The Necessity of Hell

  

Most people who believe in an afterlife agree that heaven of some sort exists, although few, it seems, are willing to admit to a hell that completes the duo. Yet part of the evidence to the existence of both is the experience of both in this life.

 

We live in the overlap of both worlds; the affluent experience a humanized heaven, the poor and subjugated often live in a reality of hell, although whether either party deserves their fortune or misfortune is debateable.

Either way, one day heaven and hell will be separated, neither experiencing or able to communicate with the other. At that time, each person will be in the place chosen by their actions, belief or disbelief during their time in this world.

But, the argument goes, there can’t be a hell, for a God of love would never place anyone in such a terrible place. This argument, of course, is based on the human value of sin—it’s not really bad enough to deserve banishment from God’s presence—which is what hell is.

Hell becomes more understandable if we see sin from the way God sees it. Justice—if we care enough about it—requires a penalty, either from the transgressor or someone willing to take his or her place. A loving God was willing to give his own Son in our place—that describes His assessment of the evil extent of sin.

I’m not sure anyone would want a heaven where everyone attained it on their own terms. Do we want a repeat of earth in heaven? Sin is like cancer, one cell can destroy the body; one sin could destroy heaven. For those unwilling to relinquish, or seek forgiveness for their sin, hell is the only place to practise it.

Are You God or Bad?

When I was young, my father taught me to ride a bicycle. Once I had learned to balance the machine, I was let loose on the neighbourhood roads. What a menace I proved to be was highlighted by an irate motorist who told me to keep to the left—this was in England of course.

The primary rule of the road—to keep left—was so obvious to him, my father never told me. But without it, chaos would ensue, driving would be impossible, and a road system useless. Fortunately, I was warned in no uncertain terms to drive on the right when I arrived in Canada.

If life is to be meaningful, the primary condition of humankind needs to be recognized and granted: the innate wickedness of the human soul. Sin is not something we do, it is what we are, yet popular wisdom continually asserts the goodness of humankind.

This seems to go against all the evidence of the entire history of humanity up to the atrocities of this year, this week, even today, angrily and rightly condemned by the media. Yet the Bible asserts that there is none righteous: we are all in the same boat.

The idea that there are some bad apples in the human race, but most of us are good, does not stand up to scrutiny. If we are honest, all of us are ashamed or guilty of something we have done. Even the best we can do is infected with impure motives.

The difference between us and a butcher like Syria’s Al Assad is in degree, not substance. Haven’t we all wished, at some point, we could stop someone’s voice permanently? And Jesus said the thought is as good as the deed, Matthew 5:21–22.

Until we are aware of our sinful tendencies, and that they are innate, not superficial, any forgiveness offered us by God, or anyone else for that matter, will be rejected. We will then be left to accept the consequences of our life’s behaviour ourselves, Romans 3:19.

Decline of the Liberal Church

A couple of articles in the mainstream media have highlighted the decline of the Liberal church in Canada, particularly the United Church. The Canadian United Church is in dire trouble due to falling attendance and corresponding loss of income.

The Globe and Mail quotes a retired United Church minister who served declining congregations all his ministry life. “In my experience, when you put your primary focus on the world, there is a lessening of the importance of worship and turning to God.” http://www.theglobeandmail.com/commentary/the-collapse-of-the-liberal-church/article4443228/

Canada.com reports that the United church has lost half its membership since 1965. Sunday School attendance has dropped 90% in the same time. http://www.canada.com/life/Declining+membership+dwindling+finances+likely+church+agenda/7073350/story.html.

However, many evangelical churches are growing, often at surprising rates. My drive across Canada two years ago, revealed numbers of large evangelical churches being built in both the large and small cities. Why the difference?

My guess is the liberal tradition of the United Church—summed up in the idea that ‘you can’t believe everything you read in the Bible’—has weakened the movement. Miracles, as described in the Bible have natural explanations, or are legendary myths.

