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

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TheLearner

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Death is an eternal punishment.




That is false. Revelation 20 says nothing of the sort. That's your interpretation.



Yes. The False Prophet is a distinctly different false prophet from the average false prophet. This individual in close alliance with the Beast (The anti-christ protagonist) in the great tribulation.
Is the false prophet human?

Friend you are begging the question with Death is an eternal punishment because the grammar in matt 25:46 shows it is active punishment ongoing without end. I already posted a Greek Scholar on this.
 

CS1

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Is the false prophet human?
Yes he's a human as far as I can tell.

Revelation 19:20

20And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

Friend you are begging the question with Death is an eternal punishment because the grammar in matt 25:46 shows it is active punishment ongoing without end. I already posted a Greek Scholar on this.
That's where we disagree. I've also explained why it is not active punishment without end. Scriptures must remain consistent. You can't have people with eternal life in hell while also being destroyed or perished.

Jesus teaches this repeatedly:

John 3:16
16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

People perish if they do not believe in Jesus. This is talking about spiritual death.
 

Magenta

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GOD AND TRINITY
  1. Do you affirm or deny that there is only one eternal God in all existence, all time, and in all places?
  2. Do you affirm or deny that the Christian God is the one and only, necessary, Trinitarian Being who consists of three eternal, distinct, and simultaneous persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit?
    1. For more information, see the CARM article, What is the Trinity?
  3. Do you affirm or deny that the Christian God consists of one person who manifested in different forms?
  4. If you deny the Christian Trinity view of God, what view of God do you hold?
  5. Do you affirm or deny that the Trinitarian God, is timeless?
  6. If you affirm that the Trinitarian God is timeless, can you explain what it means for God to be timeless – with Scripture, if possible?
JESUS’ NATURE
  1. Do you affirm or deny that the second person of the Trinity, the Word, became flesh in the single person of Jesus?
  2. Do you affirm or deny that the single person of Jesus, according to Scripture, exhibited attributes of self-awareness, awareness of others, could reason, speak, think, etc., thereby demonstrating the attributes of personhood?
  3. Do you affirm or deny the doctrine of the hypostatic union, which states that the one person of Jesus presently has two distinct and simultaneous natures, the divine and the human?
    1. For more information, see the CARM article What is the hypostatic union?
  4. Do you affirm or deny the doctrine of the communicatio idiomatum, which states that the attributes of both natures of Jesus (human and divine) are ascribed to the single person of Jesus?
    1. For clarification, the coummicatio idiomatum means that the attributes of both natures were attributed to the single person of Christ. Jesus, the single person said, “I am thirsty,” (John 19:28), claiming the attributes of human nature, and, “I am with you always even to the end of the earth,” (Matt. 28:20), claiming attributes of his divine nature. For more information, see the CARM article, Communicatio Idiomatum.
HUMAN NATURE AND DEATH
  1. Do you affirm or deny that a human person is a single unity that cannot be broken into physical and spiritual parts?
  2. Do you affirm or deny physicalism regarding human nature?
    1. By physicalism is meant the idea that the physical brain produces the mind, that the mind is a function of the physical brain.
  3. Do you affirm or deny physicalism regarding human nature so that when the physical brain dies physically, the human soul ceases to exist?
  4. Do you affirm or deny physicalism regarding human nature so that when the physical brain dies, the human mind/soul continues to exist in a state of consciousness?
  5. Do you affirm or deny physicalism regarding human nature so that when the physical brain dies, the human mind/soul continues to exist but in a state of unconsciousness?
  6. Do you affirm or deny mind/body dualism?
    1. By mind-body dualism is meant that the soul is different than the physical brain and that upon the death of the person, the soul continues to exist apart from the death of the physical brain.
  7. Do you affirm or deny soul sleep?
    1. By soul-sleep is meant that the human soul continues to exist after the person’s physical death but is unconscious and inactive.
  8. Do you affirm or deny that upon a person’s physical death, his soul (spirit) returns to God?
  9. Do you affirm or deny that upon death, if the soul (spirit) returns to God, that the human person ceases to exist?
