Sin as happenstance, and the seeker-built church
The article's next observation: the pastors rarely spoke as though anyone in the building were on their way to hell; sin came across as neutral happenstance to be corrected. Ben answers with historical context — the first-century church gathered Christians only, while today's blended room mixes believers and seekers — but adds that seeker-built churches bear the weight of their own design: if you sent the mailers and bought the billboard, you owe those visitors the one thing only the church can offer.
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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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.
From No. 263 · Hell, Closed Hands, and Prophecy
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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