Is a symbolic interpretation of Hell allowed by Catholicism?
2007-12-23 18:40:41 · 8 answers · asked by Nowhere Man 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Perhaps Hell could be interpreted as being without physical pain. The emotional pain is so intense that it feels as thought one is in a lake of fire.
The Eastern Orthodox Church, for example, believes Hell is the water of God's love, but those in Hell reject God. Therefore, the water of God's love appears to be a lake of fire.
2007-12-23 18:48:35 · update #1
No. Despite rumors to the contrary, hell is still a doctrine in Catholic theology. One who purposely rejects God chooses not to enjoy an eternity of friendship with the Lord. This is the basic notion of hell - cutting oneself off from God.
The existence of hell or separation from God is very real. However, what form hell assumes or in what manner a damned person will suffer, is open to debate. No one has come back to report the temperature in hell. And no human can judge whether another is damned.
Theologians suggest that hell be seen as a state of total rejection of God. Like heaven, it is not a place and is not subject to time.
2007-12-23 20:10:10 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The word “hell” is found in many Bible translations. In the same verses other translations read “the grave,” “the world of the dead,” and so forth. Other Bibles simply transliterate the original-language words that are sometimes rendered “hell”; that is, they express them with the letters of our alphabet but leave the words untranslated. What are those words? The Hebrew she’ohl′ and its Greek equivalent hai′des, which refer, not to an individual burial place, but to the common grave of dead mankind; also the Greek ge′en·na, which is used as a symbol of eternal destruction. However, both in Christendom and in many non-Christian religions it is taught that hell is a place inhabited by demons and where the wicked, after death, are punished (and some believe that this is with torment).
2007-12-24 02:43:59 · answer #2 · answered by LineDancer 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Is there symbolism associated with the biblical and Church teaching on hell? Yes
Should Catholics believe in a state or place called hell?
Most definitely!
In Christ
Fr. Joseph
2007-12-24 02:50:47 · answer #3 · answered by cristoiglesia 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hell:
Matt. 3:12; Luke 3:17 - John the Baptist said the Lord will burn the chaff with unquenchable fire. This unquenchable fire is the state of eternal separation from God, which the Church has called "hell" for 2,000 years. Some Protestant communities no longer acknowledge the reality of hell.
Matt. 25:41 - Jesus says, "Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels."
Matt. 25:46 - Jesus says, "they will go away into eternal punishment" which is in reference to this eternal fire.
Mark 9:47-48 - Jesus refers to hell as where the worm does not die and the fire is not quenched. It lasts forever.
2 Thess. 1:6-9 - the angels will come with flaming fire and the disobedient will suffer punishment of eternal destruction. It is important to note that "destruction" does not mean "annihilation," as some Protestant denominations teach. It means eternal exclusion from the presence of God.
Jude 6-7 - the rebelling angels, and Sodom and Gomorrah, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.
Rev. 14:11 - the worshipers of the beast suffer and the smoke of their torment goes up for ever and ever.
Rev. 20:10 - they're tormented in the lake of fire and brimstone day and night forever and ever.
Isaiah 33:14 - "Who of us can dwell in the everlasting fire?" This is a reference to hell which is forever.
Isaiah 66:24 - their worm shall not die and their fire shall not be quenched. We cannot fathom the pain of this eternal separation from God.
Jer. 15:14 - in my anger a fire is kindled which shall burn forever. Hell is the proper compliment to the eternal bliss of heaven.
Judith 16:17 - in the day of judgment the Lord will take vengeance on the wicked and they shall weep in pain forever. Hell is a place that sinners have prepared for themselves by rejecting God, who desires all people to be saved in His Son Jesus Christ. God sends no one to hell.
2007-12-24 10:59:58 · answer #4 · answered by Daver 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, im a catholic,but dont believe in hell. I slightly believe in revelation. According to revelation, hell does not exist now, but will soon exist when the apocalypse comes. Though, I dont believe human souls will go to hell. Or possibly will, to cleanse their souls to enter heaven.
2007-12-24 02:46:52 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Good point. When the spirit becomes separated from the body, how would one feel physical pain?
2007-12-24 02:58:48 · answer #6 · answered by Dr. Nightcall 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
can you elaborate? in what sense or for what reason would you make it symbolic?
2007-12-24 02:44:28 · answer #7 · answered by fenian1916 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no.
2007-12-24 02:43:45 · answer #8 · answered by Somewhat Enlightened, the Parrot of Truth 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