Is Hell Fair? Part 1
Again, I will start with an apology for my tardiness in blogging. The selling and purchasing of homes, as well as reading and writing of papers for graduate work, as well as being a father and husband have been my focus for a few months. Moving on, there is much discussion today about hell and its fairness. Today this debate carries on in secular circles as well as "Christian" circles. After a far-too-long hiatus, I want to tackle the topic of the fairness of hell.
Do you realize every minute 107 individuals die world-wide.[1] That means on average 154,080 people die every day. The number of people who have died since Adam and Eve is incalculable. The thought of those who will not be saved from God's judgment and hell is a sobering, and frankly depressing. But there are those in today's culture who are challenging the fairness of hell - even the existence of hell. This challenge first comes from the atheist and agnostics. John Lennon encouraged his listener's to image if there was no heaven and "no hell below us"[2] Author Christopher Hitchens found solace in the denial of heaven and hell:
The only position that leaves me with no cognitive dissonance is atheism. It is not a creed. Death is certain, replacing both the siren-song of Paradise and the dread of Hell. Life on this earth, with all its mystery and beauty and pain, is then to be lived far more intensely: we stumble and get up, we are sad, confident, insecure, feel loneliness and joy and love. There is nothing more; but I want nothing more.[3]
Therefore, Hitchens would be content with no ultimate justice for Hitler or any other person for their heinous actions. Hell and its fairness are also being challenged from "Christians". Pastor and author Rob Bell writes, "A loving heavenly father who will go to extraordinary lengths to have a relationship with them would, in the blink of an eye, become a cruel, mean, vicious tormenter who would ensure that they had no escape from an endless future of agony...That kind of God is simply devastating. Psychologically crushing. We can't bear it. No one can."[4] Secularist and Christian alike wrestle with two questions: Why would a good and loving God send ignorant people to hell? In other words, is it fair for those who have not heard the gospel to be condemned to hell? Second, why would God send good people to hell? In other words, doesn't God take a person's life into account on judgment day? These questions can be answered by deciding if there are any ignorant people and understanding if there are any “good” people.
The first struggle for those questioning God's loving character in the face of judgment and hell is that of the ignorant person. Is it fair for God to condemn someone to hell if they have never heard the gospel message or been exposed to Christ and Christianity? It is first important to remember that God is under no obligation to offer salvation to anyone. This is first demonstrated in His finality of the angel’s decision. In God's divine sovereignty, when Satan rebelled his decision was final.[5] The angels who followed Satan face the same permanence in their choice. 2 Peter 2:4 states, "For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment."[6] Jesus too indicates the definitive penalty for the angels and Satan: "Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels."[7] Therefore any gift of redemption is grace from God to whom He chooses. So what of the person who never hears of the gift of redemption? Perhaps it is not an issue of hearing, but of responding to the testimony they do have. The Apostle Paul wrote:
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.[8]
Creation is the testimony of God's existence; therefore, man is without excuse. J. Vernon McGee states "This section reveals the historical basis of man's sin. It did not come about through ignorance. It was the willful rebellion in the presence of clear light."[9] That light provided through creation provides only condemnation, not salvation. In Psalms 19:1 David proclaims it is the heavens above that display God's workmanship.[10]
It is at this point that some throw up their hands and shout, "That is not fair! So what if creation points to a creator? That does not offer the standards of God." I agree. It does not lay out God's commands by observing nature and the heavens. However, there is another natural witness. Romans 2:14-15 states, "For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them."[11] According to Paul, man's conscience is burdened by the moral law. This law is not exclusive to the Jews, but to everyone. Matthew Henry concludes each person's judgment is against a law so "pure and clear."[12] According to Scottish theologian Sinclair B. Ferguson, if this witness both accuses and excuses, how much more will it bear witness at the ultimate and divine judgment of God?[13] Paul in his message to Lystra said:
"We are also men of the same nature as you, and preach the gospel to you that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. In the generations gone by He permitted all the nations to go their own ways; and yet He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.[14]"
John MacArthur notes that the judgment on the Gentiles was not as harsh because their revelation was not the written law, but still a providential and written law. It is in God's providence His law, His creation is known.[15] Simply put, all mankind is accountable for his or her actions.
Based on the evidence of Scripture mankind cannot deny the testimony of God's existence through creation and morality. Pastor and author Francis Chan reminds us “all people are condemned not for rejecting the gospel, but for rejecting the ‘general revelation’ that’s given to all people.”[16] Nor can anyone deny each individual's responsibility to obey God's laws, which are written on each man's heart. Rather, as seen in Romans 1, man can deny and suppress the truth, but never claim ignorance of it.
To be continued....
