Defend Your FaithA Study in Christian Evidences

Lesson No. FiveThe Problem with Hell

Indeed the safest road to Hell is the gradual one - the gentle slope, soft

underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without

signposts.

- C.S. Lewis

First Peter 3:15But sanctify the Lord God in your

hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness

and fear.

(c) ESV

Psalm 139:14I praise you, for I am fearfully and

wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.

(c) NKJV

Genesis 1:26

Then God said, “Let Us make man inOur image, after our likeness.”

(c) ESV

Psalm 118:8

It is better to take refuge in the Lordthan to trust in man.

(c) ESV

Deuteronomy 32:4

The Rock, His work is perfect, for all Hisways are justice. A God of faithfulnessand without iniquity. Just and upright

is He.

(c) ESV

God is Love?The inherent problem many people have

with God is what seems to be theinconsistency in His nature. They phrase

it this way:

If God is love (see 1 John 4:8) how couldHe send people to hell?

The ArgumentJust because God is loving doesn’t mean that God isn’t also just (see Deut. 32:4).

Both of those ideas are part of Hisnature.

Humanity seems to think that they contradict one another, but do they?

No. God is both loving and just. It is not inherently a contradiction.

A ParableAs we examine the story of the rich manand Lazarus from Luke 16 do we see bothlove and justice found in God’s judgment?

Did Lazarus get what he deserved?Did Lazarus receive God’s love?

Did the rich man get what he deserved?Did the rich man receive God’s love?

A ParableWe would say both got what they deserved

And both were recipients of God’s love.

Lazarus received God’s love in death. Many people would say Lazarus’ place in the

afterlife was both just and loving.

The rich man received God’s love and blessings in life. The rich man got what he

(earned) deserved in death.

What Do We Know?The parable speaks of a place of torment

and comfort. Two unique places. However,this is before the day of judgment (1 John

4:16-17) so this place must exist outsideof a permanent heaven and hell.

The OT talk of death and Sheol (see Job 7:9-10) is a parallel to this idea

in the NT.

HellRevelation 20:11-15 describes a “lake of

fire” after judgment for those who aren’t written in the “Book of Life.”

It’s an analogy of the future event thatclearly describes places and judgments

based upon the actions of people.

Jesus on Judgment, HellIn Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus clearly

describes the Day of Judgment:

1 There will be 2 groups of people.

2 There will be 2 destinations.

3 Some won’t understand why they’re going to one place verses the other.

4 It will be eternal.

This is ImportantScripture clearly shows that judgment

is something that on one can escape. The judgment we all must face willbe a result of our actions and will

determine our future residence when this would ends or we die.

We are not sent anywhere by God randomly. Our actions in this world

determine our future.

Defend Your FaithA Study in Christian Evidences