Hell Fire!

[B®ent]

In Matthew 7:13-14, the Lord Jesus Christ spoke these words:

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

The vast majority of mankind will never find the Lord. Indeed, the majority of mankind will be lost for eternity. This doctrine may be difficult to accept, yet true nonetheless! But where, oh where, I ask, is the warning? I look to our pulpits, but they utter not a word of this place. Why do the vast majority of "pastors" refuse to preach hell fire?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v251/bdw84/Fire.jpg

HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS of souls are going to burn in hell for ever and ever and ever. Is this not important enough to deserve our utmost attention? Why does Joel Osteen, poster boy for Colgate, refuse to preach hell fire?

My friends, Brothers and Sisters, allow me to speak plainly...

We need to cast out these cotton-candy preachers!

We need to finish with them!

[Squeejie]

because noone can say for sure what hell is like. noone can just visit to find out. and most credible speakers can't talk about what they know nothing of.

[B®ent]

because noone can say for sure what hell is like. noone can just visit to find out. and most credible speakers can't talk about what they know nothing of.

CHRIST spoke often of hell. From His preaching, we know that it is a place where the fire is NEVER quenched. We know what sort of person goes there, why they are sent there, and how long they'll be there. It is, according to Christ, a place of perpetual damnation. Even after a billion trillion years, the suffering has only begun!

We know these things because the Bible tells us.

So give us a Preacher with a Bible in his hand, and fire in his belly!! :amen:

[Squeejie]

but Christ spoke in parables and examples, so that the people would have a good idea of what he was talking about. how do we not know that hell is just the eternal absence of God's presence, which to our souls is like a constant burning that will never be quenched? how do we know what any part of any after life is? because we have never been there.
another reason why people aren't partial to it, is the fact that Jesus never focused on the fire and brimstone idea at all. he was about showing people the path to heaven, not try'n to scare them away from hell.
and there are plenty of fire and brimstone preachers. it would help to look in churches that have really small congregations.

[MaidforHim]

I think the time spent preaching about Hell Fire has to balanced with all the other teaching so that those who are saved and needing to learn what it means to be a good Chrisian can learn. Most of the seats in a church are filled with believers who need to be fed and most already know about hell's fire.

As with my church, I've heard my pastor preach about hell, damnation and the second death. However, since our church teaches from the Bible, book by book, chapter by chapter, verse by verse... we only cover hell fire as many times as it comes up in the Bible and according to how quickly we go through the Bible.

I figure that's how God means for us to learn His word and he put the topic of hell in there as many times as he'd like it to be covered in the amount of time it takes you to study the Bible from cover to cover.

However, I have heard pastors who talk like choosing Jesus over hell is more like choosing a picnic on a sunny day verses a rainy day. They aren't doing anyone any favors by sugar coating things.

[MaidforHim]

but Christ spoke in parables and examples, so that the people would have a good idea of what he was talking about. how do we not know that hell is just the eternal absence of God's presence, which to our souls is like a constant burning that will never be quenched? how do we know what any part of any after life is? because we have never been there.
another reason why people aren't partial to it, is the fact that Jesus never focused on the fire and brimstone idea at all. he was about showing people the path to heaven, not try'n to scare them away from hell.
and there are plenty of fire and brimstone preachers. it would help to look in churches that have really small congregations.


I learned in a study one time that if you take note of Jesus' parables you notice a pattern. When He spoke of a figurative situation He didn't use specific names (people, places) When he used real situations as examples He did use specific names. Hell would be a specific name/place and the description of it accurate. Jesus gave us a very good idea of what hell is like.

Real situation, real names, some description of Hell:

Luke 16:19-31 19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. 27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: 28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

No personal names, it is an illustration:

Matthew 13:24-43 24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: 25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. 26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. 27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? 28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? 29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

[TwinCrier]

Hell needs to be preached from the pulpit so that sinners can realize their lost state and come to a saving knowledge of Christ and so we who are saved NEVER forget who we were so we can be a proper witness for the gospel. Many churches do not preach on hell because they do not believe in hell.

