What is hell? Well, the website from which I got that graphic claims there is no hell. My good friend, Edward Fudge, is often misquoted as saying there is no hell. In fact, he says he "does believe in hell, and it's a lot hotter than most people think!"

I'll be honest. I believe there is a hell, but what is it? Who goes there? Why is it even there? Is it a physical place? Is it only in the spiritual dimension? Most importantly, will I go there?

Edward has written two books on the subject, one a solo project titled "The Fire that Consumes". The title alone tells his views on the subject. He believes souls will be consumed - annihilated - in the fire. In other words, Buddhists will attain Nirvana their first go 'round! :whistle:

I don't know if he's right. Of all the people I've personally met, he's the most vocal on the subject, and he has studied. So, I quote his stuff quite a bit. But I can't say for a fact that he's correct. Hell is one of those subjects even the most educated scholars cannot agree.

So, here are my thoughts. Take 'em or leave 'em. But discuss 'em.

Hell is:

• real. (Matthew 5, Matthew 10:28, Matthew 18:9 and Mark 9, Matthew 23, many more)
• real hot. (Matthew 18:9, Mark 9:43, James 3:6)
• a place designed for evil angels (demons), and the people who follow them. (2 Peter 2:4, all the previous references)

Hell is described in Revelation as the lake of fire (20:14-15) and the second death (20:14). Jesus compared it to the Valley of Hinnon - Jerusalem's garbage dump - where "their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched. Everyone will be salted with fire." (Mark 9:48-49)

Will I go to hell? No, I will not. I have been wash-ed in the bluuuud of Jayusus! (I'm trying to sound like a TV preacher...)

More importantly, will you?

I agree.

Claybro...

Interesting how your "bad" day is followed up by a thread on "ach-ee-double toothpicks"


Any connection?

:lol:

I've heard it said that hell is really just the burning presence of God, as it is experienced by those who perish in sin. The "River of Fire" is an interesting essay which covers the nature of hell, as well as explaining the orthodox view of the atonement of Christ--that He dies as a sacrifice to defeat death, not pay off God so He will forgive us.

Here's an excerpt about hell:


"God is a loving fire, and He is a loving fire for all: good or bad. There is, however, a great difference in the way people receive this loving fire of God. Saint Basil says that "the sword of fire was placed at the gate of paradise to guard the approach to the tree of life; it was terrible and burning toward infidels, but kindly accessible toward the faithful, bringing to them the light of day." 44 The same loving fire brings the day to those who respond to love with love, and burns those who respond to love with hatred.

Paradise and hell are one and the same River of God, a loving fire which embraces and covers all with the same beneficial will, without any difference or discrimination. The same vivifying water is life eternal for the faithful and death eternal for the infidels; for the first it is their element of life, for the second it is the instrument of their eternal suffocation; paradise for the one is hell for the other. Do not consider this strange. The son who loves his father will feel happy in his father's arms, but if he does not love him, his father's loving embrace will be a torment to him. This also is why when we love the man who hates us, it is likened to pouring lighted coals and hot embers on his head.

"I say," writes Saint Isaac the Syrian, "that those who are suffering in hell, are suffering in being scourged by love.... It is totally false to think that the sinners in hell are deprived of God's love. Love is a child of the knowledge of truth, and is unquestionably given commonly to all. But love's power acts in two ways: it torments sinners, while at the same time it delights those who have lived in accord with it" (Homily 84)."

The full essay can be read here: http://www.orthodoxpress.org/parish/river_of_fire.htm

Basil

Nah - no relation. But I was inspired to make a podcast of it.

Check it out!

That's an interesting concept, Basil. One I've never heard. That hell and Paradise are the same place physically, but the fire that burns sinners welcomes the saints.

Pondering...