[kosta50]

Why?

Because humans are created in His image and likeness and if they possessed unlimited freedom and knowledge they would be Gods.

Why did He create hell?

Biblical imagery tells us He created a "lake of fire" (actually burning "sulphur") somewhere in the universe for the devil and his angels. Of course, this is just imagery and not feal fire or sulphur. It is something eternal.

Worth mentioning is that the OT mentions no such thing. That is a latter-day innovation/devlopment/revelation, whatever. At any rate, it's supposed to be scary, not necessarily a documentary fact. It shows that life without God, or in rebellion with God, is "hell" (no pun intended). :)

[Kolokotronis]

“At any rate, it’s supposed to be scary, not necessarily a documentary fact.”

“Very often many things are said by the Holy Scriptures and in it many names are used not in a literal sense... those who have a mind understand this” +Isaac the Syrian

or, as +Basil the Great commented, “”It is because fear edifies simpler people.”

:)

[HarleyD]

Biblical imagery tells us He created a "lake of fire" (actually burning "sulphur") somewhere in the universe for the devil and his angels. Of course, this is just imagery and not feal fire or sulphur. It is something eternal.

I'm confused by the above sentences. Did God create an actual "lake of fire" for the devil and his angels or is it imagery?

Worth mentioning is that the OT mentions no such thing.

I wouldn't say it doesn't mention it. Normally it talks about the righteous living forever with God while the wicked will be cut off.

Gen 18:25 "Far be it from You to do such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly?"

1Sa 2:9 "He keeps the feet of His godly ones, But the wicked ones are silenced in darkness; For not by might shall a man prevail.

Psa 58:10-11 The righteous will rejoice when he sees the vengeance; He will wash his feet in the blood of the wicked. And men will say, "Surely there is a reward for the righteous; Surely there is a God who judges on earth!"

Psa 94:12-14 Blessed is the man whom You chasten, O LORD, And whom You teach out of Your law; That You may grant him relief from the days of adversity, Until a pit is dug for the wicked. For the LORD will not abandon His people, Nor will He forsake His inheritance.

Psa 145:20-21 The LORD keeps all who love Him, But all the wicked He will destroy. My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD, And all flesh will bless His holy name forever and ever.

But, more importantly, our Lord discusses the matter many times.

Mat 10:28 "Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

You've already have gone on record as not believing in the Old Testament and not believing in Paul's writings. Are you now going to say you don't believe what is recorded by our Lord?

At any rate, it's supposed to be scary, not necessarily a documentary fact.

If our Lord stated it, I think it's more than "scary".

Psa 30:3 O LORD, You have brought up my soul from Sheol; You have kept me alive, that I would not go down to the pit.