Case Dismissed
by Kathy Brown on November 11th, 2009 | 0 comments
Not too long ago I was standing outside on the church steps chatting with one of my children. It dawned on me, and I remarked, that I’d never been to a funeral where the eulogy proclaimed the poor wretch about to be buried was a miserable example of a human and would be going to hell. One of the biggest objections to Christianity is that it bluntly and plainly declares the eternal soul lives somewhere, either in the presence of God or not. Granted, the best time to acknowledge this truth claim is before everyone gathers to say their good-byes, rather than at the service of the deceased.
What is the appropriate response to the question: How could a loving God send anyone to hell? Most people believe that there is some sort of final punishment for the terrible among us. Having assented to the notion there is a standard by which we assess the actions of another, the usual comparative scale presents itself. Someone decides how “good” is good enough to receive a nod of reprieve. Who should that be? Of course, we all want to be that referee. However, thinking about that a little harder should make us very uncomfortable. The alternative is that there is Someone, like us, who is human and understands our existence, who has lived a perfect life and knows the inner motives of everyone. He would be the best candidate to determine the final destination of a soul.
Stepping back a bit, we must consider why anyone would have an idea that there should be ultimate justice in the universe. It obviously stems from a desire to have things fair. Where does that come from? It is such a strong impulse that even a three year old displays it in playtime; it is a given, not something learned. The best explanation is that there are seen and unseen laws that regulate our reality, and when they are violated, sooner or later, there are consequences. Obviously, this means there is a Law-giver whose wisdom is sufficient to oversee the created realms.
So far, we have a Judge and the Law. This combination results in three possible solutions to the problem of evil. We can ignore the whole mess and conclude everyone gets forgiven in the end for their bad behavior. That would be like every traffic offense, from running your neighbor over to driving drunk, is all right. Another solution is that offenders can do “community service.” Good works can compensate for wrongs. Keeping track of the bad and good on the list of life’s daily activities had better be measured accurately and weighed precisely in order that the scales end up balanced. This is the most widely held perspective.
The Bible teaches something entirely unique. The Judge/Lawgiver is absolutely Good. He is entirely Just. And He is also Loving. He neither abandons the Bench nor His statutes, but in a startling turn of events, offers an alternative. It is not mandatory but optional. For anyone who admits their guilt and concurs they deserve the prescribed penalty of death, the Judge will serve the sentence, let the offender go free and the case will be dismissed. This extreme gesture is Grace, undeserved mercy. To refuse this substitution is to choose a destiny that we know all too well here on earth: an existence where mankind is left to his own designs.
How could a loving God send anyone to hell? A Biblical worldview holds that the Creator passionately pursues each that He has created and wants no one to perish. Hell is a place devoid of the Essence of what we want most and cannot be attained through our own efforts; rather than being sent there, we gravitate to it by own willful, prideful inclinations.
From the Word of God:
"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9
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