An earlier Gallup Poll found that 77 percent of Americans were optimistic about making it to heaven. Very few saw themselves as headed to hell. A 2008 survey administered by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life found that just 59 percent of the respondents said they believe in a hell “where people who have led bad lives, and die without being sorry, are eternally punished.” Skepticism about hell is growing even in evangelical and conservative churches.
American optimism and tolerance for diversity complements a growing view of God as being benevolent and not judgmental. There is currently a movement toward “universalism.” Universalism is the general belief that all will be saved, regardless of religious beliefs.
Biblical Christianity differs from all religions in that Christians believe our eternal status depends on our relationship with Jesus. We really believe that “God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). We affirm the biblical teaching that the only way to the Father is through Jesus (John 14:6) and there is no other name by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12). The Bible is clear that there will one day be a bodily resurrection for everyone to either eternal life with God or eternal condemnation apart from Him in hell (John 5:28-29).
A day is coming when God will judge the living and the dead through the Son (Acts 17:31) and the “sheep” will be separated from the “goats” (Matthew 25:31-33). The “goats” will hear, “Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41). Although hell is prepared for the devil and his angels, humans who do not undergo the “birth from above” (John 3:3, 5; Acts 2:38) and obey Jesus (Hebrews 5:9) will experience the same eternal consequences as the devil.
It is a horrible mistake to soften or dismiss the Bible’s teaching on hell. Hell is real and terrible. It is eternal. There is no possibility of amnesty or reprieve. It is described as unquenchable fire (Matthew 3:12, 9:43), darkness (Jude 13), punishment (Matthew 25:46), torment (Revelation 14:11; 20:10), exclusion for God’s presence (2 Thessalonians 1:9), restlessness (Revelation 14:11), and the place of never-ending weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 8:12; 13:42, 50; 22:13; 24:51; 25:30).
People go to hell because they rebel against their maker. Sin creates a separation between a person and God (Isaiah 59:1-2). The person moves away from God. In other words, individuals have no one to blame but themselves if they are eternally condemned. Could it be that the current depiction that God is not angry at sin and that sin has no eternal consequences has led people to abandon biblical Christianity? Could be that misunderstanding God’s obligation to “dispense grace” is causing people to look for God in all the wrong places?
The Olympia church of Christ is hosting a “Lookin’ For God In All The Wrong Places” seminar with Gregg Strawn from Corvallis, Ore., Oct. 7-9. The seminar is free and will point out how to correctly seek after our creator.
Dr. Mark Johnson is the preacher for the Olympia Church of Christ, 3132 Boulevard Road S.E., Olympia, WA 98501. The church can be reached at 360-357-8304.
Perspective is coordinated by Interfaith Works in cooperation with The Olympian. The views expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily endorsed by Interfaith Works or The Olympian.