[desmalia]

I think the time spent preaching about Hell Fire has to balanced with all the other teaching so that those who are saved and needing to learn what it means to be a good Chrisian can learn. Most of the seats in a church are filled with believers who need to be fed and most already know about hell's fire.

As with my church, I've heard my pastor preach about hell, damnation and the second death. However, since our church teaches from the Bible, book by book, chapter by chapter, verse by verse... we only cover hell fire as many times as it comes up in the Bible and according to how quickly we go through the Bible.

I figure that's how God means for us to learn His word and he put the topic of hell in there as many times as he'd like it to be covered in the amount of time it takes you to study the Bible from cover to cover.

However, I have heard pastors who talk like choosing Jesus over hell is more like choosing a picnic on a sunny day verses a rainy day. They aren't doing anyone any favors by sugar coating things.

This is so important. Balance is a must. So many churches these days seem to be content with baby food week after week, forgetting that the congregation needs to grow. Unfortunately, many churches are also managing to omit any mention of hell, and now we have a growing generation of people who have decided it doesn't even exist. Churches need to feed "adult food" to the congregation, AND they need to be careful not to shy away from the "uncomfortable" subjects like hell. In fact, the occasional focus on it should empassion us to work harder in our ministry to the unsaved.

Speak the truth of the Bible and let it do its work! The unsaved will not shy away from a sermon that is meant for the growth of the church because it's always God's working in their soul that responds to His own truth. New believers cannot gain a firm grounding in the truth if certain parts of Scripture are omitted for the sake of "comfort". And long time believers can grow lazy if they are encouraged to forget what awaits those they don't bother trying to reach.

[No Swansong]

Hell needs to be preached from the pulpit so that sinners can realize their lost state and come to a saving knowledge of Christ and so we who are saved NEVER forget who we were so we can be a proper witness for the gospel. Many churches do not preach on hell because they do not believe in hell.
And from the sidewalks, and from the rooftops, and from the classrooms, and the boardrooms!

[desmalia]

And from the sidewalks, and from the rooftops, and from the classrooms, and the boardrooms!
And the Internet!!!
:amen:

[Squeejie]

those hell fire sermons don't work anymore though. people are too smart for that now. they aren't afraid of anything anymore. scare tactics just upset people and turn them away. people already get enough of that from the religious fanatics anyways. People do need to be reminded of what they are, i fully agree. People aren't hellbound heretics, but they are the image of God. Why focus on a place that noone should go, when we can focus on a place where all should be.

[B®ent]

Hell needs to be preached from the pulpit so that sinners can realize their lost state and come to a saving knowledge of Christ and so we who are saved NEVER forget who we were so we can be a proper witness for the gospel.

:amen:

[B®ent]

those hell fire sermons don't work anymore though. people are too smart for that now. they aren't afraid of anything anymore. scare tactics just upset people and turn them away. people already get enough of that from the religious fanatics anyways. People do need to be reminded of what they are, i fully agree. People aren't hellbound heretics, but they are the image of God. Why focus on a place that noone should go, when we can focus on a place where all should be.

Well, it worked on me!! :amen:
Who are you to question the work of the Holy Spirit?

[Squeejie]

i'm not questioning the work of the holy spirit, but the work of people trying to belittle others. I am very happy that you found christ through whatever the holy spirit used to guide you to him, but that vast majority of hellfire and brimstone preachers, i don't think have a shred of the holy spirit in them. it is ok to hold someone accountable for their actions, but it's not ok to shake a finger at them from a pulpit, or even in their general direction.

[B®ent]

i'm not questioning the work of the holy spirit, but the work of people trying to belittle others. I am very happy that you found christ through whatever the holy spirit used to guide you to him, but that vast majority of hellfire and brimstone preachers, i don't think have a shred of the holy spirit in them. it is ok to hold someone accountable for their actions, but it's not ok to shake a finger at them from a pulpit, or even in their general direction.

We're not going to like everything that comes from the pulpit.
If we do, then something is wrong with that preacher!!

[Squeejie]

i really agree with that statement. preachers are in fact human, and by that right people won't always see eye to eye. That is probably where i'm going to leave it, because i don't think we are gonna see eye to eye ourselves.

