Friday, October 11, 2002
Commemoration of Ethelburga, Abbess of Barking, 675
Most Christians would agree with C. S. Lewis when he says [of the doctrine of the Final Judgment], “There is no doctrine which I would more willingly remove from Christianity than this, if it lay in my power.” * But we cannot do so, for two reasons: first, because it enjoys the full support of Christ’s own teaching, and second, because it makes a good deal of sense. If the gospel is extended to us for our acceptance, it must be possible also to reject and refuse it. The alternative would be for God to compel an affirmative response.It would be nice to be able to say that all will be saved, but the question arises, Does everyone want to be saved? What would love for God be like if it were coerced? There is a hell because God respects our freedom and takes our decisions seriously, more seriously, perhaps, than we would sometimes wish. God wants to see hell completely empty; but if it is not, He cannot be blamed. The door is locked only on the inside. It is not Christians but the unrepentant who “want” it [to be locked].* C. S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain, p. 106
... Clark H. Pinnock (1937-2010), Reason Enough, Exeter: Paternoster, 1980, p. 116-117 
(see the book; see also John 5:26-30; Job 34:11; Ps. 62:12; Jer. 17:10; Matt. 16:27; Rom. 2:6-10; 2 Cor. 5:10; Gal. 6:8; 2 Pet. 3:9; Rev. 20:12; more at Christ, Hell, Judgment, Repentance, Salvation, Teach)
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Last updated:
10/03/19
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