  10. Do you affirm or deny that upon death, if the soul (spirit) returns to God, does that mean the person has lost his personal identity?
  11. Do you affirm or deny that upon death, if the soul (spirit) returns to God, that it means the soul is part of God’s personhood?
  12. Do you affirm or deny that upon death, if the soul (spirit) returns to God, that it means the soul is distinct from God’s personhood?
  13. If your position is that upon the person’s death, only the physical nature, including the soul, ceases to exist, then is it re-created upon his resurrection?
  14. If your position is that upon the person’s death, only the physical nature, including the soul, ceases to exist, and that he is re-created by God, then how is the continuity of the person maintained?
DEATH OF JESUS – WHOLE PERSON
  1. Do you affirm or deny that the phrase “whole person of Jesus” means that in the one person of Jesus are two distinct natures, the divine and human? (This is called the hypostatic union)
  2. Do you affirm or deny that the phrase “whole person of Jesus” means that the attributes of both his divine and human natures were ascribed to, and claimed by, the single person of Jesus? (This is called the Communicatio Idiomatum)
  3. Do you affirm or deny that the whole person of Jesus died on the cross?
  4. Do you affirm or deny that if the whole person of Jesus died on the cross, that it means both his natures died on the cross?
DEATH OF JESUS – HUMAN NATURE ONLY
  1. Do you affirm or deny that only the human nature of Jesus died on the cross?
  2. If only the human nature of Jesus died on the cross, then how is the sacrifice of Jesus of divine value?
  3. Do you affirm or deny that between the death of Jesus and his physical resurrection, his human nature ceased to exist?
  4. Do you affirm or deny that only the human nature of Jesus died on the cross and also ceased to exist, then was it re-created upon his resurrection?
  5. If your position is that upon the death of Jesus, only the human nature ceased to exist, can you please explain how the hypostatic union of Jesus is maintained?
  6. Do you affirm or deny that between the death of Jesus and his physical resurrection, his human nature continued to exist but was in a state of unconscious soul sleep?
  7. Do you affirm or deny that between the death of Jesus and his physical resurrection, his human nature continued to exist and was conscious and active?
DEATH OF JESUS – DIVINE NATURE
  1. Do you affirm or deny that at the death of Jesus, his divine nature ceased to exist?
  2. If you deny that both the divine and human natures ceased to exist in his physical death, then can you please explain what happened to each of Jesus’ natures upon his physical death on the cross?
JUDGMENT AND PUNISHMENT
  1. Do you affirm or deny that an unbeliever ceases to exist after his physical death, and his soul is resurrected to be judged to annihilation?
  2. Do you affirm or deny that when a person dies and ceases to exist, and his soul is later resurrected to be judged to eternal life or extinction, that the continuity of the person is disrupted?
    1. By continuity means the existence of the essence of something continues and is uninterrupted.
  3. Do you affirm or deny that when a person dies and ceases to exist, and his soul is later resurrected to be judged to eternal life or extinction, that the continuity of the person is not disrupted?
  4. Do you affirm or deny that upon the death of an unbeliever, he is automatically and permanently annihilated?
  5. Do you affirm or deny that an unbeliever will undergo a time of conscious punishment that corresponds to his sin before his annihilation?
  6. Do you affirm or deny that the state of non-existence is the final punishment for unbelievers?
  7. Do you affirm or deny that the unbeliever continues to exist in a conscious state after physical death and that he is undergoing punishment during that time?
  8. Do you affirm or deny that an unbeliever, in a state of soul sleep, is not undergoing punishment?
  9. Do you affirm or deny that an unbeliever, in a state of soul sleep, will be awakened,
  10. Do you affirm or deny that the only way a person can be conscious is when he is united with his living, physical body?
ANGELIC REALM
  1. Do you affirm or deny that good angels will continue to exist forever?
  2. Do you affirm or deny that the wicked angels will be annihilated?
  3. Do you affirm or deny that the devil will be judged and condemned to conscious, eternal punishment without end?
There is no life outside of Christ. One must be born again (Jesus said so!). The physical comes
first, and then? The Spiritual. If one has not been born again of the Holy Spirit of God, they pass
into the second death at the end of this age following the resurrection and judgment of all,
because they have willingly, knowingly, and persistently denied knowledge of God, Who ALONE
is immortal.
These things are all quite explicitly stated in Scripture. Many teach contrarily to these things.

