It sounds like a horrible pun, but it really is true: hell is a hot topic these days. A well-known pastor of a large evangelical church dared assert that the wicked will be consumed in hell fire rather than being tormented endlessly as is commonly taught. This sparked a firestorm of controversy and debate that continues to rage. Another well-known pastor responded with a book which takes a sensitive and compassionate view of this oft-neglected subject. His main premise is that this subject is not so much about doctrine as it is about destiny. If hell is a real, literal place, and thousands - if not millions - are destined to go there, the writer asserts that we cannot afford to be wrong on this. Amen.
The common understanding of judgement hell has more in common with Dante's Inferno than the teaching of the Bible. As is often the case, mythology has formed the basis for belief that many adhere to. Hell is a clearly a key biblical topic, and we cannot afford to be wrong on this. If hell fire truly is the destiny of the wicked, then this is far more than a doctrinal distinctive. While I strongly believe that the weight of scripture lies with an annihilating hell (i.e, Malachi 4:4; 2 Peter 2:6; Jude 7, etc), the key issue is that it is the ultimate destiny of unbelievers. And, it is totally avoidable. There is absolutely no reason why hell has to be the fate of anyone.
I have to confess that I've grown somewhat oblivious to the fact there are people I see every day who are destined for hell. Of course, I don't know exactly how God will deal in judgement (thankfully). But, the fact that there will be a literal hell, and that it is the fate of many, is more than enough reason to have a deep burden to prevent as many from going there as possible. The saving message of the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus (Acts 8:12) is the only way out. Neglecting to make others aware of this precious message places you and I in personal peril.
We can erase hell from our conscience, but we cannot erase it from God's reality. Passages such as Matthew 7:13-23, John 5:28-29, and Revelation 20:11-15 need to be carefully studied. Again, it's not so much a doctrinal study as it is one about destiny. People we know and love are destined for this fate unless they too repent and come to faith in Christ.
Hell is an inconvenient truth to ponder on a Monday - or any other day, for that matter. But, it is truth. May the awful reality of the truth about hell stir us to compassionately seek to prevent it from being the fate of those around us.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2011
The common understanding of judgement hell has more in common with Dante's Inferno than the teaching of the Bible. As is often the case, mythology has formed the basis for belief that many adhere to. Hell is a clearly a key biblical topic, and we cannot afford to be wrong on this. If hell fire truly is the destiny of the wicked, then this is far more than a doctrinal distinctive. While I strongly believe that the weight of scripture lies with an annihilating hell (i.e, Malachi 4:4; 2 Peter 2:6; Jude 7, etc), the key issue is that it is the ultimate destiny of unbelievers. And, it is totally avoidable. There is absolutely no reason why hell has to be the fate of anyone.
I have to confess that I've grown somewhat oblivious to the fact there are people I see every day who are destined for hell. Of course, I don't know exactly how God will deal in judgement (thankfully). But, the fact that there will be a literal hell, and that it is the fate of many, is more than enough reason to have a deep burden to prevent as many from going there as possible. The saving message of the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus (Acts 8:12) is the only way out. Neglecting to make others aware of this precious message places you and I in personal peril.
We can erase hell from our conscience, but we cannot erase it from God's reality. Passages such as Matthew 7:13-23, John 5:28-29, and Revelation 20:11-15 need to be carefully studied. Again, it's not so much a doctrinal study as it is one about destiny. People we know and love are destined for this fate unless they too repent and come to faith in Christ.
Hell is an inconvenient truth to ponder on a Monday - or any other day, for that matter. But, it is truth. May the awful reality of the truth about hell stir us to compassionately seek to prevent it from being the fate of those around us.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2011
posted by steve @ 9:25 AM
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