St Luke's Church Eccleshill - Articles from "The Link"

Our "Questions to the clergy" slot is for you to ask anything you want. No question will be ducked because it's too difficult or controversial!

Is there a hell, and who goes?

Q. Do you believe there really is a hell? If so, do suicides, people who have humanist funerals, and mass murderers go there?

A. Yes, I do believe there really is a hell. The basic reason I believe it is that's what Jesus taught. Seeing as Jesus is the only person who ever came back from the grave, I believe he knows what he's talking about when he tells us what lies beyond our deaths.

Jesus spoke quite a lot about hell, and warned people to avoid it. Last year I wrote a poem about one thing he said (Luke 16:19-31 - Oct 2003, page 11), and he said lots of similar things.

Some people say Jesus was just using scare-tactics to tell people the importance of turning back to God, and he didn't really mean the threat. But I think Jesus was a truthful chap, and he meant what he said.

I've heard it said "Isn't hell just extinction - nothingness - limbo?" But Jesus talks of agony and regret.

Some people once asked Jesus "Lord, will only a few people be saved?" (Luke 13:23). I believe that when he said: "Strive to enter by the narrow door, for many will try and not be able", he meant what he said - that many would not enter heaven. I believe likewise that he meant what he said in "The gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and many go that way" (Matthew 7:14)

About your question of suicides, people used to think that suicide was an unforgivable sin, but so far as I can see the bible doesn't actually say this. Nor is mass murder an unforgivable sin. In fact, the great secret of the bible's teaching on God's judgement is this: none of us deserves to go to heaven, for we have all sinned and we fall short of God's standards. But Jesus died to take the penalty of our sins, so we can all be forgiven and have the punishment we deserved taken off us. And it's up to us: everyone who repents and puts his/her faith in Jesus has eternal life.

Your question about humanist funerals is very perceptive. I'm afraid the bible doesn't allow me to look into anyone else's heart - only my own. I believe each of us can be absolutely sure of going to heaven to be with God, not because of good works but because we have put our trust in Jesus. When someone has specifically requested a humanist funeral it does strongly suggest that such a person isn't putting his/her trust in Jesus. But you never know: they may be doing it for various other reasons. Only God knows their hearts. I trust him to judge justly.

John Hartley

	*St Luke's Church, Eccleshill - The Link* magazine** The Link is published monthly at 40p (Senior Citizens 35p), and we deliver free within the parish and post copies (at the reader's expense) to those who request it. Please contact us if you would like a free copy for a trial period. January 2004, Page 8.
Home Page. Index of articles: by subject, by date. In this issue: (January 2004) Vicar's letter, United service, 1000 badges, Prayer works, Hell? Other questions.	Our "Questions to the clergy" slot is for you to ask anything you want. No question will be ducked because it's too difficult or controversial! Is there a hell, and who goes? Q. Do you believe there really is a hell? If so, do suicides, people who have humanist funerals, and mass murderers go there? A. Yes, I do believe there really is a hell. The basic reason I believe it is that's what Jesus taught. Seeing as Jesus is the only person who ever came back from the grave, I believe he knows what he's talking about when he tells us what lies beyond our deaths. Jesus spoke quite a lot about hell, and warned people to avoid it. Last year I wrote a poem about one thing he said (Luke 16:19-31 - Oct 2003, page 11), and he said lots of similar things. Some people say Jesus was just using scare-tactics to tell people the importance of turning back to God, and he didn't really mean the threat. But I think Jesus was a truthful chap, and he meant what he said. I've heard it said "Isn't hell just extinction - nothingness - limbo?" But Jesus talks of agony and regret. Some people once asked Jesus "Lord, will only a few people be saved?" (Luke 13:23). I believe that when he said: "Strive to enter by the narrow door, for many will try and not be able", he meant what he said - that many would not enter heaven. I believe likewise that he meant what he said in "The gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and many go that way" (Matthew 7:14) About your question of suicides, people used to think that suicide was an unforgivable sin, but so far as I can see the bible doesn't actually say this. Nor is mass murder an unforgivable sin. In fact, the great secret of the bible's teaching on God's judgement is this: none of us deserves to go to heaven, for we have all sinned and we fall short of God's standards. But Jesus died to take the penalty of our sins, so we can all be forgiven and have the punishment we deserved taken off us. And it's up to us: everyone who repents and puts his/her faith in Jesus has eternal life. Your question about humanist funerals is very perceptive. I'm afraid the bible doesn't allow me to look into anyone else's heart - only my own. I believe each of us can be absolutely sure of going to heaven to be with God, not because of good works but because we have put our trust in Jesus. When someone has specifically requested a humanist funeral it does strongly suggest that such a person isn't putting his/her trust in Jesus. But you never know: they may be doing it for various other reasons. Only God knows their hearts. I trust him to judge justly. John Hartley
Top of page.	This web page was last updated on 19th December 2003.