The Learner
Well-Known Member
bowman's outline on the trinity pdf https://www.calvarychapelboston.com/Biblical Basis Trinity Bowman.pdfTHERE IS NO SUCH THING AS HELL.
There is no such thing as eternal torment in the Bible. It exists only in pagan mythology and fear-mongering ideology.
The root word for HELL doesn't come from Holy Writ. It's actually derived from the norse demi-god HEL who was said to be the female guardian of the underworld. HELL is a person in pagan myth, not a place. The root word for HADES is actually the Greek god of the underworld. Again the term refers to a person, not a place. Gehenna was the site of the pagan god MOLECH to whom the Hebrews once sacrificed their living children. Again, the term refers to a pagan personality, not a place. The use of these terms was employed by early translators of Hebrew & Greek text so as to employ fear-mongering attitudes to gain and keep church members. It is not consistent with Biblical context.
The notion of an afterlife or underworld began to infect western ideology in the days of ancient Egypt. It was thought that certain incantations and ceremonies would preserve not only the body but some aspect of the human personality. According to God's Word, there is no part of a human that survives physical death. Ergo, there is no eternal torment.
Surely the fate of human beings is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other. All have the same breath; humans have no advantage over animals. Everything is meaningless. (Ecclesiastes 3:19)
In the first book of the Bible, God tells us that we are finite, that death is the end of the story for all of us.
Then the LORD said, "My Spirit will not contend with humans forever, for they are mortal; (Genesis 6:3a)
In order for one to justify the false dogma of eternal torment one must ALTER the meaning and definition of common words. Words are used to teach truth but words can also be used to twist it into doctrines of demons. Death becomes something other than the end of physical life and the Lake of Fire assumes a quality fire never has in nature. God uses these words to teach physical and spiritual truth. Fire consumes everything as does the grave. There is no suggestion in any definition of the words 'death' and 'fire' that they mean something other than their simplest meaning - absolute termination and utter consumption.
The Old Testament speaks only of SHEOL, a Hebrew word that simply means death and/or the grave. Nothing happens there because death is the absolute cessation of life. But the words of fear-mongering persons suggest something God did not intend. It suggests a terrible experience that goes beyond that which God alone can grant. It suggests humans are endowed with some quality of personality that survives physical death. The Bible denies this....
"who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light" (1 Tim 6:16)
Only God is immortal.
Thus the assertion that there is a permanent quality of human life is false. Indeed even the terms used to describe it derives from pagan religions. But what does the Bible teach us?
In chapter one of book one, the Bible tells us that Eve & Adam were endowed at their creation with the image of God. Two chapters later we are told that both creatures LOST the image because they SINNED against God. It is this LOST IMAGE that condemns humanity to death.
"The soul that sins shall die." (Ezekiel 18:4) "The wages of SIN is death." (Romans 6:23)
Much has been written and argued about the IMAGE OF GOD, but after Genesis chapter 3 we do NOT see it mentioned again until we are informed as to where it resides. It resides in Christ Jesus, NOT US.
"The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation." Colossians 1:15
Therefore it is Christ Jesus who alone possesses immortal life and it is HE who gives it to those who accept HIM. Inasmuch as we are born again (1 Peter 1:23) in Christ Jesus, who cannot lie and who keeps His promises, we can hope for immortal life.
Immortal life is in Christ, NOT in us.
The nature of humanity is to DIE. That's the end of the story for those who refuse God's good mercy toward us, but it isn't necessarily our destiny. For God does not desire that anyone should die, but that all should come to repentance and be saved. Unfortunately as Jesus told us, most will deny and reject this most gracious gift.
Can a dead man be punished for anything? He cannot for the dead know nothing.
Can a living person enjoy the life God gives? As long as God lives so do His promises of immortality for those who accept Christ as their savior.
Nowhere in the Bible is it even remotely suggested that SINNERS are granted immortal life - even for the purpose of punishment.
SINNERS DIE. Therefore the stories of eternal torment are fear-mongering myth.
The IMAGE OF GOD is the source of immortality for humans. Christ alone possesses this quality. Inasmuch as we take Christ into our lives He shall share it with us.
Everybody else dies like dogs and cockroaches.
that's me, hollering from the choir loft...
Friend, try reading something logical and cohesive. Your post was too long and lacks both.