Which view of hell do you hold to?

That's not quite true, because the way parables are introduced is not clear-cut. It is introduced in the same fashion as many other parables. For instance, Luke 16 contains two stories. The first begins "There was a rich man who had a manager" (Luke 16:1). The second begins "There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen" (Luke 16:19). The first story is obviously a parable. The second story is told in the same format. Neither story is clearly labelled as a parable.

I'm sure every parable of Jesus is unique in some way. I think the parable of the good Samaritan is the only one where the nationality of a character is given (I could be wrong on that, though). I don't see why naming one character in a story would make it more likely to be historical.

Whew, I'm feeing deja vu here!

There's certainly some moderates. Please stay away with those matches.

No. I think my view of hell takes more of Scripture literally than the opposing views. I take Isaiah 66:24; Matthew 10:28; John 3:16; 1 Corinthians 1:18, 15:28; 2 Peter 2:12, 3:9; Jude 1:7 literally. The passages I don't take literally are mainly parables, visions, or other texts that are not written in a way similar to historical accounts or didactic teaching. Those who hold to the other views seem to take a different approach. They treat parables and visions literally and take historical accounts and didactic teaching figuratively. I think that approach is a far more slippery slope than mine.

They are faced with damnation. We disagree over what that damnation entails.

 

I do not believe the biblical teaching is of eternal torment for the wicked.

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• Punishment (Matthew 25:46; 2 Peter 2:4-9; Jude 1:7).</font>
• Hell (Matthew 5:29-30, 10:28, 23:15,33; Mark 9:42-48; Luke 12:5).</font>
• Perishing (Luke 13:1-5; John 3:16; John 10:28; 1 Corinthians 1:18; 2 Corinthians 2:15, 4:3; 2 Peter 3:9).</font>
• Utter darkness (Jude 1:12-13).</font>
• Destruction (Matthew 7:13; Luke 17:26-30; Romans 9:22-23; Philippians 1:28; 3:18-19; 2 Thessalonians 1:9; Hebrews 10:35-39; James 4:12; 2 Peter 2:12-13, 3:5-7; Jude 1:5).</font>

I have said clearly and consistently that I believe there will be a future punishment for the wicked. I believe the end result of the punishment will be the destruction of the wicked. I have no idea what form and how severe the torment will be prior to that point. It could consist of literal fire and worms for all I know. God will do what is just.

I do believe they are in danger of hell fire, whether the fire is metaphorical or not. However, I think the end result of hell fire is destruction.

Do these people in the street believe they will someday stand before their Maker? Do they believe they will be judged? Do they believe they will be cast into hell for their unbelief? If not, then their beliefs are different than mine.

Also, I think you are forgetting an important component of the Gospel. The Good News is more than fire insurance. It is also the promise of an eternity with God! Even if there were no hell, I'd still find eternity with God infinitely more desirable than non-existence. In fact, even if I didn't know about heaven or hell, I hope I would still choose to love, trust and obey Jesus and not want to live life without him. But, of course, I believe in both heaven and hell.

An interesting reply. I would have found an attempt to address what Scripture says more compelling. Why is it that nobody in this thread who believes in eternal torment has even tried to explain the more troublesome verses for that view? I was quite open in addressing both verses that plainly support my view and verses that could be problematic to it. I think the discussion would be more fruitful if others did that too.

I do agree that what we believe does not alter what really is.

 

Just a sidenote, but Jesus told the religious leaders of the day that they were in danger of hell fire (Matthew 23), and he also warned of certain behaviours that could put one in danger of hell fire (Matthew 5; Mark 9). Jesus used different approaches when dealing with the average person in the street, or person at the well.

 

I find by reading different posts on different forums on this board that some of the comparisons I have noticed are quite interesting.

Its pretty common to find those who believe in a literal 1000 year reign also believe in an eternal hell.

Just the same for many who are preterist or half preterists they seem to lean toward the annihilation view of hell. Also alot of those who fall into the Gen1-11 as symbolic could probably fall into that category.

If you want to do a poll and see for yourself.
I'm not a betting man but if I was I bet I'd find some solid percentages for my comparisons.

 

I believe hell is hot, horrible, and has an honorable position waiting for you if you are not under the blood.

 

Save your money, you are wrong.

I've read many partial and full-preterist authors and preachers. Those who hold to annihilation or symbolic Genesis is probably close to the same % of Dispies who hold those views. In fact I know of none that believe Genesis is symbolic. Of course you definition of "symbolic" is warped in my view.

 

"Of course you definition of "symbolic" is warped in my view." I just can't understand how if I said this it would be a problem. You guys can continue with the topic though.