Hell according to the Eastern Orthodox church

[Danny]

I don't recall seeing much mention in these many discussions about Hell regarding what view is held by the "other third" of Christendom.
It's an interesting viewpoint and is well described in this article:
http://aggreen.net/beliefs/heaven_hell.html

[TK]

Wow- that was really good. thx.

I have never heard of this formulation of heaven and hell before, and it makes a good case. I note that the paper does state that the fate of a person is fixed at death, which would work against UR.

But the case presented is far less objectionable (at least to me) than the idea of an angry God actively tormenting unrepentant sinners for all eternity.

It sort of brings to mind the statement of CS Lewis: "There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, 'Thy will be done,' and those to whom God says, in the end, 'Thy will be done.'"

TK

[Todd]

Danny,

Thanks for posting this. It is definitely food for thought. A lot of it makes sense, but it still may be taking the scriptures a little too literal. I will ponder these things...

Todd

[Danny]

I find that the essence of this view parallels what my own view has been for some time, but I would see the "torment" of the "unregenerate" being in the presence of God as a temporary (or even momentary) state and for the purpose of redemption. The example I have used in the past is a testimony I once heard from a burn victim. He described how he had to be lowered into a vat of purified water and the nurses had to scrub off the dead, burnt skin while he screamed in agony. It was torturous, but it had to be done in order to save his life. Likewise, the pure consuming fire of God will burn away all that is sin and death.