Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

To: ConservativesKilledJesus; All
While I realize that a poster with a screen name claiming that conservatives killed Jesus is an unsubtle troll, I am troubled that beyond a couple of referrals to CS Lewis no one seriously attempted an answer to what, after all, is a perfectly good and very important question. Many people are in that position of stumbling over this issue. I shall offer one possible explanation and challenge others to do likewise.

Our dear troll is quite correct that God is love, and we must start there. He loves every person, even the sinners, which is just all of us. Ultimately, He loves us so much that He grants us our wish, if we insist, to live apart from Him and His heaven permanently. But that choice, once granted, has a serious consequence.

He will no longer be present, in hell, to protect those who insist on being apart from Him. Without that protection, they are vulnerable to the evil people around them. What is to keep Hitler, or Jack the Ripper, or the devil himself from attacking them? For that matter, what is to keep them from attacking others? And, in God's loving economy, such attacks are undeserved.

Even though God is not present, He does not leave them defenseless. If he puts a hedge of fire around each, then that fire prevents them from attacking others. Depending on how evil that person is, then that is how big and hot their hedge is--presumably, Hitler's is a roaring inferno, and Satan's a whole lake of fire. Because they are evil, they do lunge at others, thus encountering the torturous flames, in direct and just proportion to what they deserve.

Now, I assume God's true plan is much better than my poor proposal--perhaps yours is, too. I present this only to demonstrate that there does exist a satisfactory answer for our troll. It is only an answer, not the answer. You do better, if you can.

56 posted on 07/16/2009 6:25:37 PM PDT by Hebrews 11:6 (Do you REALLY believe that (1) God is, and (2) God is good?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]


To: Hebrews 11:6

Nicely put. And you’re right, a serious attempt at an answer was needed in this case. Even for a troll who will probably run back to DU or Kos and have a good laugh about it. Thanks.


60 posted on 07/16/2009 6:49:59 PM PDT by TXBlair (www.ragingelephants.org)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 56 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson