Way Truth Life Apologetics

(original post 7 Sep 2019)

As mentioned in the previous post, this is a 2-part series on the topic of hell. Last time the focus was on descriptions of and purpose for hell’s existence. This will focus on objections many skeptics, atheists, and even some Christians raise about hell.

1. Eternal punishment is nonsensical; those who reject Jesus will cease to exist

This idea is known as annihilationism (or more modern phrasing “conditional immortality”). Basically it is the belief that those who reject Jesus’ gift of salvation, will not face an eternity of torment in hell, rather God will eliminate him / her from existence altogether after the final judgment (Matt 25:41, Rev 21:8). The view (in some cases) hinges on the idea that God would be immoral in some way if He allowed eternal suffering; it would question His goodness.

Some answers to this objection: A) God is the standard of morality and justice. Those who reject Jesus’ sacrifice for their sins will face God (Jesus) as a judge and try to answer for themselves. We are not able to atone for our sins so the outcome is obvious—rejection of God has eternal application. B) mankind is made in the image and likeness of God (which no other creature can claim). As such, God gave man an immortal soul which exists eternally and He would no sooner completely eliminate a soul than He would eliminate part of Himself. C) Scripturally, we see the rich man in Luke 16:19-31 is in torment after he died; he is separated from God, conscious, and still existing as he endures God’s wrath which is meted out justly.

2. People could be rehabilitated / reformed for heaven if hell were like prison on earth

Seems logical enough as this is why we established prisons; to remove criminal / rebellious elements from society and culture with the possibility of some being able to reenter the population after serving time for their crime(s). What we forget in this regard is humans are mortal (physically) and constrained by the dimension of time. God is spirit in essence and eternal (not constrained by time). To make an analogy of hell being like a prison, we need to understand that hell is a spiritual place outside of time; it is eternal and those sent there will be there eternally. God has provided a place for people to rehabilitate. That is what LIFE is for. We are born in sin, separated from God, and hell is our default future for eternity. Jesus made the payment we never could in order to restore us to God. These years we have on earth in a physical body is our rehabilitation time to get right with God OR not.

3. God can’t be merciful and have created hell, it would be contrary to such a nature

This challenges the nature of God’s love: “how can God be loving if He sends / allows people to go to hell?” Some may argue that we have mercy in our justice system so why can’t God? Again, we’re trying to equate temporal existence with eternal existence. Additionally, our ideas and understanding of justice and mercy are rooted in the very nature of God. Hell’s initial creation was for satan and those he convinced to follow him who were thrown out of heaven. It was not intended for man to be in hell. Adam and Eve’s sin in the Garden of Eden broke the relationship man had with God and brought a similar separation. Similar but not the same because God’s plan of salvation through Jesus is for man; Jesus did not die to redeem satan or his followers. In Jesus, we see God’s ultimate display of mercy. We sin against God and deserve hell. John 3:16 states that God loves us so much, He gave Jesus as a sacrifice for us to create THE way to be restored to Him. Jesus bore the punishment we deserve. He took on God’s wrath so we wouldn’t have to. That is mercy!

4. Hell isn’t real, it is a fabrication of the church to scare and control people

This claim is wrought with problems. 1) the church didn’t exist until Jesus’ commission to His Apostles in approx. 33 A.D., yet hell is spoken of in the Old Testament which covers the span of history from Creation to 400 B.C. 2) God speaks about hell all throughout the Bible. Many of Jesus’ teachings were about hell. If hell doesn’t exist, logically the claim is that God is a liar. God cannot be good, just, righteous, and truth IF He can lie. If that were possible, we have no reason to believe anything! 3) the one making such a claim implies that he / she has uncovered a deception God has pulled. So, a finite mind would have discovered and revealed a flaw perpetrated by an infinite mind? Not likely at all. It seems more to the point that the master of lies (the devil) put such an idea out to confuse those who would be susceptible to this kind of misdirection.

This is by no means an all-inclusive address of the numerous objections to hell. I sought to address some of the more popular ideas which have come up in readings and interactions with people. The previous blog gave evidences for the existence of hell. Many of the objections against hell stem from a denial of hell’s existence. When hell is logically proven to exist, such objections no longer hold sway. What’s left is some nuanced debate about how hell operates (eternal vs conditional immortality, etc.).

The topic of hell is not a fun or exciting topic in the least. It is a sad, scary, and unnecessary reality that many will face. Sad because Christians know friends, family members, role models, etc. who will face hell as their eternity. Scary because nothing in the Bible speaks positive about what hell is like or what it will be like for those who go there. Unnecessary because God sent His Son to pay the price for us; no one is beyond saving. What it boils down to is that people end up in hell not because God didn’t choose them, rather they chose to live life without God, not wanting anything to do with Him, and He honors that decision eternally. If a person dies in their sin, without the sacrifice of Jesus to cover their condition, it’s too late for them to choose.

This life is our opportunity to make that choice! If you’re reading this and unsure of your eternal future, please reach out to someone. Find a Christian friend / family member, talk to a pastor, comment or message me on this page. Penn of Penn & Teller is a devout atheist. He was once approached by a Christian who offered him a Bible. Another atheist who was with Penn at the time stated how he wished people would stop doing that, forcing their beliefs on others. Penn rebuked him by saying, “If you believe that there’s a heaven and those who reject God are facing hell, how much do you have to hate a person not to tell them about that?” (paraphrased). God loves each of you who read this post and Jesus laid down His life to show you that love and offer restoration to God. Please don’t let this short time we have on earth slip away.

~In Christ!