered this already. Myself and a few posters mentioned that the CORE beliefs of Christianity are believed by all Christians, and Bible versions have nothing to do with it. There are many translations, based on many time periods, and many focuses (like a study Bible for instance). The denominations as I mentioned earlier, are merely groups of Christians who focus on certain areas more, or hold different interpretations of things. This by no way or means alters our CORE beliefs.

Thanks,
Digit

 

[Blackness]

1. Well if hell is under the Earth, and it exploded...wouldn't the fire die?
2. Ok
3. The Bible claims it is the word of God, and not just man made works while Science usually thinks otherwise.
4. Ok

 

[HypnoToad]

1. Well if hell is under the Earth, and it exploded...wouldn't the fire die?
2. Ok
3. The Bible claims it is the word of God, and not just man made works while Science usually thinks otherwise.
4. Ok

First, as the Mod pointed out, do you want the Christian explanation, or do you want to argue against the Christian explanation?

If the latter, go post in GA where debate is appropriate.

If the former then:

1. Technical point - what we're discussing is actually (according to Scripture) the "lake of fire". What is translated as "hell" in our English versions is either "sheol" in the OT, or "hades" in the NT. "Hell" is probably better translated as "the grave", or something similar. Scripture doesn't give much detail about it, it seems to be some sort of temporary waiting or limbo until the final judgement. Anyway, what is translated as "hell" gets wiped out in the final judgement. The faithful go to heaven, the others go to the "lake of fire".

2. The lake of fire, just as heaven, is not a "part of earth" - so the asteroid thing is moot.

Any other questions that haven't been answered?