You’ve heard that Pope Francis may not believe in the existence of Hell, but all Catholics should hope he is wrong. Why? The simple reason is this: Take away Hell, and you have taken away human freedom, dignity, and the imago Dei (Genesis 1.27).
It’s relatively simple, also, to understand why some theologians believe the Divine Caritas trumps human choices, even the fundamental choice of turning away from Him. If God is Perfect Love, after all, then it follows that God forgives those who “sin against the Holy Spirit.” Love, it is asserted, is Perfect when it forgives all and ignores how a person’s life has been lived.
In fact, this cannot be Perfect Love. Such Love does not ignore the unique dignity of the creature He made in his “own image and likeness.” Strip the person of his freedom to choose separation from God, even eternal separation, and you have lowered him to the level of farmyard animals.
Imagine meeting St. Peter at the gates of Heaven and finding out that nothing you choose, either for good or ill, made any difference in your eternal destiny, that all your efforts to live a good life and avoid evil had nothing to do with your being there. You realize your entrance to Paradise was guaranteed all along by God’s Perfect Love.
In other words, God does not want you to suffer eternal punishment. If so, what happens to the meaning of Christ’s Crucifixion? How can his voluntary death be seen as an act of love, an act belonging to Divine Will? If God does not will the creatures created in his image, why would he submit Himself to paying for sins that don’t really matter?
If Hell does not exist, both Good Friday and Easter make no sense — our human destiny has always been secured by the nature of God, His Perfect Love.
To my mind, the latest “mistranslated” remark of Pope Francis is the most perplexing of all since it cuts to the heart of what it means to be a Christian.
It does not perplex me. A denial of hell is a denial of what Jesus said and what He came to do. It is from the devil’s playbook. The media and it’s many servants have been misquoting the Pope and stirring up chaos within the Church. They’ve been working overtime. And sadly their agents attain powerful places and platforms. Praying Pope Francis is guided by the Holy Spirit in every way even casual conversations with our enemies. Thanks for writing this Deal.
Deal – I mean no offense, although the tone of my post is rather strong. I would very much like to see some answers to my questions. I think they are more than reasonable questions.
This is utter baloney. First of all, those who believe in universal salvation do not deny the existence of torment after death for those who have pursued wickedness in this life. Secondly, the death of Christ, contrary to screwed-up Western Augustinian theology, was not to pay off some “punishment” to God for our sins. It was to redeem fallen mankind by assuming our nature and putting it back on a course to God.
Some questions you eternal hellists need to answer for yourselves:
1 What kind of monster creates sentient beings capable of suffering and pain, knowing that they will fall and thus be condemned to suffer eternally? This is a description of the pagan “gods” and their vengeful attitudes rather than the God who is love and came in the Person of Jesus Christ to rescue us.
2. Scripture states unequivocally that it is God’s will that all be saved. Not a few and not the “elect” as Calvinist heretics teach, but ALL. Every single human being that ever lived. Now if anything can disrupt the express will of God, then we are in a real problem. If even one thing, including the so-called sovereignty of our free-will, can keep God’s will from happening, then what assurance can you give me that the devil might not be able to win after all?
3. The picture of millions (billions) of souls eternally separated from God makes the Cross a complete and utter failure. It means that God really didn’t mean to save all, as St. Paul affirms (Romans 5: 18-19), that Satan can gloat for the rest of eternity that he actually, in some small measure, defeated the plan of God, and that God is unable to bring to pass His all-holy will.
4. If this truly is the end of all who persist in sin, and if God loves all mankind and wills that all be saved, then how is it that God allows the devil to tempt, trick, and triumph over mankind to our personal destruction? Why does God not give to all mankind, to every human being, a personal knowledge of Himself that would bring people to Himself? Why even allow temptation if it will result in damnation such as stated in this article? This again is action which is inconsistent with the expressed will of God that all – ALL – be redeemed.
5. If sin and death will be finally defeated and no longer exist in the New Jerusalem of the Kingdom, then how can there be a hell where people continue to sin by hating God and cursing Him and His very existence? Doesn’t make sense to me. God literally maintains souls in a state of open and defiant rebellion against Him for all eternity, yet we are told that sin and death no longer exist. Now which is it?
7. How do I love such a fearful God who would do such things to poor human creatures? I am but a terrible sinner myself, and despite my best efforts and going to the Sacrament of Confession, I continue to sin. This vision gives me no hope and certainly does not make me feel like I have a loving heavenly Father.
8. What vision of God and the afterlife is given by St. Aquinas’s wretch description of God and the redeemed looking into hell and ENJOYING the suffering of sinners because it brings glory to God?
Okay, all you hellists. I’m waiting for some answers.
