Why do Christians believe in a place of torment called Hell?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

Icedaisey

Well-known member
Jul 19, 2021
1,398
475
83
GotQuestions:
What is Amyraldism / Four-Point Calvinism?

Amyraldism seems to resolve a problem that a belief in limited atonement presents—namely, the difficulty of reconciling Calvinism with passages that teach Christ died for everyone (John 3:16; 2 Peter 3:9; 1 John 2:2). But Amyraldism is not without its own difficulty: if Christ died for all men, then, logically, there are people in hell right now whose sins have been atoned for. Those in hell are not the elect, according to Amyraldism, so did God pass over people for whom Christ died? This is the main theological question facing Amyraldians, who respond by saying God’s salvation (through the unlimited sacrifice of Christ) is offered to everyone equally. But this salvation has a condition: faith. In one sense, God’s grace is universal—He desires all to be saved (2 Peter 3:9)—but, in another sense, His grace is narrowed down and applied (through election) only to those who do not reject salvation.

Amyraldism, or four-point Calvinism, is popular today among many evangelicals, including independent Bible churches, Baptists, and some Presbyterians. Four-point Calvinism is also, essentially, the position of Got Questions Ministries, as we hold the view that the extent of the atonement was unlimited.
 
Mar 4, 2020
8,614
3,679
113
I think you are just repeating some verses that have been answered already. Your interpretation was off the mark last time and it is off this time too.

Greek Scholar:
Verse 9
Who (οιτινες). Qualitative use, such as. Vanishing in papyri though surviving in Paul (1 Corinthians 3:17 (NAS)

17 If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are.
Click link to access powerful study resources in a new window.
Powered by StudyTagger™ from StudyLight.org
" tooltipenable="true" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(200, 83, 53); font-weight: 700; cursor: pointer;">1 Corinthians 3:17; Romans 1:25 (NAS)
25 For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
Click link to access powerful study resources in a new window.
Powered by StudyTagger™ from StudyLight.org
" tooltipenable="true" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(200, 83, 53); font-weight: 700; cursor: pointer;">Romans 1:25; Galatians 4:26 (NAS)
26 But the Jerusalem above is free; she is our mother.
Click link to access powerful study resources in a new window.
Powered by StudyTagger™ from StudyLight.org
" tooltipenable="true" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(200, 83, 53); font-weight: 700; cursor: pointer;">Galatians 4:26; Philippians 4:3 (NAS)
3 Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Click link to access powerful study resources in a new window.
Powered by StudyTagger™ from StudyLight.org
" tooltipenable="true" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(200, 83, 53); font-weight: 700; cursor: pointer;">Philippians 4:3).



Shall suffer punishment (δικην τισουσιν). Future active of old verb τινω, to pay penalty (δικην, right, justice), here only in N.T., but αποτινω once also to repay Philemon 1:19 (NAS)

19 I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand, I will repay it (not to mention to you that you owe to me even your own self as well).
Click link to access powerful study resources in a new window.
Powered by StudyTagger™ from StudyLight.org
" tooltipenable="true" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(200, 83, 53); font-weight: 700; cursor: pointer;">Philemon 1:19. In the papyri δικη is used for a case or process in law. This is the regular phrase in classic writers for paying the penalty.


Eternal destruction (ολεθρον αιωνιον). Accusative case in apposition with δικην (penalty). This phrase does not appear elsewhere in the N.T., but is in IV Macc. 10:15 τον αιωνιον του τυραννου ολεθρον the eternal destruction of the tyrant (Antiochus Epiphanes). Destruction (cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:3 (NAS)

3 While they are saying, "Peace and safety!" then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape.
Click link to access powerful study resources in a new window.
Powered by StudyTagger™ from StudyLight.org
" tooltipenable="true" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(200, 83, 53); font-weight: 700; cursor: pointer;">1 Thessalonians 5:3) does not mean here annihilation, but, as Paul proceeds to show, separation


from the face of the Lord (απο προσωπου του κυριου) and from the

glory of his might (κα απο της δοξης της ισχυος αυτου), an eternity of woe such as befell Antiochus Epiphanes. Αιωνιος in itself only means age-long and papyri and inscriptions give it in the weakened sense of a Caesar's life (Milligan), but Paul means by age-long

the coming age in contrast with

this age , as

eternal as the New Testament knows how to make it. See on Matthew 25:46 (NAS)

46 These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."
Click link to access powerful study resources in a new window.
Powered by StudyTagger™ from StudyLight.org
" tooltipenable="true" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(200, 83, 53); font-weight: 700; cursor: pointer;">Matthew 25:46 for use of αιωνιος both with ζωην, life, and κολασιν, punishment.
Nothing there remotely suggesting the eternal conscious torment that you're promoting.
 

ewq1938

Well-known member
Oct 18, 2018
4,916
1,256
113
angels do not have a body to be seperated from. James 2:26 They are spirits. right?

