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To: Wrigley
The violence and torture Dante described in the "Inferno" and Hieronymus Bosch illustrated on canvas centuries ago became cultural fossils in most mainstream Christian denominations -- a story line that no longer resonates with churchgoers.

No longer resonates??? Au contraire. One of the most resonating sermons that I had ever heard was from an earlier pastor of my church. The subject of his homily was what it was like to go to Hell. He spoke for quite a long time, as he gave biblical and theological explanations of what it meant to find oneself in a state of damnation after death. Even though the sermon was long, I remember noticing that except for his voice, you could hear a pin drop in the church. He did not speak in loud, theatrical tones, but in a calm, reasoned manner.

I wish I could recall the details, but I think he was speaking directly to my heart and my soul, so specifics are not so much in my memory banks as are the emotions I experienced. I was absolutely terrified.

One impression I do remember is an image he painted of watching God's eternal love, like the sun in a solar system, gradually growing smaller and smaller, as if I were on a spaceship hurtling out into the cold of space. It became like a pin prick, and then it was gone, and I was left in the eternal torment of being separated from Him. I will never forget it.

12 posted on 07/20/2002 9:14:07 AM PDT by COBOL2Java
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To: COBOL2Java
Sounds like a great sermon. I'm sure he wrapped it up by coming back to the cross, the reason we as Christians will never have to fear that seperation.

Does your church tape sermons.

13 posted on 07/20/2002 9:21:06 AM PDT by Wrigley
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