There is a new book out that's found its way to the best-seller list. Though heretical in nature, it proves the Scripture that says that in the last days, people "will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears. . ."
The book is Love Wins by Rob Bell. He says there is not a literal hell, only the troubles that we experience here on earth. If that's the case, why do the just suffer as much as the unjust? Doesn't that mean that we all go to hell?
At the heart of Bell's position is that God's love can triumph over every obstacle, including sins that Christians have long believed would consign them to anguish in the afterlife. But that notion of hell is appalling to many people, Bell argues. Appalling it may be, but the truth is the truth, and just because we find it appalling does not make it any less the truth. I find the stink of skunk appalling, too, but the stink is a fact.
Anyway, Bell has completely missed the point. I can agree with him . . . God's love does triumph over every obstacle, including the sin that would consign us to anguish in the afterlife. His triumph is called Jesus Christ. Accept Him and His sacrificial death and resurrection, and the sin debt is paid. But refuse to accept Him, and the consequences are, indeed, appalling.
"Hell book stirs hot debate." The Dallas Morning News; March 28, 2011; p. 4A.
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2 comments:
Why does "god" punish people who have never sinned if he is such a kind and loving god?
There are lots of correct answers to that, but the best one is that you are operating from a false premise. "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." "If any man says he doesn't sin, he is a liar and the truth is not in him."
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