[MaidforHim]

those hell fire sermons don't work anymore though. people are too smart for that now. they aren't afraid of anything anymore. scare tactics just upset people and turn them away. people already get enough of that from the religious fanatics anyways. People do need to be reminded of what they are, i fully agree. People aren't hellbound heretics, but they are the image of God. Why focus on a place that noone should go, when we can focus on a place where all should be.

God put lessons on hell the Bible for a reason. He wants us to learn about it, just the same way He want's us to learn about everything else He's taken the time to put in His Word. It is an important part of the entire picture.

Whether the Word reaches someone or not has a lot to do with the Holy Spirit. The WHOLE Bible is to be taught, read and shared, then the Holy Spirit steps in and convicts.

For man to choose to leave out part of God's Word is like telling God His message is not good enough. That's not a mistake I'll make and not one my church makes either. If it's in the Word we cover it. I want the whole message God sent me, not bits and pieces of it as it pleases some fleshly human that picks and chooses according to a whim or social climate.

Everyone deserves the right to hear the whole truth.

[MaidforHim]

i'm not questioning the work of the holy spirit, but the work of people trying to belittle others. I am very happy that you found christ through whatever the holy spirit used to guide you to him, but that vast majority of hellfire and brimstone preachers, i don't think have a shred of the holy spirit in them. it is ok to hold someone accountable for their actions, but it's not ok to shake a finger at them from a pulpit, or even in their general direction.
Not a good assumption to make. You see there are lots of different types of people, some people need or even want a preacher who shakes that finger.

Some want a formal church with lots of tradition.
Some learn best in a come as you are church.
Some fall some where in between.
There are enough "types" of good Christian churches teaching directly from the Word that everyone can find what environment they learn best in.

However,
ALL deserve to hear the Word taught in it's entirety, just as God intended. That's what is important.

[desmalia]

those hell fire sermons don't work anymore though. people are too smart for that now. they aren't afraid of anything anymore. scare tactics just upset people and turn them away. people already get enough of that from the religious fanatics anyways. People do need to be reminded of what they are, i fully agree. People aren't hellbound heretics, but they are the image of God. Why focus on a place that noone should go, when we can focus on a place where all should be.
I'll agree that there are some hellfire preachers who go over the top and just want to intimidate people into responding to the alter call. That's not ok either. But what worries me about so many churches today is the attempt to sugar coat God's message instead of sharing the whole truth. People need to know that the wages of sin is death, and that means hell. It is our responsibility to share the whole picture.

In addition, it is important to remind believers regularly that many in our world are bound for hell, so that we will remain passionate in our love and ministry to the unsaved. There is a lot at stake and we cannot afford to be lazy or negligent.

Not everyone will respond to the "hellfire" ministry. Not everyone responds to the Alpha ministry either. (don't get me started on that one! lol). Sharing the whole truth is what's important here. God leads who He will to respond when they hear His truth.

[Project 86]

I agree with Brent and the 3 ladies. They have given me nothing more to add.

[jlujan69]

Why don't more churches preach on Hell? Well, one reason is if you got a church full of people who said the "sinner's prayer" (perhaps even sincerely) and think they're eternally secure for it, then where's the need? My church does preach on Hell quite a bit, FYI.

[2cents]

I learned in a study one time that if you take note of Jesus' parables you notice a pattern. When He spoke of a figurative situation He didn't use specific names (people, places) When he used real situations as examples He did use specific names. Hell would be a specific name/place and the description of it accurate. Jesus gave us a very good idea of what hell is like.

Real situation, real names, some description of Hell:

Luke 16:19-31 19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. 27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: 28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.




Who came up with that method of exigesis? This is symbolic, unless you believe you're going to stand on the edge of hell and have conversations with people!
Real names = real situations... Well then if you have enough evil things happen to you during your life then you get to go to "Abrahams bossom" where ever that is... But if you were born well to do then you just get to go straight to hell! No mention of faith in Christ here, only repentance from a life of luxury, that will keep you from burning. So according to this real situation salvation is merited through poverty! (BTW no mention of eternal torment of the rich man in this parable.)

