The argument that, a loving God cant send people to hell because I wouldn't wish that upon anyone, and I am not perfect...far from love. So, if God is love, there is no way he sends people to hell.
Have you heard this argument? It really makes sense. That's probably the first inclination that it is wrong. Talking about this a few weeks back, Paula and I really struggled with this idea. It is really hard to imagine God sending people to hell. Especially since we don't want that for anyone.
I forget how I started thinking about this, maybe it had to do with we view certain crimes. Regardless, I started thinking about the severity of even our small sins and how a Holy God might view them. So I imagined someone who didn't view rape/molestation or violent crimes as a big deal, kind of dismissing them. What would we think about that? Would that make a person more loving? Am I less like God because they make me think about justice and punishment? No, though it might tip over the cup of unrighteous anger about to spill over in my own heart.
The point is, it is a big deal, this sin we have. To God it is even bigger. That is what is so joyful about salvation in Christ. You are deserving of eternal torment, legs shaking, fingers pointing at you, even your own conscience, and Christ... He comes and pays the full price for our sins. He calls, redeems, and grows us into His body/church. It is amazing. The philosophical argument that pulled at our heart strings is contrary to the Bible and it's that simple. It's also heart strings pulling, while the Gospel is a real joy that smashes every stronghold and fills with life.
This grace frees, though I am perplexed by the thought of hell. In Restless, by Jennie Allen, she describes how a professor encouraged her to embrace the tension of who God is. When we don't do this, we "end up somewhere wrong" ( Allen, p. 30). And as I was pondering this yesterday, I was listening to Moody radio. I wanted to hear how these folks answered certain questions. After the show, one of the pastors explained how he was going to preach on infant salvation the following day. Did you catch that? Are you seeing the connection? God surely must...if...
Any thoughts on these matters? I am especially interested in thoughts on embracing the tension of who God is, without putting Him where He really isn't. So, shoot, and it doesn't have to be on the doctrines addressed here.
God is also angry with sin. At some point in our history, people who had intimate, firsthand knowledge of God decided that they didn't want a relationship with him. I hold out the hope that mercy will be shown. It's hard for me to think about the billions that don't know Christ and the consequences thereof. Part of me hopes there isn't a God because of hell.
ReplyDeleteI'm also pissed at the fools that originally rejected God, knowing full well that their blood runs through my veins, for all this awful shit that has happened because of man's rebellion.
ReplyDeleteYour original question is a variation of a question that I run into when I read my atheist literature wherein God is accused of being impotent, apathetic and unloving because He allowed evil to continue.
ReplyDeletePeople have this timely old grandfather image of God with white hair and a long flowing beard. A chuckling God who doesn't care what you do. The bible clearly describes an angry God who demands retribution for sin.
ReplyDeleteYou can clearly see God's anger in Christ's execution.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I think I hear you on all of these points. When we hear about God getting mad at the Israelites and having them die off in the wilderness due to their unbelief, it is pretty intense. Still, like you, I believe those who repented were saved, just like ourselves.
ReplyDeleteAlso, you mention how some knew full-well and still rejected God. Man, isn't that me sometimes? At one moment so aware and excited about God and then following my own ways and making myself god?
Also, you must get somewhat upset reading the atheist literature. It is quite frustrating to me, as you recall. Let me know if you ever need to bounce some things around with that.
Finally, we see God's righteous anger in the execution of his son. This is so true. He is not like Gandolf on Prozak...