Depends, 99% of people have big misconceptions of eternal torture and whatnot and I like to debunk that ignorance. Hell is a misleading word and it is important to seperate the lake of fire and Sheol when discussing it. I only talk about it when they ask though, it's not something I use when talking about Jesus, I never use the "believe or else" strategy because that is not what Jesus did, nor does it set the right frame of mind for believing.
Originally posted by AllianceI don't ignore a single one, I actually use the ones that they use and tell them why they got it wrong. Something with the translation and the usage of idioms. Those that think they can use the English translation of the Bible to back up eternal torture are simply misguided.
No. They are "misconceptions" from your point of view. Many Christians think hell is eternal tourture and they use the bible to back it up. Just becuase you choose to select certain passages and ignore others doens't make you any more right.
Originally posted by Nellinator
Depends, 99% of people have big misconceptions of eternal torture and whatnot and I like to debunk that ignorance. Hell is a misleading word and it is important to seperate the lake of fire and Sheol when discussing it. I only talk about it when they ask though, it's not something I use when talking about Jesus, I never use the "believe or else" strategy because that is not what Jesus did, nor does it set the right frame of mind for believing.
OK, Does it help you, to believe in a hell?
Originally posted by Nellinator
No, since I don't believe in "hell". But since I know what you mean, no it does not because it is ultimately inconsequential, even were to know I was destined for it I would still strive for God because that's what it's all about, loving God and loving others.
Then why does hell exist?
Originally posted by Nellinator
Free will of the parents, all eventually stemming from someone who was righteous.
So, we are back to the point of paradox. Christianity is built on a paradox; How can free will exist in a world that is controlled by an omnipotent god?
A paradox is like building your house on sand.
Because omnipotence doesn't mean that He controls everything, just that He can control everything.
It's like mixing two ingredients with one desired product. There are some other products that weren't what you wanted (let's call it precipitate), but God keeps adding in more reactant (grace) to make more and more of that precipitate become solution. Currently there is enough grace to get the whole world, we Christians need to stir and heat the mixture up by spreading the gospel to encourage the reaction of the precipitate. Ultimately the reaction, sadly does not and will not go to completion.
I'm sure there are multiple flaws in that analogy, but hopefully it makes enough sense.
Originally posted by Nellinator
Because omnipotence doesn't mean that He controls everything, just that He can control everything.
It's like mixing two ingredients with one desired product. There are some other products that weren't what you wanted (let's call it precipitate), but God keeps adding in more reactant (grace) to make more and more of that precipitate become solution. Currently there is enough grace to get the whole world, we Christians need to stir and heat the mixture up by spreading the gospel to encourage the reaction of the precipitate. Ultimately the reaction, sadly does not and will not go to completion.
Your analogy was great, but how can you hide something from god? Free will means we can hide our destiny from an all knowing god.