So I heard a story earlier this week about a famous Pentecostal pastor who recently decided that there was no hell. That any god who would "suck people" into eternal burning is a monster..."worse than Hitler." He just could not believe that the God who sent Jesus could be that way--there must not be a hell.

The story really hit me. I mean I felt for the guy. As he began to write books about and preach this false teaching he lost hundreds, maybe thousands, of members more friends money and prestige. The change in thinking occurred to him as he watched a story about families dieing in a struggle in Africa. His heart ached for lost people, knew he couldn't save everybody, and felt sure that God did. 

For me this hits on a fundamental contradiction in Christianity. I mean, it is true that Jesus' sacrifice counts for all people of all time. It is also true that God is willing that none should perish but all come to eternal life. It is also true that the time is coming when Jesus will come back and separate the sheep from the goats, and that he tells us: there is one name under heaven by which all men shall be saved. 

The heart that want's there to be no hell, connects to the compassion of God; that desire is righteous. At the same time, somehow I think there will be people who don't want anyone else to pay for their sins (or to admit to sin) and God won't force it. Followers of Jesus are in a tough spot. I suppose we just trust in the goodness of God to resolve it in the end, and try to proclaim the same thing Jesus did and the scriptures do. There is salvation for those who know Jesus as their savior, and eternal separation from God awaits some after this life.