Why Hell Matters

Christianity enjoys a pretty popular reputation in the grand scheme of things. A loving God reaches out to save a lost world, demonstrates the right way to live, exemplifies 'turning the other cheek' in peaceful protest to his enemies... But the thing that gets people really riled up and divided, the most offensive doctrine in Christianity is the doctrine of hell. It's not just those opposed to Christianity that hate and oppose the doctrine of hell either. Some prominent Christians continue to endorse a hell-free version of Christianity. Historically these have been called Universalists, referring to the belief that ultimately everybody who ever lived will be saved from judgement, or anialists, who believe that those who aren't part of God's kingdom will simply cease to exist.

The question that is posed to Fundamental Evangelical Christians who believe in hell is 'why would a loving God send people to hell?' The question follows a number of false premises. For one, that God sends people to hell. Secondly, that God's love precludes any suggestion of judgement. The real question could be 'How could a loving God be indifferent to injustice and how can a just God show mercy to an enemy
race?'

The doctrine of hell matters. Not just because Jesus spoke of it, but also because it is the basis of salvation. For years I questioned what salvation could mean apart from hell. Is 'salvation' another word for 'life purpose'? Or 'abundant life'? It would seem then that Jesus, Paul and the other disciples, let alone thousands of Christians throughout history, were ultimately not saved. Yes, they may have lived an abundant life of purpose for a while, but they also died an untimely death. Definitely not the abundant life depicted by advocates of a hell-free reality. Jesus came rather to seek and save the lost, the perishing, the 'objects of wrath'. Without this understanding, the mission of God in Christ loses it's purpose. We already had Moses to tell us how to live. We would also have Mohammed, Confusious, Ghandi, and MLK. None of those claimed to save their followers from hell. Neither could they. But this was the essence of Christ's mission. This is the purpose of our mission as followers of Christ. This is why Jesus has sent us out. This is out Good News, our Gospel - that through Him people can be saved from the wrath of God (hell).

But what about that? God's wrath? Surely God isn't wrathful. Jesus showed us what God is like, right? Meek and mild. Sure He gets upset every now and then and flips over a table or two. But judging people for their sins? Isn't that a bit Old Testament? Didn't that God pass away with the New Covenant?

The Bible is consistent. God is always the same God, whether we like it or not. The same God who ordered the execution of sinners in judgment for their sin in Judges and 2 Chronicles is the same God who delivered sinners despite their sins in Exodus and the Gospels, and the same God who will ultimately judge and deliver sinners as depicted in Daniel and Revelation. This point is clear and crucial to understanding the Gospel: God's love is most clearly shown in His salvation through the cross and His judgment through hell. God's love for His people is made clear through His hatred of sin. A hell-free Gospel depicts an indifferent God, not a loving God. Not a God invested in the affairs of man, but a weak, hopeful, detached deity who has no interest or care in the affairs of man, just so long as there's a 'happy ending'. On the contrary, the reality of judgment and hell show that God is not silent regarding oppression, that those who act unjustly will be held accountable, and that the cross of Christ means something to those who are being saved (while it is foolishness to the perishing).

We are so privileged to have the luxury of believing there is no judgment. I am often disturbed and perplexed by many of the Psalms where David cries out for vengeance against his enemies, but I look beyond our comfortable North American 21st century lifestyle and I can start to understand. The preteen girl sold into sexual slavery has no recourse against her pimp or john. Innocent people jailed for crimes they didn't commit have no other court to appeal to. Money lenders who abuse and exploit their clients get off scott free. Governments murder their own people and nobody pays any attention. David prayed, pleaded with God, that these would be held accountable ultimately. His prayers are repeated every moment of every day by those living in oppression, and God's response is YES! Sin IS a problem that WILL ultimately be dealt with and sinners WILL pay for their outrageous acts. A God who won't hold these to account is not loving, but cruel and indifferent.

But wait, don't I believe that God will forgive even these? Yes! But at what cost? The life of His Son Jesus. The oppressed cry out 'grant me justice and vengeance!' and God responds 'yes, see how horribly my Son will suffer because of the sins inflicted on you, if only your oppressor will receive my salvation. And see how you also can be saved because of my Son's sacrifice.' We are all victims; we are all victimizers. For each person we cry out for vengeance against, there could be another person crying for vengeance against each one of us. And God will, in His love, answer each one of those cries, whether in the sacrifice of His Son or in the everlasting torment of those who have caused us, His beloved children, harm. The reality of hell shows the extent of love that God has for us, as well as the depth and severity of sin in it's consequence.

Finally, hell is the just penalty for our treason against a high and holy God. Those who diminish hell also diminish God's worth, as well as His Son's sacrifice. Even if we had never hurt another person, our act of defiance to God's rule and order, our unwavering insistence for independence over remaining dependent on Him requires no less than the fires of hell. It must be so. God commands it. The first Commandment is 'have no other gods before me'. For God to overlook man's rebellion and rejection of Him is for Him to choose man over God, making God a violator of his own command, an idolator Himself, and a sinner. God is holy, and wholly worthy to be praised. His act of salvation is to His own glory, as is His act of judgment. How he has worked justice and mercy together is a marvel much greater than the great artists have ever dreamed up!

'If hell didn't exist, wouldn't that be great?' Not really. Because there you get a weak, indifferent God, an ineffective Gospel, a lack of purpose, cheap grace, and we Christians are simply being warehouses for the afterlife. On the contrary, the reality of hell gives purpose to our mission and our lives on earth, strength to God's love by willing that none should perish (but some will) and impetus to share the Good News that Christ died on our behalf, absorbing the hell of God for us - those who believe. Salvation is found in no other name, and so the name of Jesus must be sent forth through all the earth so many will be saved - to the great glory of God Almighty!

I don't love the concept of hell. Believing it doesn't make me popular. Preaching it makes me even less so. But without it, there would not be the Gospel. The light is most clearly seen when we recognize that we are in darkness. Let's open our eyes to the glory of God and thank Him for making a way that we could be saved from the destiny of hell!