Edward, my answers are in CAPS, Deal
1 What kind of monster creates sentient beings capable of suffering and pain, knowing that they will fall and thus be condemned to suffer eternally? This is a description of the pagan “gods” and their vengeful attitudes rather than the God who is love and came in the Person of Jesus Christ to rescue us. I THINK IT’S A MATTER OF COMMONSENSE THAT HUMANS PERSONS ARE CAPABLE OF SUFFERING AND PAIN — CHILDBIRTH, MAKING A LIVING, HEARING RAP. REGARDING POSSIBLE GOD’S ‘FOREKNOWLEDGE,’ IT WOULD IN NO WAY CAUSE A PERSON TO MAKE THE CHOICES HE/SHE MAKES. I MAY KNOW MY SON WILL GET DRUNK ON A GIVEN EVENING, BUT I DIDN’T CAUSE HIM TO, IT’S THAT I KNOW HIM THAT WELL. IF JESUS CHRIST CAME TO RESCUE US, I WOULD WONDER, ‘FROM WHAT?’ SINCE YOUR ALL-LOVING GOD HAS ALREADY CHOSEN TO HAVE EVERYONE ADMITTED INTO HIS ETERNAL PRESENCE. HIS SON’S SACRIFICE BECOMES UNNECESSARY.
2. Scripture states unequivocally that it is God’s will that all be saved. Not a few and not the “elect” as Calvinist heretics teach, but ALL. Every single human being that ever lived. Now if anything can disrupt the express will of God, then we are in a real problem. If even one thing, including the so-called sovereignty of our free-will, can keep God’s will from happening, then what assurance can you give me that the devil might not be able to win after all? OF COURSE, IT IS GOD’S WILL THAT ALL BE SAVED, BUT GOD MADE HUMAN PERSONS CAPABLE OF REJECTING THE CREATOR. THIS IS A SIMPLE FACT OF THE HUMAN CONDITION AS GOD CREATED US, “IN HIS IMAGE AND LIKENESS.” PERSONHOOD ITSELF MEANS BEING CAPABLE OF CHOOSING TO LOVE AND RECEIVE LOVE. I CAN’T ASSURE YOU THAT THE DEVIL WILL NOT ‘WIN’ BECAUSE THAT’S NOT THE RELEVANT ISSUE. WHAT MATTERS IS HOW THE INDIVIDUAL PERSON CHOOSES TO ORIENT HIS/HER LIFE: TOWARDS THE CREATOR, THE FINAL GOOD, OR REJECT HIM.
3. The picture of millions (billions) of souls eternally separated from God makes the Cross a complete and utter failure. It means that God really didn’t mean to save all, as St. Paul affirms (Romans 5: 18-19), that Satan can gloat for the rest of eternity that he actually, in some small measure, defeated the plan of God, and that God is unable to bring to pass His all-holy will. EDWARD, THIS QUESTION REALLY MAKES NO SENSE TO ME. GOD OFFERS SALVATION THROUGH HIS SON, BUT THAT SALVATION REQUIRES PERSONAL ASSENT. IF THERE ARE THOSE WHO REFUSE ASSENT, IT IN NO WAY MEANS GOD DID NOT MEAN TO OFFER SALVATION TO ALL. HE GIVES US A CHOICE BECAUSE THAT IS HOW HE CREATED US.
4. If this truly is the end of all who persist in sin, and if God loves all mankind and wills that all be saved, then how is it that God allows the devil to tempt, trick, and triumph over mankind to our personal destruction? Why does God not give to all mankind, to every human being, a personal knowledge of Himself that would bring people to Himself? Why even allow temptation if it will result in damnation such as stated in this article? This again is action which is inconsistent with the expressed will of God that all – ALL – be redeemed. EDWARD, I DON’T SHARE YOUR DEVIL-CENTRIC VIEW OF SIN. SATAN IS A FALLEN ANGEL AND HOLDS NO PARTICULAR POWER OVER US. SATAN ‘REPRESENTS’ THE POWER OF ANY FINITE THING TO BECOME A PERSON’S FINAL END — PLEASURE, WEALTH, SUCCESS, ETC. (THINK OF THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS.) YOU MISUNDERSTAND ‘THE EXPRESSED WILL OF GOD’ IF YOU SEPARATE THE SALVIFIC ORDER FROM THE CREATED ORDER, THE MORAL FROM THE ANTHROPOLOGICAL.
5. If sin and death will be finally defeated and no longer exist in the New Jerusalem of the Kingdom, then how can there be a hell where people continue to sin by hating God and cursing Him and His very existence? Doesn’t make sense to me. God literally maintains souls in a state of open and defiant rebellion against Him for all eternity, yet we are told that sin and death no longer exist. Now which is it?
