Does a Loving God Send People to Hell? – Part 1 3

It would be an understatement to say that within the past few days the topic of hell has received some national media, twitter, and blogosphere coverage thanks to Rob Bell’s forthcoming book Love Wins: A Book about Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived.

Now while I do not think my latest book, Evangelism: A Biblical Response to Today’s Questions will garner such attention–Oprah has not yet selected it as the book of the month (though it was an Amazon best seller in the categories of Science Fiction and Ethnic Studies for a few days–I still can’t figure this out)–I do feel that I need to chime in on the present discussions.  Evangelism was just released and contains a chapter on God, people, and hell, so I thought it would be appropriate to share this with you in light of this week’s media frenzy.

In this post, you will find a excerpt from my chapter, “Does a Loving God Send People to Hell?”  This will give you a good idea of my argument, based on the Scriptures.  However, if you want the full context, you’ll have to check out the book.  I am going to provide you with both the bad news and the good news.

First the bad news:

Hell Is a Real Place

While some scholars have attempted to argue that the soul of someone who is not a follower of Jesus is annihilated after death, the Bible is clear that hell is a real place. Jesus and the apostles had much to say about hell. The Scriptures teach that hell is

* a place of torment (Luke 16:23).

* a place of eternal agony (Revelation 20:10).

* a place of unquenchable fire (Mark 9:43).

* eternal and should be avoided (Matthew 18:8).

* created for Satan and his demons (Matthew 25:41).

* a place where some people will be sent (Matthew 25:41).

* eternal destruction for those who do not know God and obey him (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9).

* for those who do not have their names written in the Book of Life (Revelation 20:15).

* contrasted with the wonderful eternal life provided by the Lord (Matthew 25:46).

We Are All Hell-Bent Sinners

What does the Bible teach about human nature apart from God’s grace? Simply put, you and I and everyone since Adam and Eve are born walking the path to hell and do not have Jesus on our radar screens. We do not know how to buy a stairway to heaven. Paul wrote, “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one,” and “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:10-12, 23).

So, what does this mean? Because of our sin nature, we have failed to live up to the divine standard of perfection. It means that we’re all separated from God; there is nothing good in us to earn God’s forgiveness; we are rebels against a holy God, and going to hell—and this loving and holy God is correct in bringing his judgment against us.

Now, the good news:

God Is Loving and Holy

God is infinitely loving, for he is love (1 John 4:16). He loved the world so much that he gave his one and only son as a sacrifice for the sins of the world (John 3:16). While there are numerous other passages throughout the Bible that address the love of God, the fact that he is all loving must held in light of the fact that he is all holy (Leviticus 19:2; Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8). He is perfect, without sin, total purity. He is so holy that Moses was not able to look at God’s face of glory without being consumed by it—like getting too close to the sun (Exodus 33:17-23).

(For other references to God’s holiness see the following: No one is holy like him (1 Samuel 2:2; Revelation 15:4). His name is holy (Psalm 105:3). His word is holy (Psalm 105:42). His temple is holy (Psalm 138:2). He is the Holy One of Israel (Isaiah 30:15). His Spirit is holy (Matthew 1:18). His city is holy (Matthew 4:5). Jesus is the Holy One of God (Mark 1:24). His Law is holy (Romans 7:12).)

Check back tomorrow for, part 2 on more of the good news.