Light-work

Why Get Stressed If Hell Has a Thermostat?

In yesterday's post, we noted that Hell can be understood as a realm of existence wholly apart from God. This observation is grounded in 2 Thessalonians 1:9: "These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power" (NASB). This description of a decidedly negative after-life experience should be associated with a range of other terms and expressions. Here is a NT sampler:

1. Gehenna: “Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28).
2. Hades: “And you, Capernaum, will not be exalted to heaven, will you? You will be brought down to Hades” (Luke 10:15)!
3. Outer darkness: "But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 8:12).
4. Eternal Fire: “Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels'”(Matthew 25:41).
5. Lake of fire and second death: “But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death”(Revelation 21:8).

While it is possible that "Hades" may, in a context like Luke 10:15, simply be a synonym for "death," the other terms are unmistakably descriptive of "life AFTER death" for those with abysmal prospects. Taken together, the composite picture these descriptions present is beyond sobering. When a man prefers life wholly apart from God, he is choosing to exist in a place completely devoid of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, or self restraint. Here is a realm shrouded in utter darkness. Despite some men's boasts, they will not be with their friends, because friendship will cease to exist. A man will live without purpose and without rest since these only come from God. Every good thing comes from God so there will be NO GOOD THING in a place that has cast off all associations with Him.

True enough, hell may have a thermostat. In Matthew 11:24, Jesus declares, “Nevertheless I say to you that it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for you [Capernaum].” But this suggestion that some parts of hell may be worse than others must not diminish our apprehension that every level of hell will be pure hell!

As Paul considers the lostness of his countrymen, he confesses great sorrow and unceasing anguish of heart (Romans 9:2). God feels the same way, declaring, "I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked" (Ezekiel 33:11). Jesus weeps as He crests the eastern ascent of the Mount of Olives and considers the city of Jerusalem, bathed in morning light but slipping into darkness: "How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not" (Matt. 23:38)!  

It can be beneficial to stare into the flames. Get a good look at what a life wholly apart from God looks like. Allow the view to sober you, to unsettle you, perhaps even to disturb you. Then speak up about what you see to anyone who is deluded enough to find life without God attractive.

For Christians Pleading the Fifth

It was quite entertaining a few days ago to watch the White House Party Crashers "plead the fifth" (a lot!) during their testimony before the House. I have been tempted to do likewise when a critic suggests, "So, you think I'm going to hell if I don't believe in Jesus, right?" For Christians who take John 14:6 seriously, answering such a question seems a choice between betraying Jesus and incriminating oneself as a bigot. Reminds me of the question, "Have you stopped beating your wife yet?" There's no good answer. Or is there?

The critic's inquiry uses some terms that need to be defined: What is meant by "hell?" And, what does "believe in Jesus" mean? Is believing in Jesus a binary condition, you either do or you don't? Or is it a variable that must pass a certain threshold before it "saves?" Both thieves believed that Jesus was a real person and that he was crucified, but only one thief was promised entrance into Paradise. In their case, only one had a faith that rose to the level of saving faith. So when someone wants me to respond to his accusation, "You think I'm going to hell because I don't believe in Jesus," it's perfectly appropriate to ask, "What do you mean by 'hell' and 'believe in Jesus'?"

Note that the critic has not asked a simple question. He is asking me to affirm a logical construct. Here is the critic's logic: "A" - I do not believe in Jesus; "B" - I am going to Hell; and "A" is the cause of "B." In which case, it is entirely reasonable for me to remind my critic that I must examine all three elements in order to affirm what "I think" is true.

I would start with the first one by posing, "What do you believe (and not believe) about Jesus, and why? Have you always believed this or is this something you have recently come to?"

Isn't this nifty! You can use the critic's cold water question to open a lively discussion. If the critic gets all cranky and says, "Just answer my question," you can respond, "That's exactly what I'm trying to do, beginning with statement A!"

There is more, something implicit, in the critic's question. His inquiry has been phrased in a way that rings of threat language. God is depicted as the petulant despot who dispatches any detractor, who consigns good folks to a cosmic dungeon for daring to entertain an independent thought. If this is what the critic contends by His question, then the only right response is, "I couldn't disagree with you more!"

I understand "hell" to describe a realm of existence in which everything associated with God has been extracted. I also believe that Jesus gives men what they choose, even when what they want is a life wholly apart from Himself. In this life, God allows men the time to lock in their choice. He takes no pleasure in their foolish direction and is disappointed in their rejection of Himself. However, He shows them both continued patience and kindness to give them a reason to change their minds. But once a man has made his choice, Jesus will give that man what he has requested.

So I would pose these words to my critic: "Your question implies a threat. But if you understand 'hell' to be a term that describes existence wholly apart from God, aren't there some who would consider this a blessing? Don't some individuals think that life would be easier without the God of the Bible? So which are you? Would you consider living wholly apart from God a good thing or a bad thing?"

If my critic thinks living apart from God is bad (a conclusion the Bible would affirm), then I have some Really Good News we can talk about. If he thinks living apart from God sounds like a good idea, then his original question is both confusing and misleading. He is labeling what he desires as a penalty and blaming God for giving him what he wants. Makes me want to ask, "Have you stopped misrepresenting God, yet?"

Too Much Airport!

I have returned from two weeks in India, Singapore, and Bangkok. Getting there involved fifty-eight hours in the air and another twenty-five hours of waiting for airplanes, getting on airplanes, sitting on airplanes, and getting off airplanes. The four other members of the CBC ministry team and I averaged more than forty hours a week at or between airports. So it seemed only fitting to capture the essence of the experience in a suitable shot. I have clocked in enough time, why not look the part of "dedicated" airline employee?

That being said, this was a great trip and a great way to start off 2010. It was encouraging to follow-up on our May, 2009,conference by training fifty Banjara disciple-makers in Hyderabad. We were able to see Aletheia Banjara School in action - breath-taking! We also got a taste of what life is like for CBC missionaries, Doug and Melissa Matthews in Singapore, and Bob and Lori Johnson in Bangkok. I'll tell you more in some upcoming posts.

In the meantime, be assured that my "two-week" hiatus is over, my brain has just about rejoined me in Memphis, and there are plenty of situations where we've got to throw some biblical light on the subject. Any suggestions?