I have a problem with this and I’m likely one in a line of countless people that have had these types of questions.
Christian theology teaches:
1. God created everyone ex nihilo. He brought into everyone from not existing to existence, designed each one of us from the ground up, loved us, and sent us to earth knowing exactly the decisions we would make.
2. Final judgement will result in the righteous in heaven and the wicked burning in Hell. Both being for eternity.
At its core, my question is why would he bring people into existence only to have them burn for eternity?
Some responses I have heard.
Diamond on black backdrop: The diamond shines brighter and more magnificent when placed against a black background. Hell is needed to show how great heaven will be.
I find this as an interesting take on the trolley problem. Build a trolley and willingly choose to have it Torture 9 out of 10 people for eternity so 1 out of 10 people can live in joy for all eternity.
God does not make us sin: But he did make us to sin. We did not exist, then He breathed life into us and made us the way we are and placed us in a position on earth where he knew we would not accept him and go to hell.
We shouldn’t be asking this question: The question itself causes us to doubt and distrust God, so we shouldn’t ask it.
I appreciate the sentiment, but it doesn’t answer the question
We don’t know: I can buy this one. I don’t love it, but I am not so prideful to say that I have as much understanding as God. His ways are above mine.
Is it loving to have the wicked burn in hell for eternity instead of never having existed? Instead of burning, could he not just strip the wicked of existence and put them back into the place they were before having been made?
Christian theology teaches:
1. God created everyone ex nihilo. He brought into everyone from not existing to existence, designed each one of us from the ground up, loved us, and sent us to earth knowing exactly the decisions we would make.
2. Final judgement will result in the righteous in heaven and the wicked burning in Hell. Both being for eternity.
At its core, my question is why would he bring people into existence only to have them burn for eternity?
Some responses I have heard.
Diamond on black backdrop: The diamond shines brighter and more magnificent when placed against a black background. Hell is needed to show how great heaven will be.
I find this as an interesting take on the trolley problem. Build a trolley and willingly choose to have it Torture 9 out of 10 people for eternity so 1 out of 10 people can live in joy for all eternity.
God does not make us sin: But he did make us to sin. We did not exist, then He breathed life into us and made us the way we are and placed us in a position on earth where he knew we would not accept him and go to hell.
We shouldn’t be asking this question: The question itself causes us to doubt and distrust God, so we shouldn’t ask it.
I appreciate the sentiment, but it doesn’t answer the question
We don’t know: I can buy this one. I don’t love it, but I am not so prideful to say that I have as much understanding as God. His ways are above mine.
Is it loving to have the wicked burn in hell for eternity instead of never having existed? Instead of burning, could he not just strip the wicked of existence and put them back into the place they were before having been made?