[2cents]

This thread got me thinking... if the wages of sin is eternal torment in flames (not death as Paul says), then how could Jesus pay the penalty for our sins unless He is eternally burning for us in hell? Do any of you eternal torment folks see any problems with that? Let me repeat, if the wages of sin is death, then Christ could pay that penalty through His death on the Cross. But if the wages of sin is eternal suffering in fire, then Christ did not pay the penalty for our sins! Maybe I'm missing something here... please help me understand why you would think eternal torment would be just for the sinner, but the Redeemer would not have to pay that price?

[No Swansong]

I will take a moment here to remind the board that both annihilationism and universalism are considered off limits in the Congregational Fora. As many of you are aware there are fora set aside for the discussion of these unorthodox doctrines.

I realize that no-one has yet mentioned either one but it is clear that one of both of these are being implied. This is just a friendly reminder.

This is also a reminder that in order to debate on Fundamentalist Churches forum one must affirm the definition we use for fundamentalist found here (http://www.christianforums.com/t672730-rules-for-this-forum-read-before-posting-updated-6-16-05.html).

[Project 86]

This thread got me thinking... if the wages of sin is eternal torment in flames (not death as Paul says), then how could Jesus pay the penalty for our sins unless He is eternally burning for us in hell? Do any of you eternal torment folks see any problems with that? Let me repeat, if the wages of sin is death, then Christ could pay that penalty through His death on the Cross. But if the wages of sin is eternal suffering in fire, then Christ did not pay the penalty for our sins! Maybe I'm missing something here... please help me understand why you would think eternal torment would be just for the sinner, but the Redeemer would not have to pay that price?

Let the Bible speak for itself and not us for it.

2 Thessalonians 1:9 Who shall be punished with EVERLASTING DESTRUCTION from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

Jude 1:7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of ETERNAL FIRE.

Matthew 23:33 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the DAMNATION OF HELL?

Mark 9:43-48 And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into HELL, into the fire that NEVER SHALL BE QUENCHED: Where their worm dieth not, and the FIRE IS NOT QUENCHED. And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into HELL, into the fire that NEVER SHALL BE QUENCHED: Where their worm dieth not, and the FIRE IS NOT QUENCHED. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is betterfor thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into HELL FIRE: Where their worm dieth not, and the FIRE IS NOT QUENCHED.

Finally, if hell is not eternal then neither is heaven.

Matthew 25:46 And these shall go away into EVERLASTING PUNISHMENT: but the righteous into LIFE ETERNAL

[2cents]

Let the Bible speak for itself and not us for it.




Finally, if hell is not eternal then neither is heaven.

Matthew 25:46 And these shall go away into EVERLASTING PUNISHMENT: but the righteous into LIFE ETERNAL

Well, I was hoping for something a little more well thought out than just blasting away with scriptures to support your ideas, but OK.

2 Thessalonians 1:9 Who shall be punished with EVERLASTING DESTRUCTION from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

You will note that everlasting destruction does not equate with eternal torment in hell fire.

Jude 1:7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of ETERNAL FIRE.

So then I can go to the middle east right now and watch Sodom and Gomorrha burning, literally?

Matthew 23:33 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the DAMNATION OF HELL?

Again, nothing about the duration of punishment for these "serpents or vipers" here. Were these literal snakes Jesus was talking to? If a serpent or viper is not literal in this passage why is the "damnation of hell" literal? A figurative viper could go to a figurative hell.

Mark 9:43-48 And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into HELL, into the fire that NEVER SHALL BE QUENCHED: Where their worm dieth not, and the FIRE IS NOT QUENCHED. And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into HELL, into the fire that NEVER SHALL BE QUENCHED: Where their worm dieth not, and the FIRE IS NOT QUENCHED. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is betterfor thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into HELL FIRE: Where their worm dieth not, and the FIRE IS NOT QUENCHED.

I have never met a Christian yet with one hand, one foot, or one eye missing , if not one Christian ever took those parts of this teaching literally, (and I'm glad common sense rules against literalism in this case), then why are "Christians" so willing to assume the other part of this verse is literal? If you have already plucked one of your eyes out (because I'm sure you have stumbled at least once) then I will accept your interpretation of this passage. BTW does God hate worms? Why would He punish them for ever and ever?

