HELL

Skeptical side

-People wonder how a good God can condemn people to such suffering. -What about the people that have never heard the Gospel? -people see hell as metaphorical instead of literal -churches pass over the topic of hell, afraid of offending someone. Socinians- a group of skeptical Christians in the 17th century that questioned if hell was really eternal. Said that the wicked were destroyed in hell rather than punished. Philosophers in the Age of Enlightenment: most saw hell as metaphorical instead of literal. Thomas Hobbs said hell may be eternal but punishment isn't. Charles Lutwidge Dodgson said that the idea of hell was blasphemy against a good God. Today: many do not understand why an eternal punishment is just because they do not understand the gravity of their sins. Sin is seen as a personal failure rather than an offence against God and is downplayed in the church.

3 views of HELL

1. Literal: includes the physical aspects, commonly interpreted to be the belief that punishment for the wicked is everlasting. 2. Metaphorical: this view says that we aren't really sure what hell will be like; it makes it seem unrealistic and dream like. 3. Purgatorial View: the state/place in the next world between heaven and hell.

Christian Response

Christians should use the Bible as their source for literal interpretation about this controversial subject The concept of hell as a place of eternal damnation is compatible with a good and loving God, because God gives man the choice to accept him and allows multiple opportunities for people to follow him and be saved

Christian Response

Eternal Damnation- Many people question whether or not the idea of eternal damnation including punishment, destruction and banishment is compatible with a loving God. The answer to this question is yes, because God lets us as individuals with free will determine the course of our lives

Hell in NT

Hell in the New Testament: Three Greek terms are used to reference Hell They are "hades", "gehenna" and "tartaros" Unlike the Old Testament, the aspects of hell in the New Testament focus on punishment, destruction and banishment, with the primary images used to depict hell being fire and darkness

Hell in OT

Hell in the old testament- The Old Testament uses the Hebrew word "sheol" 65 times to describe "the world of the dead" which is translated most commonly into grave or hell It simply refers to the place and condition of dead souls after their physical decease and before their resurrection to face God's judgment