I am a Christian and a serious student of the Bible. I beleive in all the major doctrines of Christianity including the need for regenration, salvation, the promise of heaven and the threat of hell. That the damned are sent to hell after the last judgment is no issue to me. The issue is : will the damned suffer for eternity? There are Scriptural passages that can be made to support such a notion; but only if taken literally. So, if I beleive that the damned will be sent to hell and there be destroyed (as cease to exist), will you think that I am a heretic?
2006-10-06 18:44:08 · 9 answers · asked by Phoebhart 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
My dear sister Esther: I am as well acquainted with the Bible as any person with a Master's of Divinity in Biblical Studies from a reputable Evangelical seminary has a right to expect. I have an M. Div. and I write theology, for which research and learning never ends. That's what I meant by "serious student." But to your comment: "their worm never dies" - notice that it is the "worm" that never dies. It is the same with the statement in Revelation : "and the smoke of their torment rose up forever and ever." Notice that it is the "smoke" that rises up forever and ever. In both statements, nothing is said about the person per se - whether they coninue on forever and ever or not.
2006-10-07 01:07:36 · update #1
Dear Smiling S: where does it read in the Bible that the soul of man is inherently immortal? Immortality and incorruption are promised only to the righteous (1 Cor. 15:42-44); immortality thus may be refused to the unrepentant, reflecting God’s judgment on them. God alone possesses immortality (1 Tim. 6: 15 - 16), but eternal life is promised to those who trust in Christ and obey the Gospel. Jesus said that God can destroy both body and soul in Hell (Matt. 10: 28). Why would Jesus say such things if the human soul were intrinsically immortal and that God cannot therefore destroy it? Certainly, the Scriptures do say that all of humanity, the good and the bad alike will be raised at the general resurrection and that the bodies of the saints will be raised “incorruptible” i.e., immortal (1 Cor. 15: 42 – 44).
2006-10-07 01:19:35 · update #2
Dear "BeReal": You are assuming that as a Christian and a serious student of the Bible, I will have all the answers. Well, while serious study answers many questions, it raises even more deeper issues, I noticed. This I think is why one may stusy the Bible over a whole lifetime and still there are mysteries within mysteries. I am just humbly grateful that my rather provoking question has not issued in a hue and cry of "Heretic!" hee hee hee. Truly, I am humbly grateful for all your replies.
2006-10-07 01:40:07 · update #3
I do not.
2006-10-06 18:45:58 · answer #1 · answered by Mere Mortal 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you are a serious student, may I remind you that the unrepentant sinner sends him or herself to H*ll? God doesn't make the decision for anyone. And if, as the Bible teaches, the soul is immortal, I can't see how that allows for a simple oblivious end.
2006-10-07 01:50:29 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the Bible is clear: outer darkness, the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, where the worm never dies, cast into the Lake of Fire ect,... i don't think that you are a heretic for believing that you will only cease to exist after death but if you do not believe that Jesus is both God and man to save you from your sins then your in big trouble.
2006-10-07 01:52:12 · answer #3 · answered by Ernesto 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No I think you just are not as well acquainted with the bible as you will be if you keep studying. The bible talks about the fires of hell, where the "worm never dies" and the fire is not quenched.
It's eternal.
2006-10-07 01:46:23 · answer #4 · answered by Esther 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
first of all we arent God and God isnt us . haveing said this what is eternity to God and would you punish a child that did wrong but didnt know it was wrong yet . who has been dead and returned to exsplain death heaven or hell . i belieave in heaven and hell but not as we have dreamed them . those that have never had opertunity to accept christ couldnt honestly be condemed by God and wont be in my opinion . the bible is a precious book but written by mans hand with God guideing his heart . anything made by man is subject to change and manipulation for many reasons and theres other writeings of the bible that are left out of king james versian because they didnt reflect saints ideas of Gods word . we know in our hearts that God loves us and that hes not a vengeful destructive and killing God but yet we have painted him as this and i denie this .its true hell is real but not a place we can see or touch and heaven is same and those that reject God knowing they shouldnt are going thare . we judge too much and put ourselves on a pedastal in Gods name . God knows our hearts and why we do everything we do and this is how we are judged not by mans words or beliefs .i love the bible but its meant to be read with open heart and mind not with iron concience . your not a heratic just normal christian but rather try to be a exstrodinay christian instead and feel Gods mercy and dont think hes a terrible entity to be feard for his rath and power . thats not what God wants from us but rather our faith and love and works given to him because he is our loveing and careing father whom heals and eases our pain and dosent ever hurt us . we do that ourselves . the God i belieave in dosent need to punish our sins because we punish ourselves by putting distance between us and him this results in punishment here on earth . the end is the begining and not a terrible time but a glorious salvation and to be looked forward to . there will be rewards and punishment but only God knows the truth of it and has power to judge our souls . the word is uplifting not tradgic . in the end the whole world will be shocked at Gods true face of judgement and first will be the last and the last will be the first .
2006-10-07 02:15:29 · answer #5 · answered by sigmond 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Isn't the first rule of Bible study to take it literally unless presented as an analogy or example? I take these verses literally. Hell was created for the fallen angels. If we choose to join them in rejecting God as Lord, aren't we condemning ourselves by that choice. I don't see this condemnation as God's purpose for us, just the consequence of our own stubbornness.
http://judgeright.blogspot.com
2006-10-07 01:52:26 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
a damn good point (no pun intended)
i........really cant think of any bible passages to say that sinners go to hell for eternity
hmmm...............................................................................
jesus speaks of people being sent to a lake of fire or something like it
but never says they stay there forever..............as far as i know
but people dont exactly catch diseases and die in heaven, their hearts never fail, and they seem to be free from any sort of that thing
maybe in the afterlife people are immune to any sort of bodily flaws, whether they are in heaven or not, which would mean they would suffer in hell for eternity. jesus did compare the punishment of hell to the punishment of torture, which intentionally does not involve death
or maybe only those in heaven are immune to bodily problems, meaning that hell is only the incinerator before death. after all did jesus not say that sinners are like chaff from a grain harvest to be burned up((((((not for eternity)))))))))
i really dont know
but a damn good point nonetheless
by the way i am non-religious.
2006-10-07 01:59:17 · answer #7 · answered by kitty is ANGRY!™ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are a Christian and a serious student of the Bible, why are you asking that question???
2006-10-07 04:30:16 · answer #8 · answered by twelfntwelf3 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think God sends them there, I think they send themself there.
2006-10-07 01:46:23 · answer #9 · answered by Anna 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