What is probably most damaging is the denial of Jesus’ deity; His virgin birth and resurrection are dismissed as fabrications of the Early Church. These ideas are what secular Canadians generally hold, and they became the gateway for liberal Christianity to accept Canadian secular beliefs.

Hence, the United Church, for instance, agrees to abortion on demand and gay marriage. Their main interests are social and political issues, often with a partisan approach. If churchgoers hear from the Sunday pulpit what newspapers said the previous week, why go?

If political and pagan rhetoric is all popular belief—worse still, the church—has to offer, life is dismal and pointless. It is the hope that Scripture brings through the risen Christ that draws people to conservative and evangelical churches: hope for meaning and renewal in this life and assurance for the next.

The Bible has always provided a way out of history’s swings between licence and asceticism. As we develop a relationship with our Creator, we discover the empty, vague, and uncertain direction of the world’s philosophies.

The Gathering Storms?

It seems three major disasters are in the early stages of formation.

Extreme heat is again plaguing the midwestern states, while severe weather warnings are currently causing damage and deaths across north America. Climate warming appears to be well established, as the ice caps continue to melt, sea levels threaten coasts, and rivers overflow.

Whether human action or natural phenomena is the cause has yet to be proven, although it seems a growing voracious world population is probably a factor. What seems evident, is that the extreme weather conditions are here to stay, and will probably increase.

The second major problem is the debt crisis in Europe, which may easily become worldwide. Living off future earnings is always hazardous. The earnings may not materialize, or be exaggerated, and cause overspending and escalating debt beyond the ability to pay.

This is the living style of much of the west, not only individuals, but also governments. National populations are used to government services and handouts, and have shown unwillingness to forgo these in order to ease the crisis. Their actions will probably increase the problem.

Perhaps the greatest crisis facing the west, and likely to extend to developing countries, is the paganization of cultures. From a predominately Christian culture of several decades ago that produced the work ethic and sense of service, today’s culture is far more self-serving and assertive.

Canada’s multiculturalism is a major example of the fracturing of society by acceding to the demands of individual cultures and personal rights. It replaces an inclusive society that serves one another and ensures their legitimate aspirations and needs are met. The government should pay and provide that!

Spending all we have on ourselves is the basis of moral decay, for it opens the door to personal freedom to live as we please. And moral decay has been the cause of weakening of nations within and the downfall of empires throughout history.

It may be that climate change is nature’s backlash against the abuse of the earth’s resources. Debt is certainly a result of poor human management, individual and national. No one else is responsible for the collective poverty we may bring upon ourselves.

But the greatest threat to our well-being, even sanity, is the slide into moral relativism that plagues the western world. The demand for petty personal freedoms is a path to addictive bondage, that in turn, will hamper our ability to guard against the forces of evil—natural or spiritual—that desire to enslave us.

God has set the prime example of self-giving—as opposed to self-serving—by sacrificing His Son to release us from the bondage and guilt of sin. Why would we want to sell ourselves back into that slavery again?

And maybe, just maybe, if we turn and follow Christ’s example of life as service, even sacrifice, for others, the threats we face can be averted.

Stuff?

In one of his books, C. S. Lewis tells a parable of renovating the house of our lives. When we come to Christ, we expect Him to make some changes in our lives; the plumbing needs repair, the kitchen could do with a make-over, and that leaky roof needs to be fixed.

But we suddenly find He is tearing down walls, adding turrets and windows and a general renovation far beyond what we expected. Apparently, He is not willing to live in the dingy cottage we built for ourselves, and is building a mansion fit for His kingly abode.

Every house in our neighbourhood has a double garage. But for many, the vehicles never see the inside because of the “stuff” residing within. I’ll bet some of those owners also have paid storage elsewhere to house more “stuff” they never use!

But as we grow older, we decided to go in the opposite direction and have downsized to a living space of about 550 square feet in the lower level of our current house. We knew we would have to dispose of much “stuff” accumulated over the years after living in spaces three or four times the size.

