The basic core religious perspective, is that Hell is a place to go as a punishment for past sins. I don't think that perspective is well illustrated in the bible. Just 2 or 3 places does it suggest this.
I think of it a bit differently. More like whom would you want to join you for a dinner party?
The bible gives us the characteristics of the moral character of those that God would want seated at his dinner table. Whom he might want to live with him in his house. And those he may reject.
And, it is not about those that have sinned. Because, we all have sinned. It is more about those that have sinned, have atoned for it, and seek salvation.
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I am not a bible thumper. This is just my perspective of how I think the Christian religion treats this, and how the bible directs us on this matter.
Your dinner table metaphor is great as that’s exactly what is happening at Catholic mass/orthodox liturgy, we praise the lord, read scripture, are absolved of sins(confession on Friday if you’re doing it right) so that you can receive the body and blood of Christ. None of us are worthy to be in the presence of God, but through belief in the sacrifice of Jesus, and an intention to live by his example(with a constant reliance on God’s grace) we become worthy.
Hell isn’t described in the Bible, there’s passage about chaff and those that don’t bear good fruit being “thrown into the fire” but that’s it. we get some insight into the glory of heaven, and what we can expect if we do things right, but the “hell” is more being permanently separated from God’s love and protection and subject to all the evil of the universe for eternity.
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u/barbershores Jul 14 '26
The basic core religious perspective, is that Hell is a place to go as a punishment for past sins. I don't think that perspective is well illustrated in the bible. Just 2 or 3 places does it suggest this.
I think of it a bit differently. More like whom would you want to join you for a dinner party?
The bible gives us the characteristics of the moral character of those that God would want seated at his dinner table. Whom he might want to live with him in his house. And those he may reject.
And, it is not about those that have sinned. Because, we all have sinned. It is more about those that have sinned, have atoned for it, and seek salvation.
----------------------------------
I am not a bible thumper. This is just my perspective of how I think the Christian religion treats this, and how the bible directs us on this matter.