Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Posts Tagged ‘hell’

How Can You Be Happy If Not With Loved Ones In Heaven?

Posted in Acceptance of Others, Bible, christian living, Kingdom of God, Love of God, tagged , , , , , , on February 15, 2026|

by Mike Edwards

Many believe only those who believe/follow God here on earth will make it to heaven in the afterlife. For contrarian views see: What Religion Leads To Heaven If you don’t believe all have a chance to be in heaven regardless of beliefs here on earth, then how can heaven be a happy place if unbelieving loved ones aren’t allowed in heaven.

At least you don’t have to worry about Hell 

One barrier to happiness is a belief held by many that there is a literal hell where God tortures those in the afterlife who don’t believe while here on earth. The only place one may get such an idea about a loving God is a supposed inspired book by God (Bible). The good news is that a literal hell is unlikely biblically speaking. You don’t have to worry about a loved one being kept alive to be tortured. God creating a literal Hell where people are tortured for billions of years for beliefs held a short time here on earth isn’t possible morally or biblically. See here. See here. Humans wouldn’t even create such a place for our enemies. God or humans can’t possibly be happy in heaven if loved ones are tormented after death forever. If God supposedly has such control over happiness, why not use the same power over rebelliousness?

And, all loved ones may go to heaven eventually even according to the Bible? 

Many may reject universalism because they believe the Bible teaches against it. Many who reject universalism often resort to name calling rather than defending their views – referring to those who reject their claims as heretics. What many may not know is there are many biblical scholars who believe the Bible can be interpreted to teach God saves all eventually. See: All Will End Up Heaven According To The Bible!

The main reason to think God doesn’t accept all in heaven when meeting their Creator is because the Bible supposedly says otherwise. Does God’s loving nature allow stopping to forgive? There are consequences in this life and there may be painful reckonings in the life to come, but a loving God can’t stop showing grace. Why would God undergo a complete character lobotomy after we take our last breath here on earth? Is a thief going to enter Paradise but not others with lesser sins because they weren’t next to Jesus hanging on a Cross right before their last breath? God’s grace doesn’t depend on whether one has more opportunities to respond to God than others. The Bible doesn’t rule out decisions after life here on earth. Even imperfect human parents wouldn’t cut off a child who eventually accepts responsibilities for their actions. Universalism is possible or even probably true because there can’t be a deadline or time limit on God’s love. There isn’t on my love for my children. Am I a better lover than God?  We are told to forgive our enemies as many times as necessary but God doesn’t?

Even the Bible doesn’t rule out decisions after death regarding one’s eternal destination

John 5:25 says that the dead will hear the voice of God and those who hear will live. Verse 29 says those who have done evil will be condemned but we do not know whether repentance will take place. Romans 14:11-12 says: “It is written: As surely as I live, says the Lord, “every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.” So then, we will all give an account of ourselves to God.” Why couldn’t some make a decision at Judgment? I Peter 3:18-20 speaks of Jesus preaching to those in Noah’s day who were disobedient. Preaching is normally for the opportunity to respond.  I Peter 4:6 goes on to say that the dead can live according to God’s spirit. Eternal decisions after death doesn’t diminish the blessings of changing here on earth. A perfect, merciful God can best decide when enough chances are given.

A loving God can’t be a God of chance!

A loving God wouldn’t only let Christians into heaven when the majority of people born into this world died without knowledge of Jesus the Christ. Besides, one’s religion or rebellion against a certain religion is often based on the family born into whether it is Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, etc. No human or spiritual parent brings children into the world requiring that one’s eternal destination is based on circumstances out of one’s control.

What about justice though?

The Bible talks about everyone, whether having faith here on earth or not, will be judged (2 Cor 5:10; Rom 14:12). Punishment doesn’t bring back a victim’s robbed memories of the future due to the murder of a loved one. Justice can be understanding your victim’s pain and accepting the harmfulness of your actions. After death God may seek for all to face every action of betrayal and how it felt to their victims. The cleansing and educative effect may take longer for some than others. Humans, like God may forgive their enemies if they truly regret their actions and seek forgiveness. Justice from a fair, merciful God is possible despite people being given a second chance after death.