Do you realize every minute 107 individuals die world-wide.[1] That means on average 154,080 people die every day. The number of people who have died since Adam and Eve is incalculable. The thought of those who will not be saved from God's judgment and hell is a sobering, and frankly depressing. But there are those in today's culture who are challenging the fairness of hell - even the existence of hell. This challenge first comes from the atheist and agnostics. John Lennon encouraged his listener's to image if there was no heaven and "no hell below us"[2] Author Christopher Hitchens found solace in the denial of heaven and hell:
The only position that leaves me with no cognitive dissonance is atheism. It is not a creed. Death is certain, replacing both the siren-song of Paradise and the dread of Hell. Life on this earth, with all its mystery and beauty and pain, is then to be lived far more intensely: we stumble and get up, we are sad, confident, insecure, feel loneliness and joy and love. There is nothing more; but I want nothing more.[3]
Therefore, Hitchens would be content with no ultimate justice for Hitler or any other person for their heinous actions. Hell and its fairness are also being challenged from "Christians". Pastor and author Rob Bell writes, "A loving heavenly father who will go to extraordinary lengths to have a relationship with them would, in the blink of an eye, become a cruel, mean, vicious tormenter who would ensure that they had no escape from an endless future of agony...That kind of God is simply devastating. Psychologically crushing. We can't bear it. No one can."[4] Secularist and Christian alike wrestle with two questions: Why would a good and loving God send ignorant people to hell? In other words, is it fair for those who have not heard the gospel to be condemned to hell? Second, why would God send good people to hell? In other words, doesn't God take a person's life into account on judgment day? These questions can be answered by deciding if there are any ignorant people and understanding if there are any “good” people.
Are There Any Ignorant?
The first struggle for those questioning God's loving character in the face of judgment and hell is that of the ignorant person. Is it fair for God to condemn someone to hell if they have never heard the gospel message or been exposed to Christ and Christianity? It is first important to remember that God is under no obligation to offer salvation to anyone. This is first demonstrated in His finality of the angel’s decision. In God's divine sovereignty, when Satan rebelled his decision was final.[5] The angels who followed Satan face the same permanence in their choice. 2 Peter 2:4 states, "For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment."[6] Jesus too indicates the definitive penalty for the angels and Satan: "Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels."[7] Therefore any gift of redemption is grace from God to whom He chooses. So what of the person who never hears of the gift of redemption? Perhaps it is not an issue of hearing, but of responding to the testimony they do have. The Apostle Paul wrote:
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.[8]
Creation is the testimony of God's existence; therefore, man is without excuse. J. Vernon McGee states "This section reveals the historical basis of man's sin. It did not come about through ignorance. It was the willful rebellion in the presence of clear light."[9] That light provided through creation provides only condemnation, not salvation. In Psalms 19:1 David proclaims it is the heavens above that display God's workmanship.[10]
It is at this point that some throw up their hands and shout, "That is not fair! So what if creation points to a creator? That does not offer the standards of God." I agree. It does not lay out God's commands by observing nature and the heavens. However, there is another natural witness. Romans 2:14-15 states, "For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them."[11] According to Paul, man's conscience is burdened by the moral law. This law is not exclusive to the Jews, but to everyone. Matthew Henry concludes each person's judgment is against a law so "pure and clear."[12] According to Scottish theologian Sinclair B. Ferguson, if this witness both accuses and excuses, how much more will it bear witness at the ultimate and divine judgment of God?[13] Paul in his message to Lystra said:
"We are also men of the same nature as you, and preach the gospel to you that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. In the generations gone by He permitted all the nations to go their own ways; and yet He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.[14]"
John MacArthur notes that the judgment on the Gentiles was not as harsh because their revelation was not the written law, but still a providential and written law. It is in God's providence His law, His creation is known.[15] Simply put, all mankind is accountable for his or her actions.
Based on the evidence of Scripture mankind cannot deny the testimony of God's existence through creation and morality. Pastor and author Francis Chan reminds us “all people are condemned not for rejecting the gospel, but for rejecting the ‘general revelation’ that’s given to all people.”[16] Nor can anyone deny each individual's responsibility to obey God's laws, which are written on each man's heart. Rather, as seen in Romans 1, man can deny and suppress the truth, but never claim ignorance of it.
To be continued....
[1] Central Intelligence Agency. The World Factbook: World. April, 22, 2013 . http://libguides.nps.edu/content.php?pid=125051&sid=1076555.
May 1, 2013
[2] John Lennon. Imagine
Lyrics. February 20, 2013 . http://www.lyrics007.com/John%20Lennon%20Lyrics/Imagine%20Lyrics.html.
May 1, 2013 .
[3] selected and with introductions by Christopher Hitchens, The Portable Atheist: Essential
Readings for the Nonbeliever, 3rd Da Capo Press ed. (Philadelphia , PA
[4] Rob Bell, Love
Wins: a Book About Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived (New York , NY
[5] Revelation 12:3-4 NASB
[6] NASB
[7] Matthew 25:41 NASB
[8] Romans 1:18-23 NASB
[9]J. Vernon
[10] NASB
[11] NASB
[12] Matthew Henry, Matthew
Henry's Commentary, abridged edition ed. (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan,
1961), 1:1758.
[13] Christopher W. Morgan, Robert A. Peterson, and general
editors, Hell under Fire:
Modern Scholarship Reinvents Eternal Punishment (Grand Rapids , Mich.
[14] Acts 14:15-17 NASB
[15] John MacArthur, Qualities
of a Great Missionary, Part 2. http://www.gty.org/Resources/Sermons/1748.
May 1, 2013 .
[16] Francis Chan & Preston Sprinkle, Erasing
Hell: What God Said About Eternity and the Things We Made Up (Colorado Springs , CO
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