You use the word annihilation, but generally speaking, I do not. I prefer to
use Biblical words, such as those given in the multitude of verses I provided.


As a Christian, I have never denied the Deity of Christ.
 

Icedaisey

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Jul 19, 2021
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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.
Christianity was born from Judaism. Though you'll encounter Antisemitism in some churches that deny this. Those are not actual churches of Christ and his word.

Jesus, Emmanuel, Yeshua (Joshua), was a Jew. He was born into an observant family, he taught from the scrolls, bible, in the Temple, and many of his parables were a reflection of those in the Torah.

There is no Hell as Christians know it in Judaism.
Hell was invented by the cult of Zoroastrianism first. Then it was tweaked by the pagan organized sect claiming the teachings of Christ as their own, Roman Catholicism. Also, called the Roman Rite.

Fear is a great persuader.
Which is why the church burned their enemies alive before those gathered in the villages where the church ruled.

A sort of example if you will, of the torture and suffering Hell will bring them for eternity and without ceasing. Unlike that poor screaming one lashed to the pyre.

If they really wanted to terrorize their victim and the witnesses they used green wood. This burns slower and it takes longer for their victim to be consumed.

If it is true God predetermined whom he would save, then he also predetermined whom he would not save. There exist confessions that proclaim that as well.

If Hell is believed to exist then God's trait as Omni-benevolence cannot.

There is an old truth that warns, if you believe in a god that thinks like you do and hates all the same people, you've made a god into your image and likeness.

I've known many a Christian like that.

Trust God is better than what many people need to believe is their god.
Otherwise, who will save you from that one but coming to realize him to be false.

Stay happy and in peace.:D
 
Jan 14, 2021
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Christianity was born from Judaism. Though you'll encounter Antisemitism in some churches that deny this. Those are not actual churches of Christ and his word.
A common misconception. Modern Talmudic Judaism and Christianity are actually cousin religions that forked from a common religious ancestor (the Biblical Abrahamic faith / Biblical Judaism). Talmudic Judaism would like to have you believe that they are the orthodoxy and that they precede Christianity: neither case is true. Christianity is the true Judaism, the true Hebrew religion, the true inheritor of the Abrahamic promise.

Some of the most antisemitic individuals call themselves Jewish and spread much hatred for anyone outside of their Rabbinic order, including towards Jewish Christians.

There is no Hell as Christians know it in Judaism.
In the Talmud, individuals can be punished eternally in boiling excrement (Gittin 57a:4).

Hell was invented by the cult of Zoroastrianism first.
No.

Then it was tweaked by the pagan organized sect claiming the teachings of Christ as their own, Roman Catholicism. Also, called the Roman Rite.
An interpretation of the RCC culture is that different traditions of cultures were assimilated into the church in order to help conversion. Examples like Dagon, Bridget, or Helenist precepts reflect honouring of father and mother but through assimilation their idolatrous nature of the symbols was removed. An idol is nothing in itself. Despite the imagery or origin, the symbols were repurposed to honour God. In some cases this presents the opportunity for idolatry to fester and grow, but that is not the function or intention of those symbols within the RCC. We can call it baggage, but in the right circumstances there is nothing bad about them. Paul warns against partaking of things that might tempt people to idolatry, so if anything RCC is well deserving of that criticism.


