What is it precisely that troubles you about Hell? (Subject title changed)

[MacPherson]

First an introduction:

Hi Brian,

My particular training is in philosopohy and philosophical theology, so my approach is a more fundamental one.  I am very interested in theological systems and the philosophical assumptions behind them more than in the details, but I do enjoy any discussion that is honest and involves strengthening my faith and deepening my knowledge of God.

You have an excellent mind on these topics and I can tell that you're seeking the truth.  I'd love to dialogue with you about your questions!


Now the quiz:

Hi Brian,

I've been reading through your emails and I keep coming back to your struggle with the reality of Hell.  And so, I think this would be a good starting point for our dialogue.  Do you agree?

If you could boil it down to a sentence or two, what is it precisely that troubles you about Hell?

(Or maybe for some of you who are over the hump: If you could boil it down to a sentence or two, what is it precisely that troubled you about Hell originally?)

[Akira Takahashi]

This is going to sound very instinctual, but my original troubles stem from the fear of losing someone close to me.  I know way too many people whom I cannot seem to reach, whose hearts are hardened and seeds cannot be implanted in them, and I can't bear to think of these people suffering; moreover, I cannot bear even now to wonder what has happened to my friends and acquaintances who have already passed without having ever known Christ as their savior.

Now, if you want the less instinctual answer... (to be continued)  :winkgrin:

[claypot]

First an introduction:

Hi Brian,

My particular training is in philosopohy and philosophical theology, so my approach is a more fundamental one.  I am very interested in theological systems and the philosophical assumptions behind them more than in the details, but I do enjoy any discussion that is honest and involves strengthening my faith and deepening my knowledge of God.

You have an excellent mind on these topics and I can tell that you're seeking the truth.  I'd love to dialogue with you about your questions!


Now the quiz:

Hi Brian,

I've been reading through your emails and I keep coming back to your struggle with the reality of Hell.  And so, I think this would be a good starting point for our dialogue.  Do you agree?

If you could boil it down to a sentence or two, what is it precisely that troubles you about Hell?

(Or maybe for some of you who are over the hump: If you could boil it down to a sentence or two, what is it precisely that troubled you about Hell originally?)

Hey Brian,

Really and truely my first real main concern about 'hell' is its real definition. I usually just start out asking people in as friendly a manner as I can, what 'hell' are they talking about. I really don't do this to play word games but to get at the heart of the matter. Sure, the talk usually comes down to the question.....what troubles you about evil (suffering, torture.....) and then the discussion is on.

cp

[CHB]

If you could boil it down to a sentence or two, what is it precisely that troubles you about Hell?

The fact that I will probably have to spend some time there before I am given a spiritual body. I am not afraid of dying, it's the thought of being dead.  :laughing7: Being in a hole in the ground.  :grave:

CHB

[MacPherson]

If you could boil it down to a sentence or two, what is it precisely that troubles you about Hell?

The fact that I will probably have to spend some time there before I am given a spiritual body. I am not afraid of dying, it's the thought of being dead.  :laughing7: Being in a hole in the ground.  :grave:

CHB

It's not that I'm afraid of death, it's just that I'd rather not be there when it happens - Woody Allen.

Do you have a thought, or does the thought have you?

[Paul Hazelwood]

(Or maybe for some of you who are over the hump: If you could boil it down to a sentence or two, what is it precisely that troubled you about Hell originally?)

For me,  I have always wondered why people fear so much something they can not prove exists.

[MacPherson]

(Or maybe for some of you who are over the hump: If you could boil it down to a sentence or two, what is it precisely that troubled you about Hell originally?)

For me,  I have always wondered why people fear so much something they can not prove exists.

You sound like an ET atheist  :laughing7:
Superstition. And there's even a clinical phobia of it called Hadephobia (or something like that). I never feared it or, worried about it regarding others, or really believed in it, my whole life. Until one day for whatever reason, something in my brain went twang a few months ago.

[Average_Bear]

What bothered me most about hell before I realized it was a lie?
What bothered me was that I thought I was going to end up there. Sure, I'm a Christian, but what if I have some sin in my life that I forgot to repent of? What if I'm not quite sorry enough for my sin? What if I have doubts about my beliefs? What if I misunderstood an important doctrine? What if I backslide? What if I'm in the wrong denomination? What if the "Lordship Salvation" cult is right and I have to follow MacArthur's eleven commandments? What if the anti-Lordship Salvation group is right and all the Lordship Salvationators are the ones who are on their way to hell? :dontknow: :dontknow: :dontknow: The problem is, as long as there is a hell, there's a damned good chance you will go there, no matter how safe you think you are. If you don't believe it, just do a little internet searching on how to get saved and see the hundreds of different conflicting opinions out there.

Now, what bothers me about hell is that it makes God and Jesus look like the biggest failures in the history of the universe. How could a perfect God screw things up so badly. How could God send His son into the world to save the world and ultimately only save a few lucky winners? No - I can no longer believe in a god who fails.

[MacPherson]

What bothered me most about hell before I realized it was a lie?
What bothered me was that I thought I was going to end up there. Sure, I'm a Christian, but what if I have some sin in my life that I forgot to repent of? What if I'm not quite sorry enough for my sin? What if I have doubts about my beliefs? What if I misunderstood an important doctrine? What if I backslide? What if I'm in the wrong denomination? What if the "Lordship Salvation" cult is right and I have to follow MacArthur's eleven commandments? What if the anti-Lordship Salvation group is right and all the Lordship Salvationators are the ones who are on their way to hell? :dontknow: :dontknow: :dontknow: The problem is, as long as there is a hell, there's a damned good chance you will go there, no matter how safe you think you are. If you don't believe it, just do a little internet searching on how to get saved and see the hundreds of different conflicting opinions out there.

Now, what bothers me about hell is that it makes God and Jesus look like the biggest failures in the history of the universe. How could a perfect God screw things up so badly. How could God send His son into the world to save the world and ultimately only save a few lucky winners? No - I can no longer believe in a god who fails.

WOW! A+

[MacPherson]

All this time while I've been running around in circles, banging my head against the wall, and having meltdowns over what different men are telling me. All good men. All worthy teachers. All garners of my respect... Jesus has been patiently standing beside me, waiting for me to put my eyes back on Him and Him alone.

Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.
Matthew 24:35

[Raggedy Anne]

I was troubled by hell from early childhood because I had a conscience. I was from very early on, quite mortified that God could be so angry and unforgiving that people had to be perpetually and literally burned without end.  Think of how sickening that picture truly is.  Yet I was taught that that WAS precisely the truth and would be the outcome for most people.  No wonder so many people were afraid of death!    It think it is abnormal NOT to be troubled by such a thought.  I was taught by my grandmother very early in life that HELL WAS REAL.  And when my father died when I was very young and my mother told me she wasn't sure he believed in God - that is when my torment began and I lost the innocence of childhood and spent all my life in various states of depression until I was delivered from believing in ET which happened in the year 2000.

[martincisneros]

Hmmm....

It's based on bad translation and the bad translation makes God worse than Hitler.

A correct translation gives glory to God in the highest; peace on earth, good will towards men.

[fullarmor2]

Hmmm....

It's based on bad translation and the bad translation makes God worse than Hitler.

A correct translation gives glory to God in the highest; peace on earth, good will towards men.

    Yes,    thats it.  I read somewhere that the hell mainstream doctrine vilifies the character of our Heavenly Father.   Thats got to be the worst thing about it.