hell

The Problem of Hell: Hell is Overcrowded Chris Altrock, February 19

by chrisaltrock
February 22, 2012

Timothy Keller preaches in New York City. He shares the story of a young man who visited his church office.[1] The man was an Ivy League MBA, successful in the financial world, and had lived in three countries. Though raised in a family with a loose connection to church, he had very little understanding of the Christian faith. But he had recently developed a great spiritual interest. He had attended the church where Keller preaches and he told Keller he was almost ready to embrace the Christian faith. But there was one final obstacle: ‘You’ve said that if we do not believe in Christ we are lost and condemned. I’m sorry, I just cannot buy that. I work with some fine people who are Muslim, Jewish, or agnostic. I cannot believe they are going to hell just because they don’t believe in Jesus.’”Read More »The Problem of Hell: Hell is Overcrowded Chris Altrock, February 19

The Problem of Hell: Hell is Unrelenting (Matt. 25:45-46)

by chrisaltrock
February 13, 2012

I know a family who once sent their child to time-out. The elementary-aged son dutifully retreated to his room. Normally, his time-outs last about 15 minutes or so. But the mom and dad got busy. They failed to release him after the normal 15 minutes. 15 minutes turned into 30. 30 turned into 45. 45 turned into 60. The parents actually forgot about the son altogether. Eventually, the son poked his head out of his room and asked, “Can I come out?” What was supposed to have been a time out of a few minutes became a one-hour prison sentence. And that event raises an important question: When does the punishment exceed the crime? Clearly, in this case, the punishment had done just that.Read More »The Problem of Hell: Hell is Unrelenting (Matt. 25:45-46)

The Problem of Hell: Hell is Unloving Chris Altrock, February 5, Sunday Morning Message

by chrisaltrock
February 8, 2012

In the second century, Celsus, a critic of Christianity, labeled God a “cosmic cook.”[1] Celsus was referring to the Christian doctrine of hell. He mocked Christianity because it portrayed God as a “cosmic cook” who was going to roast unbelievers in a fiery hell. And for this reason, and others, Celsus could not embrace the Christian faith.Read More »The Problem of Hell: Hell is Unloving Chris Altrock, February 5, Sunday Morning Message

The Problem of Hell: Hell is Fabricated (Matt. 5:22) Chris Altrock, January 29, Sunday Morning Message

by chrisaltrock
February 2, 2012

Last year preacher and author Rob Bell wrote a book about hell. The book was called Love Wins.[1] It sparked a firestorm within the larger Christian community because it challenged traditional teaching about hell. It also fueled serious discussion within the larger non-Christian culture. For example, Time magazine followed the book’s release with an edition with these words splashed across the cover: “What if there’s no hell?”[2] A few months from now a movie will be released entitled “Hell and Mr. Fudge.” The movie tells the true story of a Church of Christ minister who rebelled against traditional views of hell. There’s a lot of discussion in our churches and in our culture about hell.