I often get asked “How can a God who is good, send someone to hell?” My response is simply this:
Your statement shows two incorrect perceptions. First, God is not “good”... God is perfect. Which is better than merely being good. And as such, God remains perfect by requiring perfect justice. We are sinners from our births, separated from God because of this sin. Until there is judgement and justice, we can not enter into God’s presence. But God in his mercy, made a path that everyone can follow. This path is accepting Jesus as Lord and savior. The sin-less (Jesus) became the atonement under a perfect God’s judgement and justice for those who were tainted by sin.
But God has allowed us to choose. During our lives, we either choose to be with God or to be away from God. We either strive to live a life pleasing to God ... or we don’t care. God honors that choice. If a person chooses to live a life of sin and separation from God, then they have chosen to spend eternity in hell. Because the very definition of hell is the absence and separation from God.
So the correct question would be:
Why does God who is perfect, honor a person’s choice to spend eternity separated from God? I find that when you ask the right question, the answer becomes obvious.
Very nice apologetic.
People just don’t want to believe they are sinners.
Excellent. Just excellent. Thanks.
How does imperfection come out of perfection?
For centuries, the chances that a person born in East Asia would become Christian were practically nonexistent. There must be billions of their souls destined for the lake of fire, if Rev. is literally true. Is that justice, in your opinion?
Because the very definition of hell is the absence and separation from God.
What about the burning in torment. Do you believe that is a reality for those who chose poorly?