Question 20 – Why does a loving God send people to hell?
The Hell
For centuries, this question has perplexed not only non-believers but also many who have come to know God and experienced His love. The existence of hell is perhaps the most controversial subject within Christianity. The concept of eternal damnation and the Last Judgment is provocative, to say the least, and certainly not a favored topic in friendly conversation. For Christianity's critics and skeptics, hell is merely a bogeyman, a form of ecclesiastical control. For many Christians, it is a hot potato, something they attempt to discard for their own peace of mind, and prefer not to discuss at all.
A Misleading Notion of Hell
Why such disquiet? Yes, the reality of eternal separation from God is terrifying on its own. There is little more to add to that. However, I believe that a widespread and erroneous conception of the nature of this punishment plays a significant role. The understanding of what hell is like is considerably distorted among the general public and even among many Christians, for various reasons.
There are indeed people who associate the term hell with devils, boiling cauldrons, or on the contrary, with rock music, an endless bar, and a fantastic party. From a biblical standpoint, all these conceptions are nonsensical. Television, fairy tales, or the derisive jokes of skeptics are not always to blame, however. The medieval church has its share of blame in this "confusion," as do those who profited from people's fears. Most notably, countless paintings and artworks throughout the centuries depicted utterly fabricated scenes from hell. Many artists unleashed their imaginations and competed in brutality and the bizarre to frighten and shock the world. Ironically, the Bible does not support such fantasizing. At other times, the church of that era exploited the existence of hell for its enrichment, introducing the notion of purgatory and selling so-called "indulgences," through which it extorted society at the time. We could undoubtedly continue further with similar examples. However, it is not my intent to dwell on the historical evolution of views on hell. Let us briefly consider how Christians understand hell and what God Himself says about it through the Bible.
The Bible and Hell
In such a diverse array of perceptions, it is perhaps surprising to many that the Bible does not at all elaborate on the detailed character of hell! Instead, it is quite concise and cautious in describing the place of eternal punishment. The fundamental aspect we can glean from the Bible is that there is some kind of hell. However, based on biblical texts, one cannot precisely define what this place looks like, what happens there, or its exact nature. For this reason, any detailed ideas or teachings about hell are mere speculations.
Nonetheless, certain interpretations of biblical texts concerning hell do exist. The most prevalent in Christian circles are:
1) Purgatorial
conception of hell,
2) Literal conception of hell,
3)
Metaphorical conception of hell,
4) Conditional
conception of hell (complete annihilation).
Purgatorial conception of hell
As for the first interpretation, I shall not delve into it here. It does not stem from biblical teachings but rather from the traditions of the Roman Catholic Church, with which I do not align. However, for a complete picture, I mention this view. It suggests the existence of a place between heaven and hell, where people who are neither too wicked to end up in hell nor good enough to meet God undergo a kind of purification, assisted, supposedly, by intercessory prayers or "indulgences" (not in a monetary form today).
Literal conception of hell
The second interpretation views hell literally according to biblical depictions. Thus, terms like "burning lake" or "fire" are considered physical realities in which people will burn (without their bodies being consumed). However, this perspective is less widespread in contemporary Christian circles than it was in the past. It overlooks a fundamental aspect of the Bible—its symbolic language.
Metaphorical conception of hell
This brings us to the third interpretation, the metaphorical view. The Bible often employs symbolism and parables to help people comprehend realities that words alone can scarcely express, using familiar linguistic parallels. Possibly for this reason, hell is described not only as "fire," but also as "darkness." Fire devours and destroys. Darkness symbolizes despair and the absence of goodness. Consequently, hell can be understood as separation from God. In a way, the entire concept of hell becomes more logical and easier to grasp.
Suppose you do not want God to have a place in your life, show no interest in Him, and refuse to submit to Him. In that case, God is a gentleman. What you desire is what you shall receive! Being condemned and rejected by God might merely affirm what you have chosen yourself. If a person wants nothing to do with God and dismisses His offer of forgiveness and acceptance into His presence, then indeed, God will not accept them but will separate them from His presence. They will be separated from God. Where they will be, we do not know. The realization of losing eternal life, fulfillment, love, life with an infinite and almighty God... it must be profoundly depressing, consuming, extremely unpleasant, and hopeless. Perhaps this is what Jesus had in mind when He said of hell: "There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." What better expresses the understanding that we have discarded and lost the most valuable thing imaginable?