Happiness in Heaven possible even if loved one not there

I supposed it is possible some may reject God and Heaven when meeting their Creator and chose final death. So, God may not be able to save all. But, if my loved one sees what God is really like meeting and still reject God, I can better except it is their choice than God rejecting them. I can better accept their death than forcing them to be in heaven is fair and I can be content with that decision.

Mike Edwards was added as a writer and has been a great addition to the site. Mike provides many interesting views and various ways of looking at things. He is not afraid to ask questions and he keeps an open mind as to teachings of the institutional church. Mike also has his own site where he writes at What God May Really Be Like

Read Full Post »

What Do You Tell A Child About Hell?

Posted in Bible, christian living, Love of God, tagged , , , , , , on February 8, 2026|

by Mike Edwards

Okay. My kids are nearing their 40s. What I wish I had said and now have a chance with my grandchildren.

I linked below my last two Posts written about hell.

12 Reasons To Believe Hell Is A Myth!

Why Hell Can’t Be True!

And a Site with several articles about Heaven:

What Religion Goes To Heaven

No one would think a loving God or caring parent would create a place to torture those who didn’t believe while a short time here on earth. Such pain serves no purpose. Most humans wouldn’t even treat their enemies that way. The only reason one may believe in Hell is because it is believed to be claimed to be real in a Book (Bible) that supposedly God inspired (controlled the writers having correct views of God written down). But it turns out the Bible can be interpreted to not believe Hell is a literal place. See articles above.

What I tell a young child about heaven and hell when they bring it up.

Heaven is a place everyone goes after death here on earth to be with God. See link above about Heaven. It case you don’t believe that, you tell your kid Santa Claus is real and surely you don’t believe that is true – overweight guy visits every house in the world in one night on a sled pulled by reindeers and goes down every chimney. You tell them they will always be safe flying, but you don’t know for sure their plane won’t crash.

I may ask a child what they have heard Hell is. I would tell a child Hell is not a literal place. It is sometimes mentioned in the Bible as a place people don’t believe in God’s or don’t want God’s influence- not treating others kindly or like you want to be treated. I tell adults Hell is a metaphor (There is a heavenly or hellish way to live life).

Parents – God’s influence in life is similar to the influence you hope to have in your kid’s life.

Mike Edwards was added as a writer and has been a great addition to the site. Mike provides many interesting views and various ways of looking at things. He is not afraid to ask questions and he keeps an open mind as to teachings of the institutional church. Mike also has his own site where he writes at What God May Really Be Like

Read Full Post »

Why Is Uncertainty About God A Good Thing?

Posted in christian living, Love of God, religion, tagged , , , , , , , on January 11, 2026|

by Mike Edwards

I have written a great deal how I think certainty is the hidden sin among Christians. See: Sin-of-certainty Being so certain about God and what God is really like actually turns many off from God, not towards God. Convincing is the work of God, not humans. The truth is we can’t be certain God exists or there is an afterlife. But I still have faith and hope that God exists and there is an afterlife. Some say they have had a real experience with God to give them total confidence God exists. I don’t doubt them. Just that I and many others haven’t had such an experience.

Uncertainty promotes humility

Certainty about God can easily slide into “I fully understand the divine” which is a very big claim of an invisible God.  Uncertainty keeps us humble and reduces dogmatism and harm in relationships. Uncertainty allows people to say: “I believe, but I acknowledge the unanswered questions.”

Certainty has led to condemning gays, women, and unbelievers

Certainty of one’s interpretation of the Bible can lead to false claims about God’s nature. Hell is surely a message Christians get wrong. I am convinced a literal Hell is a biblical myth.  See here.  We can get wrong that God thinks women can’t serve in the same religious or marriage roles that men can. Another myth in my opinion. See here. Also, we get wrong that God condemns gays according to the Bible. Another myth in my opinion. See here. People reject God based on claims about hell, women, or gays.  Even if you believe the entire Bible is inspired by God, we must admit our interpretations are not necessarily inspired by God.

