Well everyone, here is my next installment. For now I will be limiting my blog entries to once a week. There are a number of reasons as to why but for now let me say that the top reason is two fold. (1) I want to learn how to write articles and periodicals for the purpose of someday having them published. When and where is still a mystery but it is a goal. (2) I want to develop a more disciplined routine when it comes to meeting deadlines. I am pretty good in meeting dead lines that people in authority over me will set, however, I a can become a procrastinator when it comes to meeting my own deadlines. This could be a poll for a future blog! Oh, the possibilities are endless! So here is part two of what seems to be a four part series (not nesscessarily in sequential order).
After reading a little more about this issue that no one seems to want to talk about I have come to understand at a broader level some things or views that have guided and/or molded our transition in belief and understanding of this topic about Hell.
The question must be asked, “What has happened in our churches and our Denominations that caused the ‘downplay’ or ‘de-emphasizing’ of Hell”? Four short answers come to mind. I will briefly (and I mean it) explain each of my findings.
First we see a changed view of God. By this I mean that on a couple of levels we see ourselves contrasting the revelation of God in the Old Testament with the revelation of God in the New Testament and we say that they are drastically different. We see one in the Old as being harsh, cruel, brutal and uncomprimisizing in regards to the seemingly petty crimes, while in the new we see Jesus telling us that “…for God so loved the world that He gave…” (John 3:16), and as a disciple of Jesus - Peter writes, “…he (God) does not want any to perish, but everyone to come to repentance…” (2 Peter 3:9b) and many other scripture verses tell us of the mercy and love and forgiveness of God. Some would look at this and say that for God to willing send those who reject him to hell for eternity would be too cruel or vindictive for a loving God.
Second we see a changed view of the Justice of God. A cursory reading of the first three chapters of the book of Romans would reveal for us a very dark, bleak and hopeless picture for mankind. What hope do we have when we stand before a Holy and Righteous and Omnipotent Deity who demands perfection? Who demands Holiness? (1 Peter 1:13-16). What happens to the standard of holiness that God requires when we choose to ignore his words in the Bible? When we essentially choose our way over his way (for that is what sin is – choosing our way of doing things rather than choosing God’s way.) What happens to the standard of holiness when we sin? If there is no penalty for our sins then why would Jesus have to die on the cross for us? Why would Jesus have to pay our debt for sin?
Thirdly, we see a changed view on personal responsibility for wrong doing. Go ahead and read the newspaper or listen to news radio. Go ahead and read and listen and email me back the moment you hear or read of someone saying that they were wrong and that they will take full responsibility for what they have done. People will come up with every excuse under the sun to avoid taking personal responsibility for wrong decisions, wrong actions even for saying the wrong thing. The blame will be passed onto someone else, anybody else that may have had any influence on that person at all. Biological, Genetic, behavioral or subconscious influences are to blame – not the individual. Somehow, “It’s not my fault” should be incorporated into the national anthem.
Fourth, we see a changed concept of salvation. What are you saved for? What are you saved from? To whom are you saved? To what are you saved? From what are you saved? From whom are you saved? The pendulum has swung very far indeed from the original reasons that are listed in the book of Acts regarding the questions and answers of being saved. I see a pattern of people moving from a complete view and understanding about salvation to an inadequate view that cannot address the tougher issues regarding our faith in Jesus Christ. And I estimate that the shift comes directly from cultural pressure and environment. And maybe perhaps from our own churches that would abandon this doctrine only to run arms wide open into the micro-culture that surrounds them.
There is so much more to write but I feel that people will stop coming to read if these articles are too long to read. But I feel that this doctrine is too important to the gospel to see it disappear and fade away into the church closet (along with the choir robes, old pews, and overhead projector). To end let me quote the book that I am reading, “…the temptation to revise the doctrine of hell is understandable. But it is also a major test of evangelical conviction…” – to this I add that we need to say “I will not be shaken”.
Sola Fide / Sola Gratis / Sola Scriptura
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2 comments:
I think you missed the most logical reason why we don't talk about hell. -Outside of what is written in the Bible it is all speculation. Back in the days of "Fire and Brimstone" preaching preachers created sermons out of speculation. It is true that we now talk less about hell, but is appropriate to make doctrine beyond what is based in the Bible. There are a few topics that people like to go beyond the scriptures and make doctrine out of non existant theology. An example is the many end times theology. Pre, Post, Pan and any other tribulation theology has a basis in Revelation, but it goes beyond what is scriptural. From my point of view I see absolutly no purpose in creating doctrine there there is non to be found.
Where the Bible speaks, I speak. Where the Bible is silent, I'm silent.
Well, I will just say that if there is no Hell, why did Jesus die? If there is no Hell, what does God do with evil? If we are only saved from the wrath of God, then did Jesus need to die? Couldn't God have just said that he didn't want to punish anyone? He is God; He can do whatever He wants. But what is God's character? Whether we believe that there is a Hell or that there isn't a Hell, does that not reflect on what we think the character of God is? He can't be a God of justice without punishment. He can't be holy if nothing is unclean. He can't be a savior if we have nothing to be saved from. I would love to hear someone explain to me the death and resurrection of Jesus without belief in Hell.
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