Some scholars, such as C. S. Lewis, therefore imagine hell as a place that, while offering the damned a certain level of relative satisfaction, will nonetheless be considered the worst possible place, surpassing our darkest imaginings. According to Lewis, this suffering does not originate from an active punishment imposed by God (as understood by many), but rather from the lack of contact with The One who is the source of peace.
Conditional conception of hell
Finally, the fourth view, which I personally adhere to, perceives hell as the eternal annihilation of the human being. After separation from God, such individuals will undergo an unspecified punishment of a certain period (we do not know how long) and then they will be destroyed.
Thus, it is not about suffering eternal torment but the complete termination of existence with eternal ramifications. Sinners will be consumed by eternal flames. Only those accepted by God will then exist, experiencing a personal and unending relationship with Him, filled with love and peace. Although a minority view, it is supported by several distinguished evangelical theologians, such as John Stott.
Perhaps these interpretations lead some of you to conclude that the Bible can be interpreted as one sees fit, thereby providing room for numerous theories and interpretations. This accusation will be addressed in a separate section dealing with the Bible. Concerning hell, however, the Bible tells us everything we need to know (a consensus among practically all Christians). Although the reality of hell is difficult to comprehend, God has not left us in doubt about its basic outline. We know there is a possibility of separation from God. At the same time, we know what is most crucial to understand—how to prevent this eternal separation.
What We Know for Certain and What God Wants Us to Know:
Those who accept God's offer of reconciliation through the Lord Jesus Christ will have eternal life alongside the living God (fulfilling the purpose for which we were created).
Conversely, those who reject God will face a just condemnation.
Those condemned will be separated from God and, as a result, will experience an unspecified kind of suffering.
The above information is most important for us, as recipients of the biblical message. Other matters on which theologians might disagree are not as critical as these primary ones.
What We Don't Know for Certain:
- Whether hell is a specific place (in a physical sense).
- What it looks like.
- What transpires there.
- The nature and intensity of the suffering experienced.
- The duration of this punishment.
Metaphorically speaking, it is unnecessary to argue over how many windows hell will have. It is better to ask, "How can I avoid it?" To the first question, the Bible provides no answer; to the latter, it certainly does. I believe that hell is not a place where God stubbornly sends sinners and punishes them (a widely held notion—that of a cruel and stern God who delights in casting people into hell). The entire essence and reality of hell may partly rest upon our own decision. It is perhaps also evidence that God takes our free will seriously.
Therefore, aware of the reality of the dreadful separation from God (hell), we can simultaneously declare that God is just, loving, and merciful. He is just because everyone will eventually get what they deserve; he is loving because He was willing to sacrifice His life for our salvation, and merciful because He is prepared to forgive us and welcome us as His beloved children.
Further Questions
We could explore numerous other intriguing questions regarding hell. Some wonder how they would feel in heaven, knowing their loved ones are damned and consequently suffering (or perhaps do not exist). Or why God doesn't simply save everyone and prevent their suffering resulting from poor choices. We might also question what happens to those who never heard of God (through no fault of their own)… would God send them to "hell"? Why such a severe punishment? And many more intriguing questions. The scope of this book, however, is not a detailed study of the doctrine of hell. Instead, I wish to outline the fact that the existence of hell has its logical and fundamentally necessary justification.
In the Bible, God prepares us for the return of Jesus Christ. However, this time, He will not come as one who allows Himself to be trampled and spat upon, but as the ruler of the universe, who will bring human history to its end. The Last Judgment will occur, revealing who will spend eternity with God and who will be separated from Him. The moment of Jesus' second coming has been anticipated by Christians for almost 2000 years. Skeptics mockingly ask, "Where is your Jesus? 2000 years and still nothing." To this, the Bible replies:
"The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance." (2 Peter 3:9)
Whatever hell may be, however ghastly and incomprehensible, we are assured that God finds no delight in our demise and does not wish us to be eternally separated from Him. He enters our lives through various means and attempts to stop us on the path leading to ruin. Therefore, the question, "How could a loving God allow a sinful person to go to hell?" may be re-framed to, "How could a holy, just, and eternal God allow a sinful and rebellious person to come into His presence?". Thus, I echo the words and appeal of the Apostle Paul, one of the most significant authors of the New Testament:
"God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God." (2 Corinthians 5:19–20)
Summation
Although the reality of hell is terrifying (whatever form it takes), in my view, the answer to the question "how can a loving God send people to hell?" is evident and clear - He doesn't send them there. If we are to have the freedom to reject God and such a decision is made, then an allowance for such a place must exist. In this case, separation and the renouncement of God with eternal consequences.