Absolute certainty about God’s will has sometimes justified:

  • Violence
  • Religious coercion
  • Dehumanizing others

Uncertainty makes room for:

  • Listening instead of forcing
  • Compassion over control
  • Moral self-examination

Uncertainty allows faith to be chosen, not forced

Many thinkers say faith is meaningful because it isn’t certain.

  • If God were as obvious as gravity, belief would be automatic
  • Uncertainty allows belief to be a free response, not compulsion

This idea is sometimes called “faith as trust rather than proof.”

Uncertainly can allow one to become more loving

Some say the question becomes less “Am I correct?” and more “How can I become more loving?”

Uncertainty about God doesn’t mean:

  • No belief
  • No commitment
  • No spirituality

It can mean:

  • Belief held with humility
  • Faith practiced with compassion
  • Openness instead of rigidity

Mike Edwards was added as a writer and has been a great addition to the site. Mike provides many interesting views and various ways of looking at things. He is not afraid to ask questions and he keeps an open mind as to teachings of the institutional church. Mike also has his own site where he writes at What God May Really Be Like

Read Full Post »

Why Do People Reject That God Saves All To Heaven Eventually?

Posted in Bible, christian living, Kingdom of God, Love of God, tagged , , , , , , , , on January 4, 2026|

by Mike Edwards

Universalism is a theological belief that God eventually saves all to go to heaven after death. Some may even experience open-mindedness in the afterlife after meeting their Creator. God never gives up. God’s love is relentless. This doesn’t mean some won’t reject God though it is hard to conceive some rejecting a perfect place such as heaven as opposed to death (Hell is a Myth, See here. ) It is hard to believe but possible that some people, even if they were given infinite chances in eternity, would still reject God forever. But universalism as least means all have final chances after meeting their Creator in the afterlife, to believe and accept God’s ways.

Why universalism makes godly sense 

Does God’s loving nature allow stopping to forgive? There are consequences in this life and there may be painful reckonings in the life to come, but a loving God can’t stop showing grace. Why would God undergo a complete character lobotomy after we take our last breath here on earth? Is a thief going to enter Paradise but not others with lesser sins because they weren’t next to Jesus hanging on a Cross right before their last breath? God’s grace doesn’t depend on whether one has more opportunities to respond to God than others. Even imperfect human parents wouldn’t cut off a child who eventually accepts responsibilities for their actions. Universalism is possible or even probably true because there can’t be a deadline or time limit on God’s love. There isn’t on my love for my children. Am I a better lover than God?  We are told to forgive our enemies as many times as necessary but God doesn’t? 

Universalism seems true even according to the Bible 

Many may reject universalism because they believe the Bible teaches against it. Many who reject universalism often resort to name calling rather than defending their views – referring to those who reject their claims as heretics. What many may not know is there are many biblical scholars who believe the Bible can be interpreted to teach God saves all eventually. See: All Will End Up Heaven According To The Bible!

Universalism seems true because Hell is a myth: 

Many who believe God exists agree God has given us moral intuitions to discern evil from good. We don’t need a Book to know sexual abuse or murder is wrong. God creating a literal Hell where people are tortured for billions of years for beliefs held a short time here on earth isn’t possible morally or biblically. See here. See here. Humans wouldn’t even create such a place for our enemies. God or humans can’t possibly be happy in heaven if loved ones are tormented after death forever. If God supposedly has such control over happiness, why not use the same power over rebelliousness?

Without Hell is there is a reason to consider faith in God here on earth? 

It is implied Hell/fear is necessary to want to follow God. The Bible seems to suggest God seeks to empower us to be the unselfish people we deep down desire to be, not to be fearful of a destiny to be tortured forever in the afterlife. Jesus sought to inspire others to seek God’s help in loving others for the good of the world. Jesus simply commended Zacchaeus for recognizing a journey necessary to avoid personal destruction because of sin. Salvation is not a future destination but a currently reality (Lk 19).  Jesus told the woman who had committed adultery not how to avoid hell but: “go now, and leave your life of sin” (John 8).  Why pursue God without fear? Surely a loving God seeks to encourage us to pursue heavenly than worldly ways here on earth for our own happiness.

What about Justice? 