They can be called spirits but that doesn't mean they are bodiless spirits or ghosts like we tend to think of. Angels have bodies and they look like human men Just read the account of Lot.
 
Oct 26, 2016
94
1
8
49
No, I came to the knowledge of my sin when I was 21 and repented and Got saved 20 years ago. But, I always felt close to God even before that. Even before I ever heard of Jesus I would tell God I was sorry as I child. I was never raised in church and didn't read the bible until I was 21, I'm 43 now. For some reason, I always felt compelled and overwhelmed by my actions and would repent, even before I ever heard of those words. I have always loved God even as a small age. I know the Bible well and know the scriptures very well too, but I don't believe that those who reject Jesus are tormented forever in hell. It doesn't seem to line up with the God I know, despite people's interpretation of what scripture says. I have translated the bible and I believe the idea of torment in hell is an interpretation of what it says in English, not the original language.

I got saved 20 years ago and baptized. I just don't believe that believers are interpreting the scriptures regarding torment in hell accurately. Matthew 10:28 is very clear that God destroys your body and soul. I believe that Gehenna is this action, not a place of torment. I believe God completely destroys your existence and you cease to exist anywhere. I don't believe that this will be painless, just not forever, perpetually like what is taught.
Wow, I love this discussion. There are some information you need to put you through. Firstly, I will like to congratulate you for God loves you.

God designed the human Soul to live forever, He never anticipate there is going to be a day He will destroy mankind. His wishes for humanity are good. But we sinned. Let me tell you little about the implications of our sins.

When Adam and Eve disobeyed God and ate the forbidden fruit of evil, something remarkable happened which a know so many people didn't understand but let me explain that to you now. This will also help some people here.

The fruit of evil they ate gave them the knowledge of evil (mind). Their human body was only meant to be a vessel so that their Soul can manifest physically here on earth. The human flesh when created is without any form of life.

When they ate the forbidden fruit of evil, their human Soul was activated to life. Their flesh was given an evil mind through the forbidden fruit. Now our flesh can communicate with our Soul which wasn't the design of God for us.

Our disobedient to God's commandments had great implications and God is doing all things possible to redeem us. The trouble we get ourselves into is that it is in the knowledge of evil we have pains, sicknesses, sorrow, anger, poverty fear and all manners of horrible things you know is bad.

Funny enough, most people think it is God that caused all these things to happen to humanity just to punish us for our sins of disobeying Him. That is a lie from Satan the devil who caused it in the first place. God gave warnings to Adam and Eve when He planted the fruit and told them the implications.

If you are part of those who thought humanity began to die because God cursed them for disobeying Him then you need to have a rethink. It is in the evil fruit they ate death resides. You see, God never plan any evil for man.

I have you this little tutorials just for you to have an idea of where I'm going. Now I know the question in your mind is why eternal condemnation? An angel of God in heaven got full of himself and being jealous of humanity thought he also deserves a place of Lordship. He knew he have to contend with his creator of achieve that purpose and went ahead to take the risk.

He was armed with the deep misery he had about his creator and was also able to draw third part of God's angles to his side. Smart enough, he went and Insured his life in the love God had for Adam and Eve before going for the dangerous battle. How?

Satan was a good angle serving his purpose but transformed and possessed God's abandoned evil darkness just to achieve his aim. He possessed the evil and made sure Adam and his wife had a part of him before he left for the mission.

He knew it will be impossible for God to destroy him without destroying Adam and Eve together because he had implanted himself in their human flesh through the evil they ate.

He was absolutely right, God couldn't destroy him immediately after the failed in his mission because of us. He now create an opportunity for us to be saved. Since it is through disobedient we enter into evil, our obedience will get us out of it.

He send us over to our earth and gave us commandments to obey but ironically, no one was found worthy of keeping the laws. All Men is to be doomed with Satan but God in His unending mercies, came by Himself to do that which is difficult for Man. He saved us from condemnation and made salvation free.

He paid dearly. I relegated Himself and equal Himself with us, He paid a risky price to save us and in appreciation, we rejected Him and gave Him a horrible death for doing nothing wrong. We even prefer a notorious criminal than Him. Yet He went ahead to save us because He knew when the time comes to destroy the devil, we will also be condemned for he have implanted himself in our flesh.

Now my question to you is this; what do you want God to still do for sinners? The wages of sin is death. Sinners will die not because God choose to let them die but because their choice of obeying the evil mind of the flesh is death.

