Hellfire and brimstone has given way to eternal separation from God. - Why?

[Patrick1966]

Did God give Adam and Eve a choice? Was there two trees, or only one?

Sorry for asking. I won't repeat that mistake.

 

[MatthewG]

Thanks. I checked out their site. I didn't see anything there that would intrigue me to engage them further.

Cool.

Sorry for asking. I won't repeat that mistake.

Great.

All the best Patrick.

 

[Patrick1966]

Cool.

Great.

All the best Patrick.

Good luck and take care.

 

[Meditation]

Doesn't the dogma of 'Hellfire' teach that God(s) are/is Sadistic?

 

[St. SteVen]

Doesn't the dogma of 'Hellfire' teach that God(s) are/is Sadistic?

Yes, it's obvious to those who don't buy into the "Hellfire" dogma.
However, those who promote it, claim it is "love and justice" in balance.

But an eternal penalty for a finite crime is FAR from just.
To which they respond, "Who are you to judge God?"
Well, we have a God-given human conscience. So...

Those with a working conscience know that it is not love to incinerate someone.
Especially as a consequence of not receiving a supposed "free gift". What's free about that?
More like extortion. Receive the free gift of eternal life. Or...
if you'd prefer, you will be incinerated. Choose carefully.

 

[Meditation]

Yes, it's obvious to those who don't buy into the "Hellfire" dogma.
However, those who promote it, claim it is "love and justice" in balance.

But an eternal penalty for a finite crime is FAR from just.
To which they respond, "Who are you to judge God?"
Well, we have a God-given human conscience. So...

Those with a working conscience know that it is not love to incinerate someone.
Especially as a consequence of not receiving a supposed "free gift". What's free about that?
More like extortion. Receive the free gift of eternal life. Or...
if you'd prefer, you will be incinerated. Choose carefully.

So, WHAT leads them to believe this!?

 

[St. SteVen]

So, WHAT leads them to believe this!?

That's a great question, thanks.

It's the religious upbringing most of us have been raised with.
And for those who have entered the institutional church later in life.

I knew the concept of heaven and hell at a very early age. As many do.
It is even part of our popular secular culture. Like the pop song, Highway to Hell, by AC/DC.

I consider myself to be a recovering evangelical. What's your story?
Welcome to the forum, BTW. I see that you are new.

@Patrick1966

 

[Meditation]

That's a great question, thanks.

It's the religious upbringing most of us have been raised with.
And for those who have entered the institutional church later in life.

I knew the concept of heaven and hell at a very early age. As many do.
It is even part of our popular secular culture. Like the pop song, Highway to Hell, by AC/DC.

I consider myself to be a recovering evangelical. What's your story?
Welcome to the forum, BTW. I see that you are new.

@Patrick1966

Raised a Catholic, I believed EVERYTHING Churchianity taught- until God's spirit got hold of me!

 

[Meditation]

I believed in Hellfire,& Purgatory.

 

[St. SteVen]

Raised a Catholic, I believed EVERYTHING Churchianity taught- until God's spirit got hold of me!

I'll PM (private message) you to share more info.
Unless you have PMs blocked. (then I can't)

 

[Meditation]

I don't know anything about PM- and why do you want it kept from here?

 

[St. SteVen]

I don't know anything about PM- and why do you want it kept from here?

Your description was brief. Not sure how comfortable you were in sharing more out in the open.
I'm fine either way. But some things are better kept off the forum topics.
So, PMing is good for that.

 

[St. SteVen]

I believed in Hellfire,& Purgatory.

What is your understanding of Christian Universalism?

Are there other subjects you would like to see topics about?
Do you know how to launch a topic of your own?

 

[Meditation]

I have experienced partiality of every sort- pardon my caution!
I consider Churchians and REAL Christians- the one being MANY, the latter few!

 

[St. SteVen]

I have experienced partiality of every sort- pardon my caution!
I consider Churchians and REAL Christians- the one being MANY, the latter few!

Now that's a "hot potato" topic. - LOL
Can you post with oven mitts on?

 

[Meditation]

Now that's a "hot potato" topic. - LOL
Can you post with oven mitts on?

I don't KNOW!
People nowadays are even MORE sensitive than before!

 

[St. SteVen]

I don't KNOW!
People nowadays are even MORE sensitive than before!

I agree.
A subject like defining the difference between "Churchians and REAL Christians" might offend some.
But, as long as you are prepared for some potential backlash, you should be fine.
Name-calling could get you in trouble though.

You seem to have figured out how to use this forum interface pretty quickly.
Perhaps you have been on other forums?

 

[Meditation]

But- what do you call the MANY church-going people who are NOT Christians?

 

[Ronald Nolette]

Over the years I have noticed a shift away from the embarrassment of the hell doctrine.
It had always seemed like the "fly in the ointment" of Christianity to me.
But we had biblical evidence that it was sad, but true.

The solution was evangelism. We are in the business of "saving souls from hell." Err...
I mean "eternal separation from God." (whatever that means to you) ???

This task of world evangelism was completely overwhelming.
We had annual world missions conferences for fund raising.
We were sending and supporting missionaries at home and abroad.

Some were wanting to be good stewards of their giving by
demanding results, or channeling the funds toward "fruitful" ministries.
Which meant withdrawing support from any who seemed to not
measure up to their expectations. Made me wonder.

Here at home we were still expected to spread the good news.
But, an over-evangelized America was less than welcoming.
They hadn't forgotten the "hellfire and brimstone".

What's your take on all of this?



@Patrick1966 @Hillsage @Chadrho @FaithWillDo @Nancy @GRACE ambassador @quietthinker @Lambano

It is not an either/or thing, but a both/and thing.

Teh lake of fire where the lost go for all eternity is a lake burning with fire and brimstone, and it is eternal separation from God. It has become un PC in some churches willing to compromise to speak of judgment and torment and suffering in eternity for the lost.

 

[Patrick1966]

Raised a Catholic, I believed EVERYTHING Churchianity taught- until God's spirit got hold of me!

Welcome. I too was Catholic for my first 50 years. Now I know better and I know that Jesus saves ALL!