The Bible talks about everyone, whether having faith here on earth or not, will be judged (2 Cor 5:10; Rom 14:12). Punishment doesn’t bring back a victim’s robbed memories of the future due to the murder of a loved one. Justice can be understanding your victim’s pain and accepting the harmfulness of your actions. After death God may seek for all to face every action of betrayal and how it felt to their victims. The cleansing and educative effect may take longer for some than others. Humans like God may forgive their enemies if they truly regret their actions and seek forgiveness. Justice from a fair, merciful God is possible despite people being given a second chance after death.

Mike Edwards was added as a writer and has been a great addition to the site. Mike provides many interesting views and various ways of looking at things. He is not afraid to ask questions and he keeps an open mind as to teachings of the institutional church. Mike also has his own site where he writes at What God May Really Be Like

Read Full Post »

Why Jesus Didn’t Necessarily Die On Cross As “Payment For Your Sins”?

Posted in Bible, christian living, Jesus follower, Love of God, tagged , , , , , , , on November 23, 2025|

by Mike Edwards

It is said often the main message of the Bible or the gospel is Jesus dying on the cross as a payment for our sin. Jesus took on our punishment so we could be forgiven by God  (Romans 5:8; 1 Peter 2:24). Unbelievers are often advised to pray to God “ I have sinned and fallen short of Your glory, but I believe that Jesus Christ died for my sins. Lord, forgive me and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. Thank You for saving me, for loving me, and for giving me a new beginning.” This couldn’t be the Gospel if Jesus didn’t have to die, but crucifiers choose to kill a supposed liar who felt threatened by Jesus’ influence.

Jesus never said anything about coming to receive punishment for our sins 

There are many theories/interpretations by scholars what Jesus’ death on the cross signifies. So, we can’t know for sure and be dogmatic, but it has always bothered me that the traditional story about the Cross has depicted God as a blood thirsty Deity who can only be satisfied by the death of a child. I am convinced God loved people before Jesus died, and would love people now even if Jesus hadn’t died. The Cross can change our mind about God, not God’s mind about us. Jesus showed love by suffering because of what sin does to you. Jesus won people over by not jumping off the cross. Due to the injustice of the Cross, people live differently. The Cross reveals our ugly, violent nature not God’s violent nature. Death was not Jesus’ mission, but being put to death reveals what God was trying to change – ways of people/evil. 

Biblical prophecy about Jesus isn’t God knowing or predicting the future 

It is natural to think an all-powerful God knows everything including the future. The Bible suggests in many passages that God doesn’t know the future, including Jesus’ crucifixion. For example, in the beginning the writers suggested that an all-powerful Being doesn’t know much less control the future. Genesis 6:5-6 speaks of God regretting decisions: “God saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on earth…God regretted that he had made human beings on the earth and his heart was deeply troubled.” Does God really make regrettable decisions? Other biblical passages refer to God changing their mind depending on what choices humans freely make. It isn’t that God keeps themselves from knowing the future. It’s that an undetermined future is unknowable.

God must love freedom

The only God worth believing in is a loving God. God must be a lover of freedom. Freedom is necessary for the highest good in relationships – authenticity. If God didn’t create freedom, we could accuse God of not creating the “most loving” world. God always respects the freedom to change. God didn’t force anyone to kill Jesus. They could have accepted Jesus’ message. The most talked about prophecies in the Old Testament is the forthcoming of the Messiah Jesus and their subsequent death. But Jesus prayed to God that He might be spared of dying on the Cross (Mt. 26:39). Such prophesies seem wrongly interpreted, because Jesus’ prayer seems meaningless unless Jesus’ life could have been spared. Jesus’ death on the cross was not inevitable because Jesus didn’t have to die.

To insist God required Jesus be murdered on the Cross in place of you isn’t Godly or parental love. Google “theological views of Jesus’ death” for many interpretations about Jesus’ death. Did Jesus and the Romans have no choice but to murder Jesus for an unjust cause? Soldiers die for one another because of a cause they believe in. Jesus thought his message was worth dying for. Jesus accepting death than powering over others may be the reason billions have been influenced to live unselfishly. Jesus wanted to change our attitude about God, not to change God’s attitude toward us. What kind of God sees how the world has turned out and doesn’t just say the Hell with it, but instead enters such a world to experience underserved suffering via the Cross to inspire and relate?

