Expert: Phillip Senn - 2/25/2007

Question
thanks for replying but I have recently had a word with some christian friends one said that the holy father john paul 11 stated his belief was that hell was not a literal place of fire but eternal death has being seperated from god and that we should not be afraid of the language in which hell is described in the bible he was a man who had studied scripture all his life. another christian friend said only the physical body can feel physical pain the spiritual body cannot feel physical pain but only mental anguish of not accepting jesus before a person dies. surely god would not send his creations to a torment of external flames and also some good people in life have bad things that happen to them through no fault of their own can you tell me where did you get your evidence of your belief remember the bible was written by humans and at that time the masses of people were told of the horrors of hell to keep them at bay.  no one is really completely sure as to what happens but I would like to think even although I have sinned and asked for repentance that god would not send my loved ones who did not believe to a fiery torture for eternity that sounds like a monster not a loving god.
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The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
hi I am wondering if you could help me in the doctorine of hell should the bible be taken literally is it a place of fire or is this figurative and symbolic language I have a fear of dying and going to hell as I have not been perfect I am really frightened please help
-----Answer-----
Margaret,

Hell is indeed a place of eternal torment for those who die with the guilt of sin. Any sin, no matter how small one thinks it is, is enough to cause someone to be eternally tormented. Since none are completely righteous, all deserve to be tormented forever. That's the bad news.

Jesus Christ came to redeem man from his sins. He paid teh price for man by dying on the cross for our sins. He was buried, and three days later, He was raised from the tomb. It is through this atoning work that man can escape the fires (yes they are real flames) of Hell. He is the only way of having those sins forgiven. All one has to do in order for their sins to be forgiven, is to trust that Christ Jesus took their sins and died for them on the cross. God calls that faith. And when God sees the faith, He counts that to them as righteousness. That's the good news.

As you can see, there is no reason that you MUST be afraid. But if you have not placed your faith in Christ Jesus, you are already condemned, and should be afraid. God will remove the guilt of those sins when you place your trust in Christ.

I hope this has provided you with the information you sought.

With Love In Christ,
Phillip Senn

Answer
Margaret,

Thanks for your follow-up. I hope my response will be an answer that you can share with your friends.

I want to pose a question to help you think about my answer. Should we take the word of our friends, or the words of our Saviour? Or should we take the words of one man (the pope) over our Lord Jesus' words?

Jesus described in Luke 16, 2 different locations. One of them He called Abraham's Bosom, the other He called Hell. "The rich man also died and was buried, and in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he might dip his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame." The rest of the story that Jesus told can be found in Luke chapter 16. Notice that this is not mentioned as a parable, although many that do not believe in a literal hell call it a parable. In none of the "parables" in Scripture is anyone ever mentioned by name. Yet in this passage, Lazarus is specifically mentioned by name. Notice that the rich man is not tormented by separation from God... He is tormented in "this flame". It was tormenting enough to cause him to want his tongue cooled. It was also so tormenting that he didn't want anyone else to suffer as he was suffering.

What is it that causes people to suffer in Hell? It is justice administered by God, who always judges properly. He cannot acquit the guilty (Nahum 1:3). God's righteousness requires that our sins be paid for. Hell was not created for man. It was created for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41). But those that do not have their sins forgiven, at their death they will face certain punishment for their sins. This forgiveness comes only throiugh faith in Jesus Christ. Those that do not believe are already condemned according to Jesus. It would not be fair for some that are guilty to go unpunished while others that are guilty are punished. Why should God punish Satan and his army of demons for their transgeressions, and let man go, who has also sinned against God? It would be totally unfair. So God, willing to show His mercy, sent His Son Jesus Christ to pay the sin debt for mankind. He further offered to ALL an opportunity to be forgiven through faith in Jesus Christ. It is up to man to choose whether he will trust Christ and receive forgiveness and Eternal Life, or choose not to trust Him, and be forever condemned.

You asked where I got my information... From the Bible. You declared, "remember the bible was written by humans and at that time the masses of people were told of the horrors of hell to keep them at bay." I am wondering where you got that information?

The Apostle Paul wrote under God's authority, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." Rather than filling your head with information from unreliable sources, why not trust God. He has offered His Word to you in "the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation" (2 Timothy 3:15).

With Love In Christ,
Phillip Senn