God had designed the Soul to live forever and the ones that doesn't want to go with God to live eternal life have planned to stay with the devil and be condemned. God cannot leave a sinful Soul in heaven, it is equal to allowing Satan to live with the saints then trouble continues.

Love you all
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
56,264
26,315
113
Rev 1:18 is speaking about Jesus as God. Do you believe that?

6 Bible results for “immortal” from
King James Version.
Results 1-6.
  1. Romans 2:7
    To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
    In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
  2. 1 Corinthians 15:53
    For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
    In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
  3. 1 Corinthians 15:54
    So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
    In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
  4. 1 Timothy 1:17
    Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
    In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
  5. 1 Timothy 6:16
    Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.
    In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
  6. 2 Timothy 1:10
    But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:
living or lasting forever:
immortal God
The priest said he was endangering his immortal soul.
Scripture describes man as mortal. Scripture also makes plain that life is in Jesus Christ alone.

Someone now is saying that those who are dead to Christ are transformed into eternal beings by Satan.

Wherever did this reaching came from??? It is not Biblical.

Also, I believe I have already told you that as a Christian, I have never denied the Deity of Christ.
 

Tinkerbell725

Senior Member
Jul 19, 2014
4,216
1,179
113
Philippines Age 40
where does it say angels can not be destroyed? Why would God need an everlasting fire? Is God now too weak to simply speak the demons out of existence?

Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.
Luke 20:36 KJV

God is not weak He just made spirits and angels that cannot die.
 
Aug 4, 2021
586
185
43
What authority does the devil have? Was he speaking in Matthew 25:46? List your scriptures.
God cast out the devil, and the devil reign in hell. Whatever he does there has nothing to do with God. People have free will and a choice where to go. They can beg to come in, and be taken to heaven, or they get grabbed by the devil. Either you are marked by the holy spirit or demons. If you are marked by a demon, you need help from a priest to come back.

Regarding the difference between sheep and goats, I did not see a verser, but I will take a stab. Sheep are equated to us people, because we are blind and cannot see, we act emotional and dum, stubmle and fall all the time, poor choices made. Sheeps need shepharrds, they fall over, tumble into streams, get caught in mud and branches, all the time. The sheepfarmers lose like 15% of the sheeps when they are at the mountains grazing the 3 summermonths. Not designed for nature at all. While the goat can fend for itself better. Not as dumb and clumsy. I had a sheep in my yard this summer, and it started eating my flowers, I tried to shoo it away, and it charged me. It had two lambs with it. Was that smart of a mother? Plenty of grass to eat, but it just risked the lives of the children because it wanted my flowers instead. And never giving up, we battled for the turf for 2 hours.
 

OneOfHis

Well-known member
Mar 24, 2019
1,430
2,208
113
I have always been close to God my entire life and the God I know does not plan to torment people who reject him for all eternity. I know what is taught and the scriptures that those who teach this use, can you tell me how a wonderful and loving God would torment forever. Putting something bad to sleep forever and out of its misery, like a dog with rabies, is merciful. Please explain without scripture (because I know the verses well) ...explain by your experience and relationship with God what he revealed to you about this. I don't understand, the God I know is not like this. I do believe there is a judgment and evil people who reject him will not have a good end, but not that way.


God is not only merciful, He is just and righteous and decided His plan with an understanding so far beyond ours, to claim what He calls justice anything other than perfect would be pretty silly of a man or woman to do.

Kinda like a little kid who keeps stealing telling his parents what his punishment should be.


I trust God and His inspiried written word and I don't question His righteousness.



My relationship with God is that of a wonderful Father and a slightly thick headed son who constantly needs correction. I love Him so much. (and I know I need Him even more)



I'm so grateful for our Lord and Savior. Some people may not see a need for Him and think His words were just fluff. I take them serious.
 

TheLearner

Well-known member
Jan 14, 2019
7,908
1,457
113
67
Brighton, MI
A body/soul/spirit is either dead or alive. There are no logic errors in the Bible that you're proposing.
It is your poor interpretation. James 2:26 speaks of death as separation of body and spirit-soul. That indicates that the spirit soul is alive after death as does Isaiah 14
 

TheLearner

Well-known member
Jan 14, 2019
7,908
1,457
113
67
Brighton, MI
They can be called spirits but that doesn't mean they are bodiless spirits or ghosts like we tend to think of. Angels have bodies and they look like human men Just read the account of Lot.
Psalm 104:4
Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire:
Hebrews 1:7
And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.
2 Corinthians 11:14
Good News Translation
14 Well, no wonder! Even Satan can disguise himself to look like an angel of light!
Matthew 22:30
For when the dead rise to life, they will be like the angels in heaven and will not marry.


Angels simply take on the appearance of being human.