Hell, NO! 

Has the real Gospel been hijacked? Church folks have been told forever that Jesus’ life and death on the Cross was to spare us from going to Hell to appease God’s anger about our sins. Can human, much less spiritual relationships, be built on fear and anger rather than love and grace? No wonder many don’t want to talk to us God-folks. We are too busy trying to save them from a fiery afterlife rather than discussing how God’s presence in our life now helps us become more the person we desire to become deep down. Godly living in this world leads to a meaningful life with less regrets.  The Good News couldn’t be about escaping a fiery, torturous God if such a hell isn’t biblical. See 12 Reasons To Believe Hell Is A Myth!

 What was Jesus main message? 

God doesn’t think we are scum. God doesn’t require violence for justice. Jesus said: “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me” (Jn 14:6). Did Jesus really mean God only saves those who accept Jesus? This verse could easily be interpreted to mean Jesus’ way of life is the best path toward God. The path to God is through love. (See God After Deconstruction, Oord/Fuller Chapter 9). We Christians need to be less condemning and more open to God’s love and message to people of all religions. If Jesus didn’t have to die on the Cross, then Prophecies predicting his death are most likely conditional on how people respond to God. God always respects the freedom to change. God didn’t force anyone to kill Jesus. They could have accepted Jesus’ message.

Mike Edwards was added as a writer and has been a great addition to the site. Mike provides many interesting views and various ways of looking at things. He is not afraid to ask questions and he keeps an open mind as to teachings of the institutional church. Mike also has his own site where he writes at What God May Really Be Like

Read Full Post »

Hell No! Hell Is A Myth!

Posted in Bible, christian living, Love of God, religion, tagged , , , , on August 19, 2025|

by Mike Edwards

I can’t prove Hell or Heaven is real. But, why would we think a loving God would create a place to torture forever those who held certain beliefs while here on earth a short period of time. The only place one might get such an idea that God – lights you on fire and doesn’t let the fire go out – is because many believe a supposed inspired Book by God says so. Of course ancient literature is subject to interpretation. I am convinced Hell isn’t real according to the Bible! A torturous, loving God is an oxymoron.

See links below about Hell, Heaven, and the Afterlife that I have written over the decades. Articles first listed are the most recent articles written. What kind of relationship comes forth when threatened with endless torture if you don’t obey? Maybe God gives second chances, even after death!

Hell No!. Hell Is A Myth!

Mike Edwards was added as a writer and has been a great addition to the site. Mike provides many interesting views and various ways of looking at things. He is not afraid to ask questions and he keeps an open mind as to teachings of the institutional church. Mike also has his own site where he writes at What God May Really Be Like 

Read Full Post »

Does Your View Of God As A Punisher Impact Relationships With God?  

Posted in Bible, christian living, Love of God, tagged , , , , , , , on August 10, 2025|

by Mike Edwards

Many rightly wonder if what Christian leaders claim about God is true. Who can blame them when God supposedly created a place such as Hell, to torture forever those who don’t believe in God a short time here on earth. In these Posts I will propose a question, which can paint one’s view of God, and then will provide a link what I have written before about the topic, I try to keep a page length with bold subtitle. It concerns a question about God that I wish people would be willing to discuss about God, so they could draw their own conclusions than what many Christians claim to be true about God.

I have written that God can’t be all-powerful or controlling and be true to God’s nature. Controlling love is an oxymoron. How can God be all-powerful and creatures have some freedom? Even the Bible claims love does not insist on its own way. (I Cor 13:5) So, God can’t control evil and suffering in the world. If God can’t control the amount of suffering we do or don’t receive, God can’t control the punishment we do or don’t receive. Do we really need to wonder if God is punishing us? It matters if we portray to others if God more loving or punitive!

Does God Really Punish Us?

Read Full Post »

What Do You Think Of When Encouraged To Have A Relationship with “Christ?”

