Hell Explained
In this one – week series, Dr. Neufeld unpacks the often difficult and uncomfortable doctrine of Hell. This study will discuss the biblical description of hell, how we can reconcile hell with the God of the Bible, and how it’s important for Christians to reflect on the seriousness of hell.
My first reason for teaching on hell is because an entire generation that has gone to church has never heard a sermon on it and therefore an essential aspect of the Christian faith is disappearing and therefore our faith is also eroding.
Anyone with the mildest sense of compassion for other human beings is horrified with the idea of hell. And the question that sometimes comes to mind is this: What kind of a God would send someone to hell?And it is to this very point that we dedicate today’s message.
At the very least hell is compared to a prison house that includes chains. It is intensely dark and is gloomy. Should we think of this as a literal description or is Peter using images that his readers can relate to. My answer is I don’t know but it is a very depressing picture.
What role does the doctrine of hell play in Christian motivation? If one preaches on hell does it lead to a great many converts? Jonathan Edwards’ famous sermon did not lead to converts at least as far as we know.
I also believe in hell because the very nature of God, His supremacy over all things is the very definition of good and evil and that it is an infinite evil to turn ones back against God. But I have noticed that my salvation means so much more to me when I discover what it is I have been redeemed from.