Posted on 09/29/2004 5:03:09 PM PDT by Dubya
FORT WORTH, Texas (BP)--A few days ago while vociferously condemning President Bush’s handling of the Iraq War, John Kerry exchanged his political rhetoric for a bit of theology, as he has become accustomed to doing lately.
Kerry said Saddam Hussein was a tyrant who deserved a “special place in hell.” And the senator was absolutely right. Saddam Hussein does deserve a special place in hell.
But Kerry stopped short.
George W. Bush deserves a special place in hell, as does every Republican in Congress. In fact, every Republican in America deserves a special place in hell right alongside every pro-life activist, every member of the Christian Coalition and every churchgoing, pickup truck-driving good ol’ boy who would never vote for a Yankee who may or may not have inflated his war record.
What Kerry did not say is that every Democrat in America, every tree-hugger and secularist, every abortionist and even John Kerry also deserves a special place in hell.
In fact, the Bible says we all deserve a special place in hell, though it uses much more effective language. Romans 1:18-32 lays out the specific reason why everyone deserves a special place in hell: We have all suppressed the knowledge of our Creator and acted as if we ourselves are God. Atrocities against humanity may get all the press, but rebellion against God is the criterion for eternal damnation.
Kerry’s comments highlight two phenomena in American life which play a large role in the weak and compromising theology at work in America’s churches.
First, Americans tend to marginalize the biblical teaching of eternal punishment as a place so horrific that no Christian could ever possibly wish it on another human being. This is because no one talks about hell anymore, except as a mild expletive or an analogy for an overheated room. The Bible, however, is quite clear. Hell is real and we all deserve it.
Second, too many American Christians still visualize God as the Great Accountant, toiling over his ledger about where to send someone at the final judgment. The biblical picture of God’s judgment is much simpler. Hell is not reserved for the Saddam Husseins and Adolf Hitlers of this world. Eternal punishment is not the result of bad works in life. It is the result of the kind of person that stands before God.
There are only two classes of people in the final analysis. Many will try to convince God to allow them into his presence because of their good works. One hundred percent of those people will spend eternity in the fiery pit. The other class of people accepted God’s offer of redemption through Jesus Christ, which comes only “by grace through faith, and that not of yourselves -– it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8).
Only one man did not deserve a special place in hell –- and He died for the rest of us. Only through accepting His offer of eternal life can any of us hope to escape hell.
And just as none of us are good enough to avoid hell on our own merit, none of us are too bad to accept God’s offer of grace in Jesus Christ and spend eternity with God in heaven.
No matter what happens in the presidential election, it is my hope that the “worst” of us, Saddam Hussein included, makes the decision to follow Jesus Christ with whatever time he or she has left in this world and, by doing so, avoids hell.
If that in fact happens, I hope such a person lives next to John Kerry among God’s redeemed. I have a feeling that after Kerry meets Jesus face to face his attitude about Saddam Hussein and even himself will have changed. --30-- Samuel Smith is a news writer at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.
What's the point of Hell if Teddy Kennedy isn't going to be there?
Only those that believe life begins at conception and than agree that Abortion is a womans choice... That stand is nothing short of Murder and Murderers will go to Hell..
If you truly did not believe that life began at conception than you could argue the point that you are removing cells or tissue. Morally you would not be guilty of murder..
Teddy will be there along with the rest of us. Don't you just hate equal?
It still depends on one's view of moral relativism. Those people could believe that from an ethics standpoint that they are not doing anything immoral, but to others, me included, it still is murder.
ROFL.
Man, when I first read "George W. Bush deserves a special place in hell" I screamed "BARF ALERT!". Thank God I read past that. Right on, man.
I don't know that there is a single point to Hell. The existence of Hell probably serves several purposes.
First, the existence of Hell shows that God is just. He is the Lord of all creation. He cannot abide rebellion. Therefore He has set aside a place to punish those who rebel against Him, and He has warned us about its existence.
Second, the existence of Hell, and the offer of redemption through His Son, show us something else about God's character. He is a God of mercy first, and judgement last. That is, He will offer you every chance to escape judgement, but if you refuse Him, He will judge you, because He must.
There are probably other "points" to the existence of Hell, as well.
Hell is other people. -- JP Sartre.
Given that abortion is considered always morally wrong and the death penalty a matter of prudential judgement (which the Pope does not like but that the Church recognizes as a legitimate action by the state, given the right circumstances) your comment stating that the Church sees no moral difference between the two acts is rather silly...
Can you imagine spending eternity with raving Teddy on your left and deviant Bill on your right? ... God's Grace in Christ, offered to 'any who will', is the only escape clause to our sinful, unholy selves entering into the presence of a Holy God.
Ted will be easy to spot. Alcohol burns with a blue flame.
Your writing seems to indicate the only one assured going to definitely have a place in heaven is John Kerry!
I didn't write it.
This Catholic theology student says "Amen." Loudly.
Kerry’s comments highlight two phenomena in American life which play a large role in the weak and compromising theology at work in America’s churches.
Amen.
First, Americans tend to marginalize the biblical teaching of eternal punishment as a place so horrific that no Christian could ever possibly wish it on another human being. This is because no one talks about hell anymore, except as a mild expletive or an analogy for an overheated room
Amen.
Second, too many American Christians still visualize God as the Great Accountant, toiling over his ledger about where to send someone at the final judgment. The biblical picture of God’s judgment is much simpler. Hell is not reserved for the Saddam Husseins and Adolf Hitlers of this world. Eternal punishment is not the result of bad works in life. It is the result of the kind of person that stands before God.
There are only two classes of people in the final analysis. Many will try to convince God to allow them into his presence because of their good works. One hundred percent of those people will spend eternity in the fiery pit. The other class of people accepted God’s offer of redemption through Jesus Christ, which comes only “by grace through faith, and that not of yourselves -– it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8).
I think all orthodox Christians can agree that works do not constitute a satisfactory soteriology.
Who ends up in hell is not quite so easy a question to answer. We do not know who will end up in hell. Christ never explictly condemned anyone to it - though he hinted at the possibility in a few instances. I think most of us would find it hard to reconcile Christ's words with the notion that Judas Iscariot has gone to heaven.
Salvation comes through Christ alone, as the Good Book says. How that grace is affected, however, is not for us humans to limit. Which is not to say we should presume nobody will end up there or that we need not contemplate our desperate need for that grace and love for the Creator who made us.
Or that American churches couldn't do with a little more talk about hellfire and eternal damnation.
LOL good point.
Sorry, mea culpa.
Sorry. I must disagree here. 1 Cor. 13 indicates otherwise. There is only one way to Heaven. Jesus said he is THE way, not A way. Works is not a way into Heaven, no matter how many, or how good they are. The only way is by accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior.
Amen!
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