This is from the series of questions I’ve been getting from a Muslim member of the RevTrev community. So I’ve answered it differently than a theological debate with Christians.
Question:
Is there an Eternal Hell?
Answer:
I understand the Muslim definition of Hell is a place of torment and fire (Quran 25:65, 104:6-7). Hell is known as Jahannam. Jahannam has several levels and a person may not necessarily spend eternity there.
Is this your understanding of it?
In my branch of Christianity there is a current discussion around whether or not a loving God would send people to hell. The question is “How can a good, holy and loving God, let people go to hell?”
It’s a question that misses the revelation of His goodness, the experience of His holiness, and the tangibleness of His love.
God has done everything to bring us into right relationship with Him and satisfy the penalty for sin. We don’t have to work out our justification (removing the guilt), or redemption (paying the price of sin), or propitiation (washing the sin away), or reconciliation (make friends again with God) or even, expiation (satisfying the demands of God) because of what Christ did. We are holy, because He is Holy.
We do need to make Him our Lord and be in right relationship with Him. It can be a simple prayer, but we need to work out the implications of that simple prayer in the day to day of our lives.
Don’t allow an offense against your logic to keep you from experiencing and knowing the delight the Father has for you. He will reveal it to you in ways you’ll grasp but never fully understand.
By the way, the Bible describes hell, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit all with the same Greek word - Einos. It’s translated “eternal”. So if I believe God is eternal I have to believe hell is as well. Although I’ve got to think hell is going to be different for Hilter than many others.
Hope that helps. I’d appreciate hearing your thoughts.