Fear is a great persuader. Which is why the church burned their enemies alive before those gathered in the villages where the church ruled.
Witch trials and the death penalty for those accused of blood sacrifices of humans happened. There is a lot of depth to the ethical conversation of Law and Order and how it applies to Christianity. Generally we frown upon that kind of behaviour but burning people alive still happens in parts of the world. Look up Nelson Mendella's wife and the meaning of "Necklacing".

If a church of the past was evil, it certainly wasn't the only evil in the world.


If it is true God predetermined whom he would save, then he also predetermined whom he would not save. There exist confessions that proclaim that as well.
Wheat and tares. Sheep and goats. Those that are incapable of having the love of God in their heart are the ones that are not saved. But one has to wonder, if God can raise stones into heirs of Abraham, can God turn tares into wheat? Or goats into sheep?


If Hell is believed to exist then God's trait as Omni-benevolence cannot.
That depends on the nature of hell and what is meant by omnibenevolence, but what you say is a good conversation piece. The Euthyphro dilemma is relevant to this. Answers may vary.


Stay happy and in peace.:D
I agree with that! Peace and happiness.
 

CS1

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May 23, 2012
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the two biggest lies of the Devil played on man is:

  1. there is no God
  2. there is no hell.
 

Magenta

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Jul 3, 2015
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the two biggest lies of the Devil played on man is:
  1. there is no God
  2. there is no hell.
3. there is no Devil.
1 + 1 = 3? :giggle:

The biggest lie of the devil is still believed to this day:


New International Version
You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman.

New Living Translation
You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman.

English Standard Version
But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die."

Berean Study Bible
You will not surely die,” the serpent told her.

King James Bible
And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:

New King James Version
Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die.

New American Standard Bible
The serpent said to the woman, “You certainly will not die!

NASB 1995
The serpent said to the woman, “You surely will not die!

NASB 1977
And the serpent said to the woman, “You surely shall not die!

Amplified Bible
But the serpent said to the woman, “You certainly will not die!

Christian Standard Bible
“No! You will certainly not die,” the serpent said to the woman.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
No! You will not die,” the serpent said to the woman.”

American Standard Version
And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And the Serpent said to the Woman, “You shall not really die:

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the serpent said to the woman, Ye shall not surely die.

Douay-Rheims Bible
And the serpent said to the woman: No, you shall not die the death.

English Revised Version
And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:

Good News Translation
The snake replied, "That's not true; you will not die.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"You certainly won't die!" the snake told the woman.

International Standard Version
"You certainly will not die!" the Shining One told the woman.

JPS Tanakh 1917
And the serpent said unto the woman: 'Ye shall not surely die;

Literal Standard Version
And the serpent says to the woman, “Dying, you do not die,

NET Bible
The serpent said to the woman, "Surely you will not die,

New Heart English Bible
And the serpent said to the woman, "You won't surely die,

World English Bible
The serpent said to the woman, "You won't surely die,

Young's Literal Translation
And the serpent saith unto the woman, 'Dying, ye do not die,
 

Icedaisey

Well-known member
Jul 19, 2021
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475
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A common misconception. Modern Talmudic Judaism and Christianity are actually cousin religions that forked from a common religious ancestor (the Biblical Abrahamic faith / Biblical Judaism). Talmudic Judaism would like to have you believe that they are the orthodoxy and that they precede Christianity: neither case is true. Christianity is the true Judaism, the true Hebrew religion, the true inheritor of the Abrahamic promise.

Some of the most antisemitic individuals call themselves Jewish and spread much hatred for anyone outside of their Rabbinic order, including towards Jewish Christians.



In the Talmud, individuals can be punished eternally in boiling excrement (Gittin 57a:4).



No.



