A heartless halo? Is God Love? Why Hell?
09:26AM: One of the most unpopular doctrines in all of Christendom is Hell. How can a loving, merciful God allow a place of eternal punishment to exist? There are many theories and there is much conjecture on the subject, I will post some of the more popular ones.
Hell is real
Though God is love, he is also just and pure. He cannot look upon sin. He justly gives us a chance to accept the sacrifice of His Son, Christ. If we do not, due to His holy nature, He has no choice but to punish sin. If He did not, than He would be going against His very nature (just, fair). This theory also presumes all men and women are immortal.
Annihilationism
A minority doctrine that states rather than Hell, sinners are simply destroyed, ie.. annihilated. Therefore, this doctrine believes that only Christians are immortal, whereas lost souls are not immortal.
Another version of this theory holds there is also no Heaven or Hell; no one is eternal and we simply cease to be when we die.
Hell is not real
This doctrine is part of something known as Universalism. In a nutshell, it holds that all people, regardless of religion or belief in Christ are going to heaven. There is no place of eternal punishment for the wicked.
Points to ponder from all sides:
If God is love, why does Hell exist?
If Hell is not real, Why did Christ speak on it more than Heaven?
If we all go to Heaven, why not be wicked? Is there punishment for them?
Currently listening to: Janie Becker- Song of the Angels (Solo Piano - S K Y . F M)
