Should we preach hell? Of course, we should. It's part of the gospel presentation. Jesus did it.
Should we scare people with hell? To some extent, yes! It makes people think. It makes Jesus' death on the cross more important and significant. He sacrificed Himself so we could avoid going to this terrible place. This is the message of the Gospels – yes, of the entire New Testament. In the 12 places in the New Testament where the word 'hell' is mentioned, Jesus mentions it – 11 times. Thirteen percent of what Jesus preached had to do with hell. Every 46th verse in the Gospels deals with this topic. It is part of the gospel presentation:
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
John 3:16 (NKJV)
Hell should motivate us for heaven. We constantly warn people against dangers in car traffic, dangerous countries to vacation in, dangerous weather, and dangerous medications. We let ourselves be scared away from getting involved in certain aspects of life to avoid something worse.
With regard to hell, Jesus says: “But unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:5) (NKJV)
The Book of Revelation describes hell in several places. It is depicted as a terrible place and not, for comparison, just like the difference between economy class and business class on the plane – as some seem to think.
Once I was accused of preaching “too much” about healing. This happened in connection to a meeting at the Cultural Center in Alta. I thought: This accusation will not stand. The culture hall was packed with people. 700 had come to hear the preaching. The local newspaper was present and later wrote a great article about the meeting. I preached a balanced gospel about God's love and justice (something I always do). But this time, I especially emphasized the reality of damnation.
When I asked for a response to the call for salvation, 45 people raised their hands and came forward. The newspaper didn't write anything negative about it. They knew it is part of the Christian faith. This faith that has now disappeared in Christian theology at the University and the Faculty of Theology – and among the bishops in Norway. It leads to a fall from other biblical truths as well.
Research shows that where conservative faith is strong within a people, there is less crime. There are many reasons for why we should preach the Gospel with hell as one of life's two outcomes. First and foremost, so people will be awakened from slumber and to believe in the necessity of the Gospel.
But the preaching of hell should not take anything away from the focus on preaching God’s unlimited grace and love for people. God is good must always be the core and motive of all our preaching.
Should we preach hell? Of course, we should. It's part of the gospel presentation. Jesus did it.
Should we scare people with hell? To some extent, yes! It makes people think. It makes Jesus' death on the cross more important and significant. He sacrificed Himself so we could avoid going to this terrible place. This is the message of the Gospels – yes, of the entire New Testament. In the 12 places in the New Testament where the word 'hell' is mentioned, Jesus mentions it – 11 times. Thirteen percent of what Jesus preached had to do with hell. Every 46th verse in the Gospels deals with this topic. It is part of the gospel presentation:
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
John 3:16 (NKJV)
Hell should motivate us for heaven. We constantly warn people against dangers in car traffic, dangerous countries to vacation in, dangerous weather, and dangerous medications. We let ourselves be scared away from getting involved in certain aspects of life to avoid something worse.
With regard to hell, Jesus says: “But unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:5) (NKJV)
The Book of Revelation describes hell in several places. It is depicted as a terrible place and not, for comparison, just like the difference between economy class and business class on the plane – as some seem to think.
Once I was accused of preaching “too much” about healing. This happened in connection to a meeting at the Cultural Center in Alta. I thought: This accusation will not stand. The culture hall was packed with people. 700 had come to hear the preaching. The local newspaper was present and later wrote a great article about the meeting. I preached a balanced gospel about God's love and justice (something I always do). But this time, I especially emphasized the reality of damnation.
When I asked for a response to the call for salvation, 45 people raised their hands and came forward. The newspaper didn't write anything negative about it. They knew it is part of the Christian faith. This faith that has now disappeared in Christian theology at the University and the Faculty of Theology – and among the bishops in Norway. It leads to a fall from other biblical truths as well.
Research shows that where conservative faith is strong within a people, there is less crime. There are many reasons for why we should preach the Gospel with hell as one of life's two outcomes. First and foremost, so people will be awakened from slumber and to believe in the necessity of the Gospel.
But the preaching of hell should not take anything away from the focus on preaching God’s unlimited grace and love for people. God is good must always be the core and motive of all our preaching.
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