Living life with a Biblical worldview can sometimes be uncomfortable when conversations with certain people reach a point of contention. Such a moment occurred with me the other day when I was asked, very frankly, by a self proclaimed atheist if I believed in a literal hell. My answer apparently enraged her. She considers the notion of hell to be a contrived means of manipulating weak minded people into following a bunch of made up rules so that organized religion can manipulate people to eventually drain them of all their money, intelligence, and free-will. (or something like that) Though it is not a very original argument, I was enjoying the conversation.
She told me that I can only compel others by fear because of the prospect of hell. This brings up an interesting point. Can we effectively preach the gospel without preaching hell?
A couple of points to ponder.
1. Jesus clearly taught on hell.
Matthew 8:11-12, Mark 9:42-48, Luke 16:19-31
2. Since God is omnipresent, hell is the presence of God in His full judgment and wrath.
3. Hell is just because God is just.
4. Hell is ETERNAL.
There is no such thing as just disappearing when we die. Jonathan Edwards said, “Wicked men will hereafter earnestly wish to be turned to nothing and forever cease to be that they may escape the wrath of God.”
When I answered the lady I was talking with I told her that I am compelled to preach BECAUSE I believe there is a literal hell. I told her my favorite part of the preaching is actually the hope of finding Jesus.
We need to preach with a balance. Preaching only hell would promote fear with no hope. Preaching only hope would make people lax because they wouldn't understand what they were being saved from. Luke 19:10 says that Jesus came to seek and save that which was lost. He came to save people from what??? Hell.
Talk about hope, but don't back down from reality. People need the truth even if it is hard to hear.
Wow. :) Amen to that!
Posted by: Kira Miller-Linkous | 09/21/2010 at 04:54 PM
Great post, Pastor Jeff. The idea of being in Hell, yet fully in the presence of God and his judgement is simply chilling. I'm so thankful that Jesus saved me!
Posted by: Cassie | 09/21/2010 at 10:49 PM
I loved that. It's exactly why we do what we do as Christians summed up in a way that is to the point and can be understood.
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