So a string of garage sales and “Kijiji” offerings took care of most of what we felt we didn’t need. Now, after the move on Saturday, we still have more “stuff” than we can accommodate Most will go to another home that can use it, some will even grace the inside of our trash bin.

I couldn’t help thinking of a reverse parallel with Lewis’s story. We carry so much baggage around the world with us, much of which we never use, and more than we really need, which takes up valuable time, cost, and maintenance, reducing the effectiveness of our lives.

In the same way, we tend to carry much emotional baggage with us, resentment, anger, jealousy—you can add your own list—that serves no useful purpose and mars our ability to live in the gracious and graceful way God intended.

Decluttering our lives is more important than decluttering our homes. Life is so much simpler—not necessarily easier—but certainly happier, when we model our lives after God’s character: compassionate, gracious, patient, loving, faithful, forgiving and just (Exodus 34:6–7).

Rationalization

  

It always amazes me that every evil deed has a good reason for it. Whether it’s a wayward husband who blames his wife for his violent behaviour, or a national tyrant, like Syria’s Assad, who massacres his own people ostensibly to maintain order. A good end apparently justifies any horrific means.

In reality everyone knows the husband is covering up his desire to maintain a perverse lifestyle, or Assad is rationalizing his determination to cling to power. It’s only the deranged and psychopath who take delight in violence and misery for its own sake.

The fact that the majority of evildoers must justify their actions, points to recognition of the depravity of their actions in the first place. This in turn suggests a universal moral code with which even the most wicked can identify.

The Bible indicates that God is aware of the difference between convenient excuses to justify sin and genuine remorse for it. Saul was full of reasons and excuses for his disobedience and prevarication, and it lost him the kingdom; worse still, he forfeited God’s forgiveness.

David sin’s of adultery and murder were greater than Saul’s wiliness, yet he received forgiveness. His repentance was real: “my sin is always before me,” David was haunted by conviction of his sin, making him aware of the sinfulness of his heart: “Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me” (Psalm 51).

Repentance is a condition for forgiveness. Lip service to repentance won’t cut it, yet we practice it often: “Yes it was wrong, but . . .” as we rationalize our wrong behaviour. We feel justified, and the episode is soon and too easily forgotten.

On the other hand, genuine remorse maintains its grip on the sinner; for the Christian who sins against God, it is an agony—until His forgiveness sets him free. As David discovered: “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”

Debt

Two men were bemoaning their financial situation. Said one: “Every time I catch up to the Jones’ they refinance.” “I don’t care about the Jones,” said the other, “I just wish we could afford to live the way we are living now!”

Somehow, we are caught in a belief that we can juggle our way out of debt. On a credit card bill for $182.90 I received this week, a cryptic note in red told me that making a minimum payment of $7.00 each month, at 20% annually, would take four years and four months to pay off the debt.

The danger of revolving credit on plastic is that debt increases silently until only the minimum can be paid each month. Eventually even the interest itself is more than we can afford, so the debt continues to increase, even without more spending.

This is crippling not only large numbers of people, but also an increasing number of countries particularly in Europe. Greece is beyond the ability to ever pay its debts. Spain and Ireland are not far behind, and riots at austerity measures make any recovery more distant and unlikely.

But even worse, the refusal to take whatever measures are necessary to pay the debts, displays an entitlement mentality that cannot comprehend prosperity is earned, not a reward for living. Those who have grown up in prosperous times come to assume it is their right to enjoy it.

In the middle of the last century, as the world rebuilt and restructured following two world wars, western prosperity was built on human hard work to recover from devastation and the accompanying poverty. That in turn provided easier and better living conditions.

Today’s prosperity is built, not on human industry, but on borrowing from the future—have now, pay later. Now is the later when payment must be made; increasingly by individuals, but also by nations. Any failure of the world monetary system will likely be a gradual spreading collapse, not a sudden catastrophe like the Great Depression.

The Bible enjoins us to be debt free, the borrower is always obligated to the lender. Those who are debt free are better able to withstand financial insecurity around them. We never finally paid our mortgage debt until our late sixties. It should have been a primary financial aim in life.