Differing opinions on Hell?

[Buck1900]

The Heresy of Hell as Self-Inflicted - Crisis Magazine

I’m curious to see what people have to say about this article, on the one hand it’s a well crafted argument and makes some good points but doesn’t Ezekiel 18:23 contradict his main argument “I desire not the death of the wicked?”

 

[ProdglArchitect]

I think he is trying to create a duality where none exists. It is both self-inflicted torment, and the punishment for our sins. There is no reason it cannot be both.

I chose to separate myself from God, and in so doing incur the full punishment due for my sins. If I separate myself from God, that means I separate myself from His mercy, and am therefore subjected to the full brunt of His justice. The only thing that saves any of us from damnation is God’s mercy. If we reject God we reject His mercy, and all we are left with is His justice. Given that justice demands damnation for all of us (as we are all sinners), by rejecting His mercy it is necessary that we enter into the punishment due for our sins.

This is not an either/or situation, it is both/and.

 

[Latin]

God bless every readers of the CAF.
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God CAN NOT punish the same sin twice.
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1 John 2:2; He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
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Col.1:20; Through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

Rom.5:18; Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people.
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This, the beneficent purpose of an all-seeing Providence, is wholly gratuitous, entirely unmerited (Romans 3:24; 9:11-2).
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It extends to all men (Romans 2:10; 1 Timothy 2:4), even to the reprobate Jews (Romans 11:26 sq.); and by it all God’s dealings with man are regulated (Ephesians 1:11).
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It extends to every individual, adapting itself to the needs of each (St. John Chrysostom, “Hom. xxviii in Matt.”, n. 3 in “P.G.”, LVII, 354).
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All things are created and governed with a view to man, to the development of his life and his intelligence, and to the satisfaction of his needs (Aristides, “Apol.”, i, v, vi, xv, xvi.
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CCCS 1996-1998; This call to eternal life is supernatural, coming TOTALLY from God’s decision and surpassing ALL power of human intellect and will.
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Phil.2:13; “For it is God who works in you BOTH TO WILL and TO ACT for His good pleasure.”
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Aquinas said, “God changes the will without forcing it.
But he can change the will from the fact that He himself operates in the will as He does in nature,” De Veritatis 22:9.
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CCC 2022; “The divine initiative in the work of grace PRECEDES, PREPARES, and ELICITS the free response of man. …”

God’s salvific will is that everyone saved and God saves everyone.
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God bless every readers of the CAF.

Latin