A note to the moderator, I am not arguing for annihilationism as such, but rather a method of interpretation. The ancients were not literalist by any stretch of the imagination and this method of interpreting scripture is flawed in many, many respects, in my opinion.

This takes me back to my original question, I believe literally that Jesus paid for my sins fully as my substitute on the cross, if there were the possibilty of eternal torment in the future for me how did He really pay for my sins? The answer is that the wages of sin is death, and His death covered my sins.

[Project 86]

As per the mods request I will not debate this topic. I'm more then happy to talk to anyone about this in PM if they like.

[kobuk]

True Christianity is under seige and all it's foundational doctrines that go with it, including the truth about hell.

Churchianity is big business. $$$. Survival of self comes first rather than love of God. 1st John Chapter 5 says this about that love we are to have for our Creator...

"1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous."

Many of the main false christian movements such as "Promise Keepers" have banned the discussion of hell from wherever they do not want "negative" subjects to interfere with their programs. Hell subject materials do not sell record albums or books. Feel good self-centered positive psychobabble does.

Hell of Hell http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?sermonID=3104122216

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

The vast majority of mankind will never find the Lord. Indeed, the majority of mankind will be lost for eternity. This doctrine may be difficult to accept, yet true nonetheless! But where, oh where, I ask, is the warning? I look to our pulpits, but they utter not a word of this place. Why do the vast majority of "pastors" refuse to preach hell fire?
To answer the thread starter's question then,

The vast majority of pastors don't preach hell fire because of the destruction already done to the education process that brings up our newly ordained ministers. In our seminaries are many destroyers of the foundational doctrines of the true Church.

[2cents]

Affirms the foundational truths of the historic Christian Faith:

The doctrine of the Trinity
The incarnation, virgin birth, substitutionary atonement, bodily resurrection, ascension into Heaven, and Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ
The new birth through regeneration of the Holy Spirit
The resurrection of saints to life eternal
The resurrection of the ungodly to final judgment and eternal deathSorry, I thought I was arguing for the fundamentalist doctrine of eternal death as stated in your forums rules. May I suggest you replace the words eternal death, which is what I believe, with the words eternal torment which is what fundamentalist apparently mean when they say "death".

Thanks, 2c

[B®ent]

2c,

Eternal death = eternal torment. They're dying, but they never die. Understand?

[TwinCrier]

Many newer bible versions remove or replace hell with less offensive words. http://www.tentmaker.org/articles/Hell_is_Leaving_the_Bible_Forever.html
It's hard to preach on something that isn't in your bible.

[B®ent]

Many newer bible versions remove or replace hell with less offensive words. http://www.tentmaker.org/articles/Hell_is_Leaving_the_Bible_Forever.html
It's hard to preach on something that isn't in your bible.

Good point!

[jlujan69]

One of the consequences of churches refusing to teach on Hell fire is that their people become more vulnerable to accepting the damnable heresy of annihilationism. I'm amazed that churches that teach such doctrine are even seen as Christian by CF.

[No Swansong]

2c,

Eternal death = eternal torment. They're dying, but they never die. Understand?

This is how I have always understood this, and I am pretty sure that this was the understanding of the World Congress of Fundamentalists from whom we here quote.

[staveoffzombies]

Many newer bible versions remove or replace hell with less offensive words. http://www.tentmaker.org/articles/Hell_is_Leaving_the_Bible_Forever.html
It's hard to preach on something that isn't in your bible.
Many newer bible versions replace the word "hell" with more correct translations.