Posted in christian living, Love of God, tagged , , , , , on July 27, 2025|

by Mike Edwards

Most likely know Christ wasn’t Jesus’ last name. Jesus the Christ was referring to Jesus as the Messiah (anointed one). But many think or hear Christ referred to as our “Savior” (aka a ticket from Hell to Heaven). Or dying on the Cross to appease God’s wrath. I would suggest the Bible actually portrays Jesus the Christ differently.

Jesus can’t save us from an non-existent Hell

There is no word in Hebrew or Greek for “hell.” Gehenna, the Greek word translated as Hell in the New Testament, was the name of a real valley near Jerusalem with a history of terrible, ending slaughter. Gehenna is best translated Gehenna just as Mount Everest is best translated Mount Everest. Jesus used Gehenna to illustrate that spiritual death is as tragic as physical death. The idea that a loving God lights you on fire and doesn’t let the fire go out in the afterlife because of beliefs while here on earth for a short time makes no moral sense. Hell isn’t biblical. See 12 Reasons To Believe Hell Is A Myth!

Jesus didn’t die for God’s sake

So, Jesus didn’t die to save you from Hell. The Cross is God’s attempt to save us from ourselves, not from God’s wrath. The Cross was an attempt to change our mind, not God’s. How is killing one child for other children justice? God requiring violence opposes God’s non-violent nature. God didn’t kill Jesus; we did. God seeks to empower us to be the unselfish people we deep down desire to be. Maybe Jesus thought dying unjustly, rather than miraculously jumping off the Cross, revealed evil and God’s willingness to suffer with us and help. Who kills someone for simply claiming to be God? Many of us need to feel forgiven for the behaviors we have committed. God is dying to forgive you of wrong doing in hopes to inspire you to change for your interests and the interests of others. God seeks to earn our love so to encourage us to pursue heavenly than worldly ways here on earth. See Jesus Didn’t Die To Save You From Hell – Why Then?

What kind of God sees how the world has turned out and doesn’t just say the Hell with it, but enters a world to experience underserved suffering via the Cross to inspire and relate?

Biblical Proof Jesus came to save us from ourselves not God

A rich person asked how to have eternal life. Jesus said sell everything and follow me. (Mark 10: 17-31) Surely Jesus’ point was to love people more than possessions. What does following Jesus mean? When asked what was the greatest commandments, Jesus only said to love God and your neighbors (Mark 12:30-31). What! Not drop to your knees and ask for forgiveness! Loving God leads to loving others. Jesus’ main message was living a life worth living.

What is Christlike behavior?

Jesus obviously sought to influence us how to love and influence in our relationships. Jesus didn’t mandate but invited belief to receive such help. Christlike love can be complicated at times.  How do we love an addict? Do we constantly force they get help or do we let them go to hit bottom. Many proclaim the main love behavior is to forgive. I believe there is a time to forgive or not. The Bible may actually support this. See here.  Think of our relationship with Christ not as saving us from hell but challenging us to consider being the person we deep down desire to be toward others, and the way we want others to treat us.

Mike Edwards was added as a writer and has been a great addition to the site. Mike provides many interesting views and various ways of looking at things. He is not afraid to ask questions and he keeps an open mind as to teachings of the institutional church. Mike also has his own site where he writes at What God May Really Be Like 

Read Full Post »

Why Is It Important To Know Hell Is A Myth?

Posted in Bible, christian living, Love of God, tagged , , , , , , on March 2, 2025|

By Mike Edwards

I write a good bit about the topic of Hell to defend biblical and moral reasons to reject. See here.  See here. Polls in the past few years suggest about 60% of Americans believe in Hell as a place many go after their death. I would suggest a large percentage who believe in Hell think it may be a literal place of everlasting torture/suffering. That is a lot of people, when including their relationships, where such views negatively influence others about God’s character. Is God a sadistic torturer? I think it is important to put this view of Hell to bed for many reasons.

