By Dix Winston*
Speaking to journalist and friend, Eugenio Scafari, the Pope reportedly said of those dying without Christ (or according to Roman Catholic Theology in a state of mortal sin): “They are not punished. Those who repent obtain God’s forgiveness and take their place among the ranks of those who contemplate him, but those who do not repent and cannot be forgiven disappear. A hell doesn’t exist, the disappearance of sinning souls exists.”
Understandably Hell is a horrible fate. But there are 1five good reasons to believe in Hell.
First, Hell is taught in the Bible. Paul said, “For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power” (2 Thess 1:6-9).
Second, justice demands a Hell. If there is no Hell, some people get away with murder (even millions of them) never appearing before the Bar of God. There must be some accounting for evil done. If there is no Hell, neither Hitler, Stalin nor Mao were brought to justice. If there is no Hell, then we live in an unjust universe. Doing the crime and not paying the time is not justice! Either one accepts Christ’s payment or you suffer the consequences. But skipping on the bill is not an option in a just universe.
Third, God’s love demands a Hell. Forced love is not love—it is something else. God is a loving God, (1 John 4:16). Love, even God’s love, is sometimes unrequited. Contrary to Calvinism, He does not force Himself on us. C. S Lewis, notes, “the Irresistible and the Indisputable are the two weapons which the very nature of his scheme forbids him to use. Merely to override a human will…would be for Him useless. He cannot ravish. He can only woo” (C. S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters, p. 38).
Hell is one of the most loving things God does. He invites all to His heaven, but will not force them into it.
Fourth, human dignity demands Hell. Matthew 23:37 is a tragic verse, “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling” (Matthew 23:37). Again, contrary to Calvinism, there is a choice. Dr. Geisler points out, “God cannot force free creatures to be reformed. Force reformation is worse than punishment; it is cruel and inhuman. At least punishment respects the freedom and dignity of the person” (Dr Norman Geisler, Baker Encyclopedia of Apologetics, p. 311). Hell honors human dignity by allowing those in it a damned decision.
Fifth, God’s sovereignty demands Hell. There are only two places that are eternal, one is heaven and the other is the Lake of Fire. God will not allow evil to pollute His heaven so he sequesters it in Hell.
Thank God for Hell!
1 I am grateful to Dr. Norman Geisler who first taught me these reasons during my D.Min program at Southern Evangelical Seminary.
*Dr. Dix Winston is a guest blogger. He is pastor of Crosspoint Community Church, in Centennial, CO.
Bradford Eilts Jr.
I do not usually disagree with anyone from GES but I do disagree with this blog article on hell… I spent most of my life fearing hell and being afraid of dying, going to the alter every single alter call… I don’t think this article should have been written.. I think alot of people are going to find it offensive especially if they have struggled with fear of hell.. That’s all.. I’m not trying to condemn the author.. I’m just stating my reaction.. Thank you!! GES for all you do, the articles you put out. The videos and the audio have been a real blessing.. The books that you print, I don’t want to put down!! I’m so richly blessed knowing the truth that your website puts out!! Trillions of thanks!!!!!!! Brad
Alvin
“to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.”
Obeying the gospel is broader than believing Him for everlasting life. In Romans 10:16 the deliverance in that context is from temporal wrath. And it took more than just believing in the heart but they must also call on a risen Lord Jesus for temporal deliverance.
They neither believed the message of Christ in the heart nor confessed the Lord Jesus with the mouth.
Everlasting destruction is based on only not believing Jesus is the Christ. Mark 16:15-16 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; BUT HE WHO DOES NOT BELIEVE WILL BE COMDEMNED. (see John 3:18)
Alvin
Hi Brad, I know what your saying Hell is very frightening. But, you could look at from this perspective, it may have been what drove you to finding the truth. I find that preaching it gives an urgency, for the person doesn’t know if they have another breath or chance? Hell is what made an urgency for me….thank the Lord~!
Bradford Eilts Jr.
Hello I want to apologize to the author of this article.. I didn’t think it through enough before I put what I put about your article on hell.. I talked to a friend about it and now I understand the article and am in agreement of it.. Sorry again for the criticism.. Also thank you Alvin for your message.. God bless you and GES!!
EternallySaved
First of all, we need more preaching on Hell, not less. Second, to those who say preaching the Biblical reality of eternal concious torment in Hellfire is offensive is an attack on the Lord Jesus Christ and all of His words. Jesus Himself told us to preach Hell as well as salvation by His grace. Jesus Christ God the Son preached eternal torment in Hell for those who reject His gift of everlasting life by faith alone in Him alone and we should also preach this!
John W Reed
EternallySaved, I agree that we shouldn’t allow progressivism or post modern culture change the Scriptures to placate a sinful culture. Just be aware as to how we preach Hell. Are our hands open for all to come receive His free Grace or our hands closed, clinching to stones ready and willing to throw at a lost World? Are our fingers pointing to Jesus the cure for sin or our finger pointing at the lost in stern disapproval and condemnation?
Just saying there is a better way to preach the truth in love without any compromise. blessings.