[Rolande]

The reason why they don't preach Hell Fire is because our God is suppose to be kind, loving and all the rest. People think that if he was so kind and loving, why does he let all the bad stuff in the world go on. They don't understand Christianity. If we focus on the drawcards so to speak, the incentive to become Christian then we find ourselves much easier to get our point across because the people have the sort of reassurance that God will always be there for them. They need to read the bible to understand Hell, people don't. That's why we are born on the wide road, the road of sin and vice, the road that leads to eternal destructiuon. Because we need to read the Bible to understand God. I think it's just easier to preach the good parts because people will feel loved. How far they go in their relationship with God is up to them, and the Bible will guide them with it. They can't rely on a preacher forever. They can only speak so much of God's Word. I believe that people will understand what happens to people who don't take God as their Lord and Saviour once they read the Bible. There is so much to discover in the Bible and people get a mixed up impression of what it is because they take what it says out of context. People need to realise that preachers are there to get them saved, and guide them on their road to salvation. Not to do it (The relationship part) for them. Basically what I am saying is there is too much chance for people to miss what he saying and get it all wrong. That's why they don't preach it.

[desmalia]

The reason why they don't preach Hell Fire is because our God is suppose to be kind, loving and all the rest. People think that if he was so kind and loving, why does he let all the bad stuff in the world go on. They don't understand Christianity. If we focus on the drawcards so to speak, the incentive to become Christian then we find ourselves much easier to get our point across because the people have the sort of reassurance that God will always be there for them. They need to read the bible to understand Hell, people don't. That's why we are born on the wide road, the road of sin and vice, the road that leads to eternal destructiuon. Because we need to read the Bible to understand God. I think it's just easier to preach the good parts because people will feel loved. How far they go in their relationship with God is up to them, and the Bible will guide them with it. They can't rely on a preacher forever. They can only speak so much of God's Word. I believe that people will understand what happens to people who don't take God as their Lord and Saviour once they read the Bible. There is so much to discover in the Bible and people get a mixed up impression of what it is because they take what it says out of context. People need to realise that preachers are there to get them saved, and guide them on their road to salvation. Not to do it (The relationship part) for them. Basically what I am saying is there is too much chance for people to miss what he saying and get it all wrong. That's why they don't preach it.
If that is the reason why so many pastors are shying away from preaching the whole truth, then there are a lot of people out there who should not be pastors. They're in it with the wrong motivations and the wrong understanding of the faith.

Our jobs as God's people (and that includes pastors, and all of us laypeople too) is to share God's truth. It's the job of the Holy Spirit to move someone to salvation, NOT OURS. Hiding any of God's truth suggests a lack of faith both in that truth and in God's power. Consider the church under persecution. That is the time it tends to grow the most. And that is also when people know that choosing to follow Christ may cost them their very lives. It's not our job to make our faith look as "pretty" as possible to lure them in. It's our job to present the truth in love.

[2cents]

2c,

Eternal death = eternal torment. They're dying, but they never die. Understand?


I understand Roman Catholic influences on Protestant belief systems, do you?

[DeaconDean]

Reminder:

Fundamentalist: (Defined by the World Congress of Fundamentalists in 1976)

A born-again believer in the Lord Jesus Christ who

Believes whatever the Bible says is so;The Bible teaches:

"And 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...And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever." -Rev. 19:20, 20:10

God Bless

Till all are one.

[cubanito]

JC spoke twice as often about Hell (Gehenna) than about Heaven. His last public sermon ended with a string of curses longer by half than His initial sermon of blessings. My Church is now being infected by this sanitized version of Christianity.

I won't be posting often because I need to do something about it.

I am disgusted by the effete presentation of the Gospel. It is NOT unconditional love. It is REPENT, then be saved. Yes God Loved us while we were yet sinners, but He will not save wo REPENTANCE, and there is no repentance wo some understanding of the wages of sin.

JR

[cubanito]

And yeah Deacon Dean, your little REPENT sign is just fine. Else you get to fall into the jaws of the Hippo on the right, just like the Egyptian book of the dead said.

JR

[jlujan69]

My Church is now being infected by this sanitized version of Christianity.

I won't be posting often because I need to do something about it.


JR

Sorry to hear about your church. Usually, PCA can be counted on to present a clear Gospel message, as they've been faithful to preach the whole counsel of God, unlike their liberal counterpart.

[DeaconDean]

And yeah Deacon Dean, your little REPENT sign is just fine. Else you get to fall into the jaws of the Hippo on the right, just like the Egyptian book of the dead said.

JR

May I ask just what do you mean by that?

Perhaps I'm just dumb.

God Bless

Till all are one.