Hell gives people a wrong impression of God, thus turning people away 

A loving God couldn’t possibly torture anyone forever since such pain serves no lasting purpose. Humans wouldn’t even create such a place for their worst enemies. Hitler was condemned for torturing millions of Jews; God is said to torture billions unending. The only reason to think a loving God would create such as a place as Hell would be if we believed a Book taught such a horrific thing. It doesn’t. (See links above) If we humans really believed Hell made moral sense, we would never cease from warning our friends to repent to escape Hell.  A moral God can’t be a hellish, sadistic, torturer. 

Hell prevents a genuine relationship with God   

What kind of relationship comes forth when threatened with endless torture if you don’t obey. Are you close to your parents because of fear or respect. Fear doesn’t lead to change but trying to avoid getting caught. God isn’t saving you from Hell, but hoping to help you become more the person you desire to be while here on life. Fear may work temporarily in the religion or political arena, but it can’t last. Jesus came to encourage living a life worth living – not to get you out of Hell. The advantage of a relationship with a loving God is that there is a voice outside imperfect beings – a God who inspires, forgives, and encourages. Genuine changes result when knowing you are deeply loved by a parent or God empowering you to reflect such love to others.

Hell encourages a hidden agenda in our relationships 

Conversations with God-followers often feels like them trying to change your beliefs. We all hate when our partner doesn’t listen and just wants to give advice. Many avoid spiritual discussions because they can smell a hidden agenda a mile away. It’s wrong to engage in friendships with others for the purpose of converting them to believe as you do, without advising upfront your agenda. I was taught God’s good news was saving people from Hell so they could get into Heaven. I was wrong according to Jesus. See here.  All I know to do is to focus on living where actions speak louder than words in case others want to pursue convos about God. God may truly exist! 

Hell can impact one’s view of justice in God’s name 

Many interpret the Quran or the Bible advocating killing Jews or condemning gays respectively, because Allah or God supposedly approves such actions. Extremists don’t acknowledge their interpretation could be wrong or that the writers possibly didn’t understand God perfectly.  God supposedly ordered Israel to commit hundreds of atrocities in the OT – “… put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys.” (I Sam. 15:3) God’s possible justification of violence can lead to imitation of violent solutions such as capital punishment, blowing up abortion clinics, or unnecessary wars in the name of God.  

Hell represents wrongly the main message of the Bible and Jesus

The main message of the Bible and Jesus isn’t about avoiding Hell to get into Heaven. It is so important to know that God cares about you here and now and not about just the afterlife. Jesus spoke of a life worth living being a loving life empowered by God. Jesus’ salvation was about living a meaningful life here on earth with God’s help. The Bible/Jesus/God’s message isn’t dropping to your knees to avoid Hell to go to Heaven after death, but start loving now – a path toward great relationships.  See here.

God only seeks to inspire you to avoid a life full of regrets

I believe Jesus spoke of loving God not to get into heaven but to receive help in loving others as you love yourself now. You may be different than me, but I get help from God in pursuing a life not full of regrets. Try it! It’s on God to come through for you if you choose to follow. Jesus when leaving this earth spoke of having God’s spirit within us. If you refuse to love, you may end up a lonely, regretful soul.

Why Is It Important To Know Hell Is A Myth?

Mike Edwards has been writing for Done with Religion for some time and has been a great addition to the site. He couldn’t find enough people to discuss God openly so he started blogging years ago. Mike also has his own site where he writes that can be found at What God May Really Be Like  He can be contacted by email at: medwar2@gmail.com

Read Full Post »

Getting Saved Isn’t About Going to Heaven or Hell!

Posted in christian living, Kingdom of God, Love of God, tagged , , , , , , , , on January 12, 2025|

By Mike Edwards

I wrote recently here  what might be the greatest misunderstanding about God and getting saved. Christians often emphasize the main message about God and the Bible is avoiding hell and getting to heaven by saying the sinner’s prayer: “God, forgive me for my sins and thank you for dying on the Cross to pay the price for my wrongdoing.” No such prayer is found in the Bible. Recently, I failed to include the greatest objection below to what I am claiming – that the Apostle Paul, who wrote a lot of the New Testament, supposedly spoke of something similar to the sinner’s prayer. It is important because we may be misrepresenting God’s main message to us.

