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What is Hell?

Marcia

Marcia

Active Member
I have found it to be a waste of time discussing this issue with Christians who don't believe hell exists.
 
U

UberSmith

New Member
Hell

Oh yeah, that guy is in fact, a Universalist. Honestly, if someone doesn't believe in a literal Hell but does believe in the sacrificial atonement for Christ for his or her sins, it doesn't make them any less of a Christian. It may get under your skin that they don't share your beliefs, however, it wouldn't change anything ---- you don't go to hell because you don't believe in Hell (I've actually read on some boards those who actually believe that if you DONT believe in a literal hell, you are doomed to go there!) On the other hand, those who are Universalist have a difficult time believing that Jesus is in fact THE way, THE truth and THE life and that no one comes to the father but by him. So, which is more pressing? What should you spend most of your energy on when confronted by one of these characters? I personally wouldn't loose any sleep if I didn't convince someone there is a literal hell. Actually, if that is the big stick you use to "lead" someone to Christ, I would have to question their conversion in the long run. Just some food for thought.

M
 
BobRyan

BobRyan

Well-Known Member
Agreed. People can be in error thinking that "all dogs go to heaven" AND that "all mankind goes to heaven" -- and still be saved.

And - I would not want to have to argue that THEIR error is so much worse than praying to the dead, or trying to justify the slaughter of millions of Christians, or inventing Purgatory etc.
 
Marcia

Marcia

Active Member
I agree there are more important issues to focus on than Christians who don't believe in hell, but universalism sticks in my craw because it undermines the sacrifice and suffering of Jesus Christ. What a cost He paid! And for what? So all will go to heaven anyway, even if they deny him (some believe those who deny him will get a chance later and believe him because it will be so obvious).

Here's an example of the dangerous results of this thinking: Christian writer Anne Lamott, who is very popular in some circles and was given an admiring interview by Christianity Today magazine, is a universalist. She wears a cord around her wrist that was blessed by the Dalai Lama and given to her by Buddhist writer Jack Kornfield.

Lamott has endorsed a book by New Ager Marianne Williamson. This is really horrible and is a terrible witness for Christ. But since she believes everyone goes to heaven, I guess she doesn't see any problem with endorsing a book that leads people into spiritual darkness, because for a universalist, there are no consequences of spiritual darkness. Or maybe for them there is no spiritual darkness. Who knows what damage will come of her endorsement and her foolish statements? :tear:
 
R

Revmitchell

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
If you do not believe in the wrath of God how can the cross have any meaning?

It cannot have any meaning at all. If you deny hell and the wrath of God then ther is no need for repentence, the shed blood, or the cross. And without those there is no salvation.
 
D

DHK

<b>Moderator</b>
"And Jesus could do no more miracles there (Capernaum) because of their unbelief."
Unbelief is one of the greatest hindrances to coming to salvation: whether it be unbelief in the Bible, in the deity of Christ, in Heaven or in Hell, or in any number of doctrines. Unbelief keeps one from Christ.
Did not Jesus say, "When I come again will I find faith?"
Jude said that it was our obligation to, "Contend for the faith." That means to stand up and defend those very doctrines which Christ and the Apostles taught such as the existence of an eternal place of punishment.
Doctrine is important. It cannot be ignored. We cannot brush it aside and simply say that winning souls is the most important thing. Obedience to the Scriptures in all things is.
DHK
 
I

Inquiring Mind

New Member
Bob the SDA man. If these Universalists believe in everyone getting to heaven and hell is just a myth, that parallels your pagan belief that there is no eternal damnation/punishment.
 
U

UberSmith

New Member
Here's a question........

Inquiring Mind said:
Bob the SDA man. If these Universalists believe in everyone getting to heaven and hell is just a myth, that parallels your pagan belief that there is no eternal damnation/punishment.
Click to expand...

If hell is a literal place, why didn't God make Adam aware of this punishment before he sinned? Come to think of it, Cain wasn't told, neither was Noah, Abraham, Joshua, David, etc. As a matter of fact, God only told Adam that he would die. Now, I am prepared for the "Death has two meanings" argument --- bear in mind, the text does'nt say that.... it just says that in the day he eats of the forbidden food, he will die; the graveyards are testimony to this truth. For an interesting treatment of this subject, see The Origin And History Of The Doctrine of Endless Punishment by Thomas B. Thayer. If you're not afraid of words, give it a read. :thumbs:

M
 
I

Inquiring Mind

New Member
UberSmith said:
If hell is a literal place, why didn't God make Adam aware of this punishment before he sinned? Come to think of it, Cain wasn't told, neither was Noah, Abraham, Joshua, David, etc. As a matter of fact, God only told Adam that he would die. Now, I am prepared for the "Death has two meanings" argument --- bear in mind, the text does'nt say that.... it just says that in the day he eats of the forbidden food, he will die; the graveyards are testimony to this truth. For an interesting treatment of this subject, see The Origin And History Of The Doctrine of Endless Punishment by Thomas B. Thayer. If you're not afraid of words, give it a read. :thumbs:

M
Click to expand...
You're a Universalist as well?
 
I

Inquiring Mind

New Member
If hell is a literal place, why didn't God make Adam aware of this punishment before he sinned?
Click to expand...
Does God have to reveal everything to man all at once? If yes then, why didn't God tell Adam and Eve they were Immortal?
 
U

UberSmith

New Member
Inquiring Mind said:
Does God have to reveal everything to man all at once? If yes then, why didn't God tell Adam and Eve they were Immortal?
Click to expand...

I wouldnt assume that God had to tell them. Am I a Universalist? No...I believe the paper by Thayer is a very challenging paper. To long to read? You've told me volumns.
 
H

His Blood Spoke My Name

New Member
It is interesting to think of a place that burns with fire for all eternity, and yet, there is a town in Pennsylvania that has had a fire under it for 45 years and engineers say could very well burn for another 100 years!
The ruins of Centralia Pennsylvania no longer exists on some maps. The story began sometime in 1962 along the outskirts of town when trash was burned in the pit of an abandoned strip mine, which connected to a coal vein running near the surface. The burning trash caught the exposed vein of coal on fire. The fire was thought to be extinguished but it apparently wasn't when it erupted in the pit a few days later. Again the fire was doused with water for hours and thought to be out. But it wasn't. The coal then began to burn underground. That was in 1962. For the next two decades, workers battled the fire, flushing the mines with water and fly ash, excavated the burning material and dug trenches, backfilled, drilling again and again in an attempt to find the boundaries of the fire and plan to put the fire out or at least contain it. All efforts failed to do either as government officials delayed to take any real action to save the village. By the early 1980s the fire had affected approximately 200 acres and homes had to be abandoned as carbon monoxide levels reached life threatening levels. An engineering study concluded in 1983 that the fire could burn for another century or even more and "could conceivably spread over an area of approximately 3,700 acres."
Click to expand...

For the rest of the story, follow this link:
http://www.offroaders.com/album/centralia/centralia.htm
 
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