Evangelical conditionalism

[StefanM]

I am much to arrogant to allow anything external to affect my emotional balance. But I have to admit the very concept of hell bothers me sometimes.

When I stop to think about it I too find the concept horrifying. It causes me to question whether or not I am capable of comprehending the love of God (which I am not). How can a loving God allow such horror and torment? I don't know.

But I do know this. Some day, in the not too distant future, when God calls me home and causes me, with my renewed eternal mind, to better comprehend Him and what He has decreed, I will know that He is right and I was wrong. And the provisions He has made for both the redeemed and the lost are right, and holy, and perfect. Because He is God and I am not.

We may not ultimately agree on what is true or not (which is ok---disagreement doesn't hurt me), but I think your balanced approach is appropriate.

What I cannot stand is when people seem to be almost gleeful at the idea of hell. If a person doesn't approach hell with the gravity and solemnity it demands, that person really needs to reevaluate himself/herself.

 

[evangelist6589]

Is their view that Hell is not forever, as sinners will one day cease to exist?

Yes that is correct.

 

[Yeshua1]

Yes that is correct.

Problem wit that is that there is NO real judgemnt, if all get same treatment, how can Hitkler burn up abd be judged same way a "nice" athiest is? How can God be just and holy without eternal Hell? Why do the scriptures always ue same terms to quantify Heaven and Hell, as both being eternal ages?

 

[StefanM]

Problem wit that is that there is NO real judgemnt, if all get same treatment, how can Hitkler burn up abd be judged same way a "nice" athiest is? How can God be just and holy without eternal Hell? Why do the scriptures always ue same terms to quantify Heaven and Hell, as both being eternal ages?

You don't have to assume that all are punished equally. It does not require immediate annihilation. One could be punished for an extended period, then destroyed.

 

[Yeshua1]

You don't have to assume that all are punished equally. It does not require immediate annihilation. One could be punished for an extended period, then destroyed.

Why would they cease to exist? Would that not be a worse fate than livng on?

 

[StefanM]

Why would they cease to exist? Would that not be a worse fate than livng on?

In continuous torment? No, living on would be worse than annihilation.

 

[Yeshua1]

In continuous torment? No, living on would be worse than annihilation.

God will judg each person correctly, so there will be degrees of Hell,,,

 

[StefanM]

God will judg each person correctly, so there will be degrees of Hell,,,

Still doesn't exclude conditionalism. Not all have to be destroyed at the same time.

 

[Yeshua1]

Still doesn't exclude conditionalism. Not all have to be destroyed at the same time.

None would be destroyed, as death /resurrection of Jesus bough them resurrection bodies that can never die!

 

[StefanM]

None would be destroyed, as death /resurrection of Jesus bough them resurrection bodies that can never die!

Is it your position that God would be unable to destroy them?

 

[evangelist6589]

Problem wit that is that there is NO real judgemnt, if all get same treatment, how can Hitkler burn up abd be judged same way a "nice" athiest is? How can God be just and holy without eternal Hell? Why do the scriptures always ue same terms to quantify Heaven and Hell, as both being eternal ages?

For the last time learn to proofread your posts!!!!!

 

[Yeshua1]

For the last time learn to proofread your posts!!!!!

What did you think about if all sinners are burnt up, no real justice by God then?

 

[StefanM]

What did you think about if all sinners are burnt up, no real justice by God then?

Why does God have to torture someone for 100000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 trillion years (and more) in order to have "real justice?"

 

[TCassidy]

Why does God have to torture someone for 100000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 trillion years (and more) in order to have "real justice?"

He doesn't. What the "different levels of hell" theory does is seriously underestimate the horror of sin.

Sin is infinite. So a finite man must spend an infinite time in hell to pay for his sin.

But The Infinite Man could pay for all man's sin with a finite sacrifice.

 

[Baptist Believer]

From the teachings of Christ and the New TEstament Writers.

Your thoughtful post demands a careful response. Unfortunately, I am so busy right now, I don't have time to put together much of anything until the weekend. My day was completely full yesterday, will be today and tomorrow, and will likely be on Friday.

I will respond soon.

 

[Darrell C]

Why does God have to torture someone for 100000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 trillion years (and more) in order to have "real justice?"

Its actually a longer period than that, sorry.

I think we make a mistake when we try to impose into an eternal perspective concepts derived from the temporal. Most take the imagery of "the Lake of Fire" and impose their understanding into that, which usually results in the image of countless souls on fire and screaming. While I try to be careful not "spiritualize" Scripture, in the term lake of fire is the concept of "The Place of Judgment." We know that God judges justly, and that the severity of judgment varies dependent on the sins of the individual. As believers, it is torment enough to consider being separated from God at all, much less for eternity.

So in regards to a one shoe fits all judgment which has imposed into it a temporal concept created from hollywood, I think it better to remind ourselves that God is a merciful God, and that the eternal judgment the Lost will face will be according to their sin. So I don't have that concept of countless souls burning in a lake of fire, because I don't think that is all there is to it.

We do know that for demons and at least the Antichrist and the false prophet there is an eternity that will be traumatic, but that doesn't necessarily mean that all who spend eternity separated from God suffer an equally terrible existence.

But to be sure, such imagery serves to motivate us to be concerned for the Lost, and to make ourselves available to God in any way we can in an effort to see that not one person remains separated from God any longer than they have to.

As I said before, fear of Hell is a great motivator...for the Lost as well as the Redeemed.


God bless.

 

[Yeshua1]

He doesn't. What the "different levels of hell" theory does is seriously underestimate the horror of sin.

Sin is infinite. So a finite man must spend an infinite time in hell to pay for his sin.

But The Infinite Man could pay for all man's sin with a finite sacrifice.

Just getting that from Jesus, when he told us that God will punish with varying degrees of punishment, based upon the light the sinner received and how they acted with it!
And worst part of Hell seems to be total separation from presence of God forever...

 

[Yeshua1]

Why does God have to torture someone for 100000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 trillion years (and more) in order to have "real justice?"

God is not roasting them over fire pit and getting glee from that! hell is God letting them have their "free will", as they refused Jesus, so got their way....