1. What do you think is the biggest misconception about Hell?
2. Do you think the explanation of God allowing us freedom (and we've abused the freedom by making bad choices) is adequate in explaining the reality of Hell? Why or why not?
I think that it can be hard for many to have a clear understanding of hell considering how the Scriptures approach the subject. We know Jesus talked more about it than anybody. But, we don't ever get a clear introduction to it like we did the Garden or God, himself.
To be completely honest, I don't know for sure where and when the doctrine of Hell entered into the Hebrew worldview preceding Christ. I heard that it was adopted from pagan cultures by the pharisees while in Exile and occupation (especially with the use of the word "Hades"), but I don't like that thesis. Then you have the word "Gehenna", referring to a physical place.
Anyway, Mike, if you'd like to discuss that with me, I'd really enjoy that (and I'd love to hear your thoughts).
As for the second question,
I think the reality is best equated to realizing how much of God's grace we're currently in and how he favors us in many aspects of life, but the wiles of the enemy are still shining through. What would our existence be if we were removed from all of his grace? If we don't fully yield to his grace in surrender, we're destined to be disconnected from all that is good and lifegiving. I think that's the definition I've gleaned of hell.
I think we have a tough time understanding choices as Americans. As Americans we have so many choices everyday. Have you been to the grocery store lately? How many times have you said to yourself, "I could get lost in here." In other countries where the opportunity is less, sometime the choice is hunger or theft. Making right choices becomes different based on our circumstances.
Many don't want to think about consequences of their actions and would prefer not to believe there is a Hell. It doesn't seem politically correct, even sometimes in the Christian circle these days, to speak of the devil or Hell. He (the devil) is the deceiver and liar and the more we deny his existence the more he can deceive.
Without the existence of God in our life, humans would and do create their own hell. Praise God for his mercy and love for us!
Yes. I think much of the reason the idea of hell is pushed aside so often (at least in Western culture) is that we are so driven by a quick-fix, rights-obsessed, comfort-centered culture, the reality of sin and Hell just doesn't fit into the framework through which we're taught to see the world.
Perspective on sin and Hell is one of the clearest points of contrast between the worldview of our secular culture and that of Christ.
4 comments:
I think that it can be hard for many to have a clear understanding of hell considering how the Scriptures approach the subject. We know Jesus talked more about it than anybody. But, we don't ever get a clear introduction to it like we did the Garden or God, himself.
To be completely honest, I don't know for sure where and when the doctrine of Hell entered into the Hebrew worldview preceding Christ. I heard that it was adopted from pagan cultures by the pharisees while in Exile and occupation (especially with the use of the word "Hades"), but I don't like that thesis. Then you have the word "Gehenna", referring to a physical place.
Anyway, Mike, if you'd like to discuss that with me, I'd really enjoy that (and I'd love to hear your thoughts).
As for the second question,
I think the reality is best equated to realizing how much of God's grace we're currently in and how he favors us in many aspects of life, but the wiles of the enemy are still shining through. What would our existence be if we were removed from all of his grace? If we don't fully yield to his grace in surrender, we're destined to be disconnected from all that is good and lifegiving. I think that's the definition I've gleaned of hell.
I think we have a tough time understanding choices as Americans. As Americans we have so many choices everyday. Have you been to the grocery store lately? How many times have you said to yourself, "I could get lost in here."
In other countries where the opportunity is less, sometime the choice is hunger or theft. Making right choices becomes different based on our circumstances.
Many don't want to think about consequences of their actions and would prefer not to believe there is a Hell. It doesn't seem politically correct, even sometimes in the Christian circle these days, to speak of the devil or Hell. He (the devil) is the deceiver and liar and the more we deny his existence the more he can deceive.
Without the existence of God in our life, humans would and do create their own hell. Praise God for his mercy and love for us!
To both Craleys:
Yes. I think much of the reason the idea of hell is pushed aside so often (at least in Western culture) is that we are so driven by a quick-fix, rights-obsessed, comfort-centered culture, the reality of sin and Hell just doesn't fit into the framework through which we're taught to see the world.
Perspective on sin and Hell is one of the clearest points of contrast between the worldview of our secular culture and that of Christ.
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