The main message can’t be about avoiding Hell 

I bet if you ask most non-church people what church people say is important about the Christian faith, they will talk about getting saved to go to heaven to avoid hell. The main message can’t be about Hell which doesn’t literally exist. See 12 Reasons To Believe Hell Is A Myth! There is no word in Hebrew or Greek for “hell,” only possibly words used as metaphors to illustrate that spiritual death is as tragic as physical death. The Apostle Paul who wrote most of the NT never refers to Hell. No prophet in the OT warned of Hell as a consequence for behaviors here on earth.

What did Jesus say about eternal life? 

Jesus never spoke of something similar to the sinner’s prayer to make others feel secure about the afterlife. True, he couldn’t talk about the purpose of the Cross since hadn’t happen, but Jesus message seem to be more about the here and now, not trying to terrify you about the afterlife. When Jesus was asked how to have eternal life, Jesus didn’t speak about a physical destiny but life here on earth. (Lk.10:25-37) Jesus simply answered the question “love God and your neighbor,” speaking more about the quality than quantity of life. Jesus elsewhere defined eternal life as beginning in the here and now (Jn 17:3), not what awaited in the afterlife.

When Jesus met his disciples, he only said “follow me.” (Mark 1: 16:17, 2:14) A set of beliefs wasn’t required. The main message to the disciples was living a life worth living. When asked what was the greatest commandments, Jesus only said to love God and your neighbors (Mark 12:30-31). What! Not drop to your knees, pray, and ask for forgiveness! Jesus encouraged loving God because Jesus knew that leads to loving others.  The above interactions are like when Jesus dealt with the women caught in adultery. (Jn. 7:53-8:11) Jesus only encouraged the woman to go and sin no more. He might never see her again. Where was Jesus evangelical spiel?

Didn’t Paul though preach repent to avoid punishment?

It is argued that Paul did say “believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Rm 10:9) Paul recognized Jesus’ death and resurrection, but Jesus’ sacrifice was to draw attention to the Good News already proclaimed by Paul – God’s desire to empower unselfish living. Paul preached about the Kingdom of God being here (Acts). Paul did say “the wages of sin is death.” (Rm. 6:23) But Paul is speaking of spiritual death because Paul is still alive though sin has put him to death. (Rm. 7:11) Paul mentions Heaven twice in Romans, yet says nothing about Jesus dying so we can go to Heaven (Rm. 1:18, 10:6).

God wasn’t so pissed to require Jesus’ death than yours

To insist God required Jesus be murdered on the Cross in place of you isn’t Godly or parental love. Google “theological views of Jesus’ death” for many interpretations about Jesus’ death. Did Jesus and the Romans have no choice but to murder Jesus for an unjust cause? Soldiers die for one another because of a cause they believe in. Jesus thought his message was worth dying for. Jesus accepting death than powering over others may be the reason billions have been influenced to live unselfishly. Jesus wanted to change our attitude about God, not to change God’s attitude toward us. What kind of God sees how the world has turned out and doesn’t just say the Hell with it, but instead enters such a world to experience underserved suffering via the Cross to inspire and relate? 

What really is God’s salvation?

Jesus spoke of a life, worth living, empowered by God, for your good and those you have relationships with. I believe Jesus spoke of loving God not to get into heaven but to receive help in loving others as deep down you wish you could. I get help from God in pursuing a life with less regrets, of being the husband, father, friend, and man I truly want to be. It’s on God to come through for you if you choose to follow. Jesus when leaving this earth spoke of having God’s spirit within us. God’s influence, though invisible, can be the same as a parent who has left this earth that you believed loved you to the fullest. The Bible/Jesus/God’s message isn’t dropping to your knees to avoid Hell to go to Heaven after death, but start loving now with God’s help – a path toward great relationships.  

Getting Saved Isn’t About Going To Heaven Or Hell!

Mike Edwards has been writing for Done with Religion for some time and has been a great addition to the site. He couldn’t find enough people to discuss God openly so he started blogging years ago. Mike also has his own site where he writes that can be found at What God May Really Be Like  He can be contacted by email at: medwar2@gmail.com

Photo For Facebook

 

Read Full Post »

Older Posts »