“More merciful than what/who? Where did you get the idea God wants to punish us?”
I don’t think God wants to punish us. That comes from the Bible:
“45 Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me. ’ 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life (Matthew 25:45-46 ESV)”
“God doesn’t send people to hell, they choose it.
Only those who refuse accountability play the dumb act of willfully not believing there is a hell.”
My question is not about the existence of a hell; it is about it’s nature: eternal burning in physical fire. I don’t think we burn is physical fire forever for a bad life.
I also think faith does not include the cessation of critical thought.
HIS ENEMIES, YES!! And who are His enemies? Those who don't BELIEVE Jesus HIS Son. HIS SON is THE WORD made flesh. You seem oppose to THE WORD as His Word clearly describes hell and who HE made it. People choose it by allowing themselves to be deceived - God NEVER sends anyone there. It was made only for satan and his demons. You don't know that because you choose not to know it. You rather 'critical think' your way through life.
My question is not about the existence of a hell; it is about it’s nature: eternal burning in physical fire. I don’t think we burn is physical fire forever for a bad life.
A bad life? A bad life is produced only by those who DO NOT BELIEVE JESUS and, therefore, are void of The Truth that salvation is a GIFT and has NOTHING to do with works. And that's for starters. You don't believe that Truth a mountain more will follow - man/evil has it's bagful just go to them instead of GOD ALONE, HIS WORD ALONE.
"For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the GIFT of God: NOT of works, lest any man should boast."
I also think faith does not include the cessation of critical thought.
You are speaking of natural faith of man which includes what you see, hear, touch, etc. Which 'man made teaching' believers have. You use 'your faith' to question God. The faith of God BELIEVES HIM because they KNOW HIM. Save your critical thoughts for man and their teachings.... NEVER GOD/HIS WORD.
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do NOT lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight."
"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the Lord."
"For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts."