The traditional view of hell is increasingly fading into obscurity. Thank you Jesus! Even for those ministers who still believe in such a dreadful action by a loving God, they seldom preach it. Simply put, it’s not only bad theology, it’s not GOOD NEWS. How can one match eternal hell with th moral goodness of God? Torturing people forever is an action easier to associate with Satan than with God; however, here is what some historical fathers and documents have had to say about hell- that you seldom hear today.
Our church fathers were all over the place early on. Eternal hell was found in Tertullian, annihilation was found in the Didache, and universalism was spoken by Origen. But, here’s where the traditional lunch landed unfortunately. And where my observation says this is NOT God!
1-”If anyone says that the punishment of devils and wicked men is temporary and will eventually cease, let him be anathema.” ( Constantinople, 543CE)
2-”The wicked may expect perpetual punishment.” ( The Fourth Lateran, 1215CE)
3-”Anyone who is unrepentant will be tormented forever in the fires of everlasting hell.” (Pope Innocent IV 1224CE)
4-”O sinner, you hang by a slender thread, with flames of divine wrath flashing about it, and ready every moment to singe it, and burn asunder.” (Jonathan Edwards 1755CE)
5-”Punishments of the damned in hell forever is the truth.” (Vatican I 1870CE)
As Clark Pinnock so adequately said, “Given the cruelty attributed to God by the traditional doctrine, it is inevitable that sensitive Christians would always wonder if the doctrine is true.” Wonder no more- it is NOT who Jesus said abba Father was. Or as D. P. Walker ((1914-1985 an English historian and author) put it, “The doctrine of an eternal hell which was once in full bloom is now dropping it’s petals”.
Jesus, Paul, and John (not to be confused with Peter, Paul, and Mary) got it right. God is love! And hell surely is not!
Enjoy it! Enjoy Him! 
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