Time article reason 1: torture is morally wrong
- Why are so many Christians rejecting the traditional view of hell as eternal conscious torment?
Ben reads the first of five reasons from a Time Magazine article arguing Christians are rejecting eternal conscious torment: something in our spirit says torturing people is wrong, so a God who tortures with pleasure would be morally offensive. The hosts push back - nothing in scripture says God takes pleasure in it, and 'how I feel' is no basis for doctrine; one host admits his own morality is 'elastic' and can't be trusted over God's word.
More on Hell
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How much damage can misreading Revelation do?
- How much damage can a strong misinterpretation of the book of Revelation do?
A host poses the episode's hard question: how much damage a strong misinterpretation of Revelation can do.
From No. 409 · Super Sign of the End Times
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Did Jesus spend three days in hell?
- Did Jesus spend three days in hell after his death?
A host raises a theological question after reciting the Apostles' Creed at a visiting church and wondering whether he believes the 'descended into hell' line.
From No. 367 · Sir Billy McAllistair
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Reason 2: the Bible supposedly teaches annihilation, not torment
- Does the Bible teach annihilationism - that the unsaved cease to exist - rather than eternal torment?
The article claims scripture's 'entire testimony' points to the second death - the unsaved simply cease to exist - rather than eternal conscious torment.
From No. 263 · Hell, Closed Hands, and Prophecy
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Reason 3: hell contradicts Jesus' character
- Is the idea of God torturing people contradictory to Jesus' character?
- How do we understand 'weeping and gnashing of teeth' without making Jesus a torturer?
The article argues a loving Jesus who broke taboos to relieve suffering wouldn't preside over torture.
From No. 263 · Hell, Closed Hands, and Prophecy