What Hell is

[Dave]

In the "Giving Glory" video by Louis Abbott, found @ ponderingconfusion.com. Mr Abbott points out that the meaning of words are not always what we think.

In the 1611 King James Bible, translators introduced into Scripture the word Hell, but here we are 400 yrs later and the meaning of this word has grown into something that was never intended by the translators.

What did the word Hell mean in 1611? I will not speak as an EXPERT in the English language from 400 years ago, but I do know what the word means today.

TODAY in England, Scotland, and Ireland potato farmers HELL the potatoes into the basement.

I come from a family of garden growers. I have dug many a potato from the ground. Once clean, the potatoes are hidden away somewhere cool and dry - like the basement.

For me - much of my personal cosmology finds comfort in the idea that Hell is actually much closer to the meaning of Hades, Purgatory, or Sheol.

The hidden away - hidden from view - out of sight - the unseen.

Adopting this notion of Hell also brings Christian scripture in line with Judaism and OT Teachings. Let's face it, Jesus Christ was a Jew. Jews at the time had no corresponding eternal pit of fire and brimstone punishment.

The Dante's Infernal version of Hell was not introduced into christianity until after Dante wrote his secular poem in 1308.

[Richard]

Isa_5:14 Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure:

Female!

[Dave]

I think I was married to her once.

Sort of puts a new slant on comments like - she's HOT, or - she's smoken - doesn't it?

[Ali]

The Hebrew word "Gyhinom" is bearing the functionality of the referent. I think its better to do a word study first.

[Dillon]

It is OK to have a sense of humor. Dave was just poking fun at the silliness of the various ways Christendom presents Hell.

If you can not tell already, Dave, Pat, Richard, and myself have know one another for years. One way or another we have all had this conversation of "what id Hell" before. Not necessarily as a group discussion like in this forum, but bu phone, in person, or email.

Personally, I can not stand Christians that demand solemn reverence at all times. Some fundamentalist will not play games, gamble, dance, or play cards. Boring! Is it a sin to buy a lotto ticket?

One of the problems in Christendom is that they forget to preach the concept of grace. Here we are - animals clawing and scratching in the muck of reality - yet the Creator of the entire universe loves me. Loves me enough to provide a way for me to know Him better. Provides a way to transcend this reality and be with Him in eternity. That is amazing! What better gift could ever be given to anyone. Just the thought of it makes me smile in amazement. So many people seek some form of external validation to pump up their self esteems. The Lord love us and wants to know us personally. What could be a better validation than that.

I am amazed a so many of the people I church with. If a movie star, sports personality, or the president knew them well enough to stop what they were doing and take their personal phone call any time day or night, they would be so proud. They would not hesitate to show off. If asked to call their friend in a public forum, they wouldn't hesitate to show off. Yet, in a worship setting, if you asked these same people to lead a prayer to the Lord, they decline out of embarrassment. What's up with that?? these pseudo-believers make me smile because they become so obviously empty and hollow. The Christian Hymn goes - Joy to the world, the Lord has come.

As for Gehenna, Hades, Hell, and Sheol, I am unsure what they are! Instead, I have a better feel for what they are not. Scripture tells me that there is a holding place for the dead until the Great White Throne Judgment of Revelation. At that judgment, some will find their names in the Book of Life (Rev 20) and are allowed to continue, while those not listed in the book are thrown into the Lake of Fire, which is the second death.

In Christendom, the gambit of possibilities range from only 144000 being saved and everyone else burning in torment for all eternity - to - 'universalism' - all will be saved and only the Dragon, the beast, and his false prophets are damned.

Dave likes to use Dante's Infernal as an example. Dante's Infernal is a story. It is not scripture. Yet the christian denomination of Baptist will preach that we need to be afraid of the Lord. There call for worship sounds like - you better believe or you will burn in Dante's Infernal for eternity.

I must be German at heart, because in Germany the denomination called Baptist is considered a cult. I do believe in punishment or even torment, yet how that translates into the larger picture I am unsure. We have been brainwashed with so much misinformation that I admit, I am unsure what hell is. Although, I do have some opinions of what hell is not.

D

[Dave]

Yes, I was trying to be funny. I suppose I should keep my day job huh?