Evangelicals, could you be happy in Heaven if you knew

[Elijah John]

This topic is primarily addressed to those who adhere to exclusionary theologies, such as Evangelical Christians and Fundamentalists. Those whose favorite verses include John 14.6 and consider everyone but "Born Again" Christians to be "lost".

For debate, could you be happy in Heaven if you knew your loved ones (spouse, parents siblings, friends, etc) were being tortured forever in hell, simply for believing the "wrong" things about Jesus, and not "accepting Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Savior"? Say, if a loved one was a heretic, an atheist, or converted to another religion, such as Judaism, Taoism, or Islam?

Or is it possible that God is far more wise, compassionate and merciful than your theology or pastor teaches? That He has other, far more compassionate ways to punish and/or rehabilitate in the afterlife, or in the world to come?

OR that He doesn't even reward or punish based on "right" or "wrong" belief", but on actions and attitudes of heart towards our fellow humans?

[ttruscott]

Does "tormented" equate with "tortured", and therefore to be rendered"judged" or similarly?

Judgement has a tormenting aspect to it or it is useless. But it is not torture.

Torment : Collin's Dict:
A torment is something that causes extreme suffering, usually mental suffering. Sooner or later most writers end up making books about the torments of being a writer. ie, Outdoors, mosquitoes and midges were a perpetual torment. Synonyms: trouble, worry, bother,

Without torment at some level a judgement is useless. I think the outer darkness will feel worse than a torment but torture is a legal word that does not apply and is only chosen for its prejudicial implications.

[Checkpoint]

Does "tormented" equate with "tortured", and therefore to be rendered"judged" or similarly?

Judgement has a tormenting aspect to it or it is useless. But it is not torture.

Torment : Collin's Dict:
A torment is something that causes extreme suffering, usually mental suffering. Sooner or later most writers end up making books about the torments of being a writer. ie, Outdoors, mosquitoes and midges were a perpetual torment. Synonyms: trouble, worry, bother,

Without torment at some level a judgement is useless. I think the outer darkness will feel worse than a torment but torture is a legal word that does not apply and is only chosen for its prejudicial implications.

Fair points.

Negative or punitive judgment is itself a form of torment, which evokes torment in those so judged, who then react accordingly.

Jesus portrays those reactions as "weeping and gnashing of teeth".

[tam]

Peace to you!

[Replying to post 1 by Elijah John]

For debate, could you be happy in Heaven if you knew your loved ones (spouse, parents siblings, friends, etc) were being tortured forever in hell, simply for...

Would the reason really matter?


You are not talking about exclusion or the second and eternal death (and nothing more than judgment and death is needed; anything else is - if you'll forgive the pun - 'overkill'). You are talking about the doctrine of hell in which people are tormented for all eternity. Never ending. Ever. For all time.

[Checkpoint]

Peace to you!

[Replying to post 1 by Elijah John]

For debate, could you be happy in Heaven if you knew your loved ones (spouse, parents siblings, friends, etc) were being tortured forever in hell, simply for...

Would the reason really matter?


You are not talking about exclusion or the second and eternal death (and nothing more than judgment and death is needed; anything else is - if you'll forgive the pun - 'overkill'). You are talking about the doctrine of hell in which people are tormented for all eternity. Never ending. Ever. For all time.

That is, talking about the character of the only true God, who is love, and that of His beloved Son, who is the way, the truth, and the life.