YES, GOD CREATED THE HUMAN PERSON AND GIVES US THE GIFT OF EXISTENCE WHICH HE DOES NOT TAKE AWAY WHEN WE SIN OR WHEN WE ARE ETERNALLY SEPARATED FROM HIM. YOU ARE CONFUSING THE PROMISE OF A FUTURE ‘KINGDOM OF GOD’ ENJOYED BY THOSE HAVE SOUGHT TO LOVE GOD AND SEEK HIM AS THE FINAL END. SIN AND DEATH WILL NOT EXIST IN THAT KINGDOM. IN HELL, THERE IS NO DEATH EITHER, BUT THEIR IS THE PERSISTANCE OF SIN.
YOU SKIPPED NO. 6
7. How do I love such a fearful God who would do such things to poor human creatures? I am but a terrible sinner myself, and despite my best efforts and going to the Sacrament of Confession, I continue to sin. This vision gives me no hope and certainly does not make me feel like I have a loving heavenly Father.
YOU CONTINUE TO SIN, AS DO I AND ALL CHRISTIANS. WE LIVE IN AN IMPERFECT STATE THOUGH IT IS MADE LESS IMPERFECT THROUGH FAITH AND THE SACRAMENTS. TEENAGERS LEARN TO LOVE THEIR PARENTS DOWN THE ROAD WHEN THEY REALIZE THEIR PARENTS DID NOT GIVE THEM ALL THEY ASKED FOR, OR EVEN PUNISHED THEM, IN ORDER TO SHAPE THEIR LIVES AND CHARACTERS. YOU CONCEPT OF LOVE NEEDS MORE SELF-SCRUTINY — TRUE FORGIVENESS IS GIVEN WHEN THE PERSON BEING FORGIVEN ACKNOWLEDGES THE NEED AND ASKS FOR IT. THEN THERE IS HEALING. FORGIVING SOMEONE WHO DOESN’T GIVE A DAMN IS GOOD FOR THE PERSON FORGIVING BUT HAS NO IMPACT ON THE FORGIVEN.
8. What vision of God and the afterlife is given by St. Aquinas’s wretch description of God and the redeemed looking into hell and ENJOYING the suffering of sinners because it brings glory to God? NO ONE WHO HAS RECEIVED THE GRACE OF GOD ON HIS/HER KNEE WOULD ENJOY THE SUFFERING OF A SINNER WHETHER TEMPORAL OR ETERNAL. HE/SHE MAY HOPE SUCH TEMPORAL SUFFERING LEADS TO A LIFE-CHANGING DECISION OR GREATER SELF-KNOWLEDGE BUT NEVER A SENSE OF SPITEFUL REVENGE.
Okay, all you hellists. I’m waiting for some answers. I’VE NEVER BEEN CALLED A ‘HELLIST’ BEFORE, OH WELL…..:)
Great answers, Deal. I think it was St. Augustine who said that God created you without you, but He will not save you without you.
Far be it from me to suggest that the pope’s apparent annihilationism is anything but evil, however I am skeptical of your argument here. I am skeptical because freedom to do evil is no true freedom at all. Freedom as license to do whatever it is we choose is I think an error. Earlier times found the most free persons to be those which fully expressed their natures. This can be compelled in the same way that a garden can be so that it grows beautiful flowers.
To hold freedom as an absolute good as your argument does I think is an error bespeaking infection by Liberalism and its doctrines.
We all are infected. Peace
Steven, you are confusing two different uses of the word ‘freedom.’ I was using freedom as a description of the capacity of intellect and will to choose between good and evil, God or Satan (meaning, against God). That’s how a theological anthropology describes the difference of the person (whether the human person or angelic person) from the lower creatures who lack such freedom. You rightly describe the problem of positing freedom as an absolute good in the moral sphere where ‘freedom’ is used to describe the state of a person choosing God as his final end. A person is only true free, in the moral sense, when seeking God. ‘Bondage’results from choosing to seek some finite thing as a final end. Best, Deal
G
pray that all souls will accept God’s love and grace. Meanwhile, the tension that the idea of hell causes me is a good thing. So I pray for all in the hope that all will return to the arms of our loving God.
I doubt the Pope said this, it is either a misquote or done purposefully. this pope is not unorthodox, he just needs to learn not to speak sometimes, or tweet.
Dear Mark, this pope – sorry to say – is very unorthodox. Just think of Amoris Laetitia, his words on Luther, his words on hell (this is already the third time he denies the existence of hell ), his words on the Islam, his false notion of mercy, etc. etkc. How many bombshells are needed before everybody will see the destructiveness of pope Francis?