Response to Azsuperman - Tough Questions for Christians #5: Purpose of Hell

[TherionNLD]

I never get this explanation that because God is infinite any punishment he deals should be infinite. It's like saying because you were indicted by a judge who is taller or older then you, you should server a longer sentence.

A punishment should fit the crime, not the properties of the one giving it. Or am I sounding completely bonkers?

[TerrenceTheodore]

@TherionNLD its NOT just that God is infinite, its that he's infinitely precious and infinitely worthy and infinitely holy, and infinitely glorious. If you murdered a cop and I murdered a president, I'd get the greater consequence due to the fact that my crime (the SAME CRIME), was done against a person of greater importance. Sins/crimes against God has infinite consequence.

[TherionNLD]

If God would just erase me from existence for not believing in him then my punishment would also be eternal. Torturing people you claim to love for eternity is just insanely cruel and hypocritical.

[TerrenceTheodore]

@TherionNLD Friend, don't assume God's love just because you hear certain truth. Indeed, God IS love, but he loves holiness, purity, righteousness, and wicked sinners who repent and come to his means of provision. I don't think you can make a "God loves everybody equally case" from scripture. The opposite, however, is true. "God 'hates' all those evil doers" (Psa 5:5). Will you continue to spurn his grace? The Bible says "his wrath abides on you."

[TherionNLD]

@TerrenceTheodore Well, explain me this: Where does a Sikh go who lived a good life, believes in God but not in heaven, hell or Jesus? If he goes to hell for not accepting Jesus as his savior then God is unfair and evil. The poor guy was just born in the Sikh religion and was taught that all faiths are paths to God, his whole community believes this and he views this "Jesus" those strange foreigners believe in, in much the same way most Christians view "Mohammed" or "Joseph Smith" or "Krishna".

[TerrenceTheodore]

@TherionNLD what man apart from the Lord Jesus Christ has lived a good life? acording to the God of the bible "there is no one good, not even one." that said, no one accepts Jesus. Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords, we cannot "accept" one such as he. rather, he must accept us. and, he will if we repent & trust in him alone for the forgiveness of our sins (not our supposed goodness or worth). finally, people go 2 hell for their sins, and one of those sins is refusing to bow 2 Christ.

[TherionNLD]

@TerrenceTheodore Then you just proved my point, the Sikh in my example will burn in hell for eternity simply for being unlucky to be born into the Sikh religion & culture instead of some christian home/culture. This makes God an unfair, evil sadistic being.

How do you reconcile this? This thought was what prompted my de-conversion process when I was 15 (I was born into the mormon religion btw).

[TerrenceTheodore]

@TherionNLD All people from all cultures knows that there is a God, as creation is his visible proof of his power. He is the maker of clouds and rain and stars and mountains, and seas. You, as well as everyone else, knows that he exist. Moreover, all people have a conscience which testifies to us that we should seek God, as our conscience convicts us of sin. For example, when you lie, no one has to tell you that you lied - you know. Therefore, when the Sikh chooses to seek 2 find God, he will.

[TherionNLD]

@TerrenceTheodore Nobody KNOWS if God exists (and if He does, which one it is) or it wouldn't be called FAITH. You seem to have a different definition of the word "know" or "knowledge". Also you didn't answer my question. The Sikh already found God in his religion but it's not Jesus or the God of Christianity. For that God will have him tortured in hell for eternity according to your faith. This doesn't sound like a loving God to me. How do you reconcile this?

[TerrenceTheodore]

@TherionNLD Sir, I understand that u may not want 2 accept such axiomatic truth, but I can stand on the testimony of scripture and say without fear that everyone knows God exist. Rather than coming 2 him however, we choose 2do our own thing; whether that be by ignoring him altogether like some moral "atheist" or become religious people, like Sikh practitioners (and all other religions). All that said, who told you God was love? Only ppl who've been 4given say that. Everyone else hates him.

[TherionNLD]

@TerrenceTheodore You're ignoring my question. The Sikh still burns right? Just because was born into a different religion/culture then you were.

[TerrenceTheodore]

@TherionNLD No sir, the Sikh goes to hell for the same reason everyone else who is there goes - namely, the hate God and will not bow to his sovereignty. Will you flee the wrath of God? Will you repent of your sins and beg Jesus to save you that you may escape that awful reality?

[TherionNLD]

@TerrenceTheodore No sir, you misunderstand. The Sikh doesn't hate God, he simply has a different theology then you. Search youtube for "cpd sikh" and watch the first video, that should clarify things for you. Try to look at this question from a different perspective. Not everyone has had the same life experiences that you've had, we're all different.

[TerrenceTheodore]

@TherionNLD Friend, I haven't always been a Xtian. I was one of those guys who taught and thought "all religions are different paths to the same end." I've since learned different, however. By the Grace of God, I am what I am today, a Christian. As Jesus himself said, "I am the way, the Truth, and the Life." And again, "I am the true Shepard, all those who came before me were thieves and robbers." And again the Lord said, "I am He [God], and you will perish in your sins if you do not believe."

[TerrenceTheodore]

@TherionNLD If what I am saying isn't true then I will come under judgement for it, as God does not take lies against him likely. However if what I am saying is true, then God would be speaking through this young boy, and you would be held responsible for what you hear. Therefore, it may be best for you to stop this conversation and come under less judgement.

[TherionNLD]

@TerrenceTheodore Well, now you're "threatening" me with Pascal's Wager while still not answering my question. I guess this conversation isn't going to go anywhere so all I'll say is thanks for the exchange of thoughts and God bless =)

[TerrenceTheodore]

@TherionNLD Likewise!

[TerrenceTheodore]

that's not what i said...i don't think.

[tapesquare]

different degrees of punishment for killing people "of dignity" as opposed to just a random person? wtf? murder is murder is murder. had to stop watching after you said that.

[TerrenceTheodore]

@tapesquare please watch again, as that is not what I said...