Can a loving God punish people in hell and torment forever? This agonizing question seems to be at the heart of Rob Bell’s reappraisal of the traditional theology of judgment, hell and punishment. Read the quote below:
“Does God punish people for thousands of years with infinite, eternal torment for things they did in their few finite years of life? This doesn’t just raise disturbing questions about God; it raises questions about the beliefs themselves.” [Love Wins, 2011, Kindle, 3%]
What it sounds to me like is that Bell cannot reconcile a loving God with a God of justice. God does indeed punish people for things they did in their few finite years of life. In Matthew’s gospel, for instance, there are many passages about being cast out, judgment of fire, and being punished.
When Jesus sent out his twelve apostles, among many of the instructions he gave, he reminded them…”Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell” [Matthew 10:28].
Does this raise questions about God?
Does this raise questions about fundamental Christian beliefs?
It certainly does!
Reverential fear and awe at the power of Almighty God, along with his inscrutable, sovereign ways are at the heart of this instruction that Jesus gave his disciples. An awareness of the limitations of human ability to get rid of people that do not suit their agenda lies at the heart of this instruction that Jesus gave his disciples.
True to what one has come to expect from Rob Bell, he questions all traditional theology. His approach to judgment leaves me asking more questions about his hermeneutics and biblical theology.
To me, what is more disturbing is that people can ask questions about God that are designed to cast doubt regarding the divine will and purpose. To me, what is more disturbing is that people are willing to jettison traditional beliefs that are fundamental to the Christian.
I totally get the idea that Rob Bell wants to make the Christian message more palatable to the non-Christian. But I think he is going against the grain of Scripture when he is trying to make the Christian message more palatable to the Christian! After all, if Christians do not get the message of eternal punishment, who would?!
More to follow…
In Christian love, Curtis
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