I have no intention of refuting, agreeing, or debating anyone else's concept or context of hell. I offer three, and I feel very important, theological tenets we should carefully consider in our walk as disciples of Christ.
1. That at some point God will endow man with the full knowledge of His purpose and full understanding of our existences.
2. Regardless of what form a separation from God will take, that at some point God will separate mankind into two camps: those that will dwell with Him eternally (will not be separated from Him); and those that will be separated from Him eternally . Further, based on tenet #1, that separation will create an agony beyond bearing.
3. We should have no fear of this separation. That's right. We should have no fear of this separation! I love what Thomas Merton had to say about this issue.
My opinion is that it is a very extraordinary thing for anyone to be upset by such a topic. Why should anyone be shattered by the thought of hell? It is not compulsory for anyone to go there. Those who do, do so by their own choice, and against the will of God, and they can only get into hell by defying and resisting all the work of Providence and grace. It is their own will that takes them there, not God’s. In damning them He is only ratifying their own decision—a decision which He has left entirely to their own choice. Nor will He ever hold our weakness alone responsible for our damnation. Our weakness should not terrify us: it is the source of our strength. Power is made perfect in infirmity, and our very helplessness is all the more potent a claim on that Divine Mercy Who calls to Himself the poor, the little ones, the heavily burdened. [1]
We do not need to be so concerned about the form of our separation of God. Our focus should be solely on Christ--The Way to a loving and permanent relationship with our Father. We freely and wholly have been provided an opportunity to know God and be with Him. The agent for this relationship is the Holy Spirit.
We should focus on the union not the separation. And as JMG has posted, the time is now. Run to the Father, now. Do not waste time out of the relationship. Invest time in the relationship.
[1] Merton, Thomas. The Seven Story Mountain. Harvest Book Fiftieth Anniversary Ed., Harcourt Brace & Company 1999. ISBN 0-15-601086-0.
Gethsemani Homilies by Matthew Kelty, O.C.S.O.
5 comments:
"Those who do, do so by their own choice, and against the will of God, and they can only get into hell by defying and resisting all the work of Providence and grace."
"We freely and wholly have been provided an opportunity to know God and be with Him."
What about those whom have never been exposed to this? Are the millions of people who have died without even knowing a man named Jesus existed just SOL?
I know most of the answers that explain away that dilemma:
#1 "God can do anything. We can only trust that his neverending love will result in SOMETHING for those people."
#2 "They will get an opportunity to respond to the gospel sometime after death but before the final judgment since they didn't get a chance to hear it or get a Bible in their hands. Isn't there some passage that God wrote about this somewhere?"
#3 "Don't you know that the gospel can be understood just by looking at nature? It says so in Romans or Colossians or somewhere. We have within every one of us the innate understanding that there's someone out there who wants us to live with him forever. All we have to do is follow our instincts and we'll find him."
#4 "We just don't know. All we can do is respond to the message that we've heard and let God worry about those other people."
#5 "There are only a predetermined number of people getting in anyway. Unfortunately, the first guy messed up and made it kind of difficult for the rest of us. God had no choice in the matter. There was just so much he could do. What - do want him to just let us all in - that wouldn't be fair now, would it? He sent his own son to die for us - what more do you want him to do?"
Sorry that these are getting more sarcastic. I could go on with 10 or so more, but I hope I have presented the problem with our way of viewing eternity, the afterlife, heaven/hell, etc.
Brent
Brent,
First, you missed my point and at the same time illuminated it. You are focusing on hell. We should focus on the positive, on our relationship with God. Merton was saying the same thing. You are not going to be separated from God unless you work very hard at it or flat out reject His efforts. It won't be by accident, or fate, or bad luck.
Second, I did not present a view of eternity, heaven or hell, so I don't know how you can know "our" view or whether my view is "our" view.
Third, I address your question with I Cor. 5:12. But if you have a problem with the Bible, then I don't know how it will help and it resembles #4 on your list, which you have implied you don't accept.
Fourth, you're just saying the same things you always say. And no one's response seems to help or answer your questions. I am incompetent to help, but I have been open to your posts. I am concerned that your purpose is not to ask truth seeking questions, but to try to entrap or least frustrate those you disagree with. I am beginning to see parallels with the Pharisees and Jesus. The problem is I am not Jesus, nor intelligent enough to argue all these points with you, so I won't take the bait.
Well, maybe I just did take the bait. Your just smarter than I am Brent.
Tony
Tony,
You're right - I missed the point. Sorry.
I guess the "we" I was referring to was Christianity, in general. My comment was admittingly too generalized.
I guess my statements are usually slanted in the same direction due to my experiences with Christanity over the course of the last five years or so. The apologetic approach to faith that I grew up with has fallen apart, with little left intact. I poke at the assumptions and foundations of Christianity, hoping to find another expression of it that isn't so dogmatic, judgmental, close-minded and one-dimensional - a new paradigm, if you will.
I know that I come across arrogant and hostile. I continue to post only because it seems that there are those here that seem to have backgrounds that are similar to my own. I don't intend to present myself as a know-it-all. It is just that I read a TON of stuff and am affected deeply by it. I have read a recommendation of yours, "Mere Discipleship," and enjoyed reading the perspective of the author. I wish I wasn't able to read so much - maybe I wouldn't come to so many wild conclusions.
Brent
I wish I could read that fast and that much. I just can't keep up any more between family, church, and work. I envy your ability to get so much reading done.
Please bear this in mind as you: " poke at the assumptions and foundations of Christianity, hoping to find another expression of it that isn't so dogmatic, judgmental, close-minded and one-dimensional - a new paradigm, if you will;" beware that you don't exercise this exact paradigm as you deal with your former brothers and sisters who have not changed their faith.
I have to police this constantly with myself. As I have thrown off the chains of a more legalistic, conservative doctrine, I catch myself being as judgemental as ever. I just shifted my focus from non-believers to my more conservative brethern. I realize I have modified my philosphy, but not really my nature. And that is not maturation or spiritual growth or enlightment. It is just changing flavors. Christ gave us a mechanism to change our nature, not just our thoughts.
I guess our discussions are beneficial after all.
Tony
Hi Tony,
I answered your questions today on my blog.
Blessings,
Spunky
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