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Jesus never used the word “hell”. He used the word Gehenna.

The good news is that you are in the Bible. I always personally find that to be exciting, and then I think about it.

1Ti 6:4 Anyone who teaches something different is arrogant and lacks understanding. Such a person has an unhealthy desire to quibble over the meaning of words. This stirs up arguments ending in jealousy, division, slander, and evil suspicions.

You argue that eternal punishment doesn’t mean forever, it is a period of time, and that it is meant for correction.

Well then you have to argue that ETERNAL LIFE is just for a period of time and doesn’t last forever either.

You major in minors, and minor it majors. You need to seek higher ground.

Pro_20:12 Ears to hear and eyes to see—both are gifts from the LORD.

Jesus favorite quote was “ear to hear”. May you hear his voice and not mine.....................

You argue that eternal punishment doesn’t mean forever, it is a period of time, and that it is meant for correction.

No. I don’t believe that at all. I think that may be a universalist thing.

I believe that it IS forever. I just believe it is a condition, rather than a place. Same with eternal life - immortality - given to believers (as opposed to NOT being given to non believers).

And the condition is that you are gone. You are dead, burned up, never to return.

You major in minors, and minor it majors. You need to seek higher ground.

Actually, the ECT vs CI issue is CRITICAL to me because I believe ECT is seriously damaging the Christian message for two reasons:
1. It is filling churches with people who are there to “hedge their bets” because they are afraid of “what if it is true” and so come to Christ out of fear. But the Gospel is about coming to Him out of desire to be with him in eternity, not fear of being eternally tormented.
2. It destroys the loving God message. The entire bible comes at us in a way we can understand with our human minds. Paul reasoned with people all over the place to bring them to Christ. The Bereans were complimented for SEARCHING WITH THEIR MINDS to see the truth of the Gospel. But when you bring this ECT thing to THINKING non-believers along with the “gospel” of love, it looks ridiculous. And it should. It makes a mockery of Christianity. But when you come to these people and offer the true Gospel of the Bible - that the fate of man from Genesis 3 is death, but the gift of God is eternal life, it is the positive message the gospel presents. We are saved from DEATH. Some will accept it and some won’t, but those that do will do so out of Desire to be with Christ in eternity rather than fear of a mean and vengeful God that created the entire human race with the knowledge that most of them would end up in his horrendous and eternal torture chamber. If the bible taught that, it would be one thing. But it doesn’t. Rather, men who have somehow lost the core of His message, for what ever reason, have embraced that interpretation in hopes that the fear factor would more fill church pews with givers that at least will give some of their money in their lostness to help the cause.

i.e. this is critical to the gospel because of the gross harm ECT teaching has done not only to the great commission, but to the spirits of those that are saved, but have loved ones, many of which will never accept Christ. I’ve seen these people and the constant misery they live, while attending church at every moment the doors are open.