It is a topic I have touched on a number of times in this blog, and I know that this question troubles a lot of people. On the one hand, it is a sign to me that a person asking this about themselves is thinking hard about life choices and how one should live. On the other, it also reminds me that too much Christianity is focused on fear and a God who is more vengeful than loving. Too often, I read or hear the words of those who relish the idea that a lot of people, in their theology, will end up suffering for eternity. I cannot buy into a deity who would feel the same. And while I do believe in positive and negative judgment, I do not believe in a fiery pit that brings excruciating pain forever. If God is good, then punishment must be something else. At least, I hope so.
In my experience, the people who have asked me if they are going to hell are some of the most giving and loving people I have known. They worry that they haven’t done enough, even though they also believe in God’s grace. They can’t seem to shake off the lessons of unworthiness that so many of us learned as children. They still believe in original sin, a concept I rejected long ago as a man-made, guilt inducing lie. They believe that God loves them as long as they keep doing good. They are partly right – God does love them. And all of us should be doing good as much as possible. But it isn’t a contest; doing good is a natural outcome of faithfulness. Those who revel in doing bad things to others need to ask this question about hell, not those who are living generous lives.
I have always believed that hell is much smaller than we have been taught, and that heaven is much bigger than we can imagine. For Jesus, it seemed to be a simple matter: those who care for people in need – for the least among us – as if those people were Him – they go to heaven. Those who don’t do those things – they go to hell. (Cue the Cake song). None of us has any idea who goes to heaven or who goes to hell, so why so much conversation about it? Just follow the rules of human engagement – do good as often as you can, and refrain from evil. Then leave it to God. God is good.
Prayer – Holy God, keep us on the path that does good, so that other people’s lives might be blessed by our generosity. Amen.
Today’s art is “Interwoven Spectrum 01” by Haru Udu.