tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1433428682510068517.post2106637407545218056..comments2024-02-29T19:21:32.831-05:00Comments on Possible Worlds: Objections to Divine Forgiveness and Divine PunishmentRandy Everisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06870605678781409126noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1433428682510068517.post-21350611914505956892014-01-29T11:52:01.608-05:002014-01-29T11:52:01.608-05:00I do know that "Hell," as the intermedia...I do know that "Hell," as the intermediate state between the time of someone's death and the final resurrection at judgment, cannot be physical; their physical bodies are in the ground. I do take a literal view of Hell, in that I believe it is literally real, but I can't be too dogmatic as to what constitutes the precise nature of Hell. The eternal state isn't even quite clear that it's 100% the same physical bodies as humans have now. I think eternal torment consists, fundamentally, in separation from God. I don't know that people will necessarily regret it: I think, perversely, they may actually end up resenting God, and further accrue punishment (or at least, confirming that they are worthy of punishment). Just some speculations. :)Randy Everisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06870605678781409126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1433428682510068517.post-49833305570805469492014-01-28T16:50:42.473-05:002014-01-28T16:50:42.473-05:00OK, thanks. Just as an aside, what's your view...OK, thanks. Just as an aside, what's your view on the nature of eternal punishment? From Daniel 12 we see that "shame" seems to be part of it but just wondering whether you think the New Testament teaches that physical or mental pain is also involved (or maybe both)?.Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1433428682510068517.post-35287338777322404752014-01-27T20:05:27.409-05:002014-01-27T20:05:27.409-05:00Hey James, yes I think you're on the right tra...Hey James, yes I think you're on the right track. My point in the quoted section is to show that it's a bit of a logical issue: God cannot simply permit sin in relation to his being. That's why Christ died--to provide a payment for sins, and to allow us to "partake in the divine nature," as the Bible puts it. This is available to everyone, and so even though it's a logical issue, God has gone to great lengths to allow every person the opportunity to be with Him forever. It's also worth noting that God cannot overcome logical issues, as that would be to deny his nature, as he is the ground of truth and logic.Randy Everisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06870605678781409126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1433428682510068517.post-36557793137951626362014-01-26T18:52:45.295-05:002014-01-26T18:52:45.295-05:00Hi Randy,
You wrote: So why does God get so off...Hi Randy, <br /><br />You wrote: So why does God get so offended that he sends people to Hell for an everlasting time? Well, the answer is because he is holy he cannot be in a right relationship with those who are not holy. As it turns out, any sin committed by anyone is not holy. Therefore, no one can be with God in heaven"<br /><br />I was trying to think how a sceptic might respond to that. The best I could come up with was this: <br /><br />I guess the sceptic might argue that God is being a bit petty, They may point out that us Christians must know of unbelievers who are extremely good people who don't steal, lie, etc., and would certainly never even dream of doing something seriously wrong such as commit adultery or murder someone. They might further note that at least some of these "good" nonbelievers agree with biblical values like not getting drunk & not having sex before marriage and, thus, for all intents and purposes are Christians (in all but name). Why can't these people live in the new heavens and earth with Jesus? Why can't God just "put up" with the "small" sins they commit through eternity?<br /><br />Maybe us Christians might respond by saying it's not just a question of them sinning as such but it's also that they are unrepentant about their sin before God, though they may indeed be repentant towards fellow humans they hurt through their "small" sins. How would you respond to that sort of argument anyway, Randy?Jamesnoreply@blogger.com