An interpretation of the RCC culture is that different traditions of cultures were assimilated into the church in order to help conversion. Examples like Dagon, Bridget, or Helenist precepts reflect honouring of father and mother but through assimilation their idolatrous nature of the symbols was removed. An idol is nothing in itself. Despite the imagery or origin, the symbols were repurposed to honour God. In some cases this presents the opportunity for idolatry to fester and grow, but that is not the function or intention of those symbols within the RCC. We can call it baggage, but in the right circumstances there is nothing bad about them. Paul warns against partaking of things that might tempt people to idolatry, so if anything RCC is well deserving of that criticism.




Witch trials and the death penalty for those accused of blood sacrifices of humans happened. There is a lot of depth to the ethical conversation of Law and Order and how it applies to Christianity. Generally we frown upon that kind of behaviour but burning people alive still happens in parts of the world. Look up Nelson Mendella's wife and the meaning of "Necklacing".

If a church of the past was evil, it certainly wasn't the only evil in the world.




Wheat and tares. Sheep and goats. Those that are incapable of having the love of God in their heart are the ones that are not saved. But one has to wonder, if God can raise stones into heirs of Abraham, can God turn tares into wheat? Or goats into sheep?




That depends on the nature of hell and what is meant by omnibenevolence, but what you say is a good conversation piece. The Euthyphro dilemma is relevant to this. Answers may vary.




I agree with that! Peace and happiness.
You support replacement theology?
 

Evmur

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Feb 28, 2021
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If it were God's intention to annihilate the unrepentant sinner why would He resurrect them? why not just leave them dead? They are resurrected and go away into eternal punishment.
 

Tinkerbell725

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Jul 19, 2014
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Philippines Age 40
They are resurrected so that God can put them in their proper place. God will create a new heaven and new earth where sinners don't belong. I don't believe sinners have no spirit. I believe that they don't have the Holy Spirit. What they have is the evil spirit of their father the devil.
 

Magenta

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Jul 3, 2015
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If it were God's intention to annihilate the unrepentant sinner why would He resurrect them?
why not just leave them dead? They are resurrected and go away into eternal punishment.
All are resurrected to face judgment. This is made plain in Scripture.
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
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I believe this is when the wailing and gnashing of teeth happens among the unbelievers (who are called the dead even as resurrected beings), who will surely know what fate awaits them. As Paul said, It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. How long judgment itself takes is anybody's guess. We are told that all is exposed and laid bare. Gosh, for how many people??? Millions? Billions? LOL. Not that this is a laughing matter, no. It could take as we say in our modern vernacular, "forever." Believers have nothing to fear in the judgment, for our sins have already been dealt with, and it is only our works for the Lord which are weighed. I found it odd (and illogical!) that non-believers would complain about being barred from "heaven," as if they thought God should allow them entry into His house when they deny His very existence!
 

Gideon300

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Mar 18, 2021
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Yes, you are correct.

Acceptance of Jesus in your heart repenting your sins and being baptized are prequisites to bring into heaven. You must also live in the nature of love I described as well.

I was coming from the angle of separation from God's love leads to damnation. Rather than acceptance leads to salvation. Your point is of course 100% correct though
Being baptised in water by immersion (if that is what you mean) is NOT a prerequisite for heaven. There is no one on this forum who comes remotely close to John and Charles Wesley spiritually. They were baby sprinklers. God used them mightily. We could do with many more with their zeal, holiness, diligence and willingness to devote all they were and had to the gospel.
 

Gideon300

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Mar 18, 2021
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Well actually the bible talks about a second death. So basically a total distruction of those who rejected Christ. So people who reject him will be nomore
Death now is not the end of existence. So why should the second death be the end of existence? If God wanted to destroy all who reject Christ, why bring them to face judgement? The word makes it clear that there are degrees of punishment for unbelievers. There is little point if all who reject Christ are annihilated. It is a great mystery and no, I am not a universalist. However, God has a plan for the unsaved. They will have to exist for eternity knowing that they rejected Christ. That is punishment enough, I reckon.