Apologizing for Hell: The New Evangelical Evasion

Albert Mohler – January 26, 2010

In recent years, a new pattern of evangelical evasion has surfaced. The Protestant liberals and modernists of the twentieth century simply dismissed the doctrine of hell, having already rejected the truthfulness of Scripture. Thus, they did not enter into elaborate attempts to argue that the Bible did not teach the doctrine—they simply dismissed it.

Though this pattern is found among some who would claim to be evangelicals, this is not the most common evangelical pattern of compromise. A new apologetic move is now evident among some theologians and preachers who do affirm the inerrancy of the Bible and the essential truthfulness of the New Testament doctrine of hell. This new move is more subtle, to be sure. In this move the preacher simply says something like this:

"I regret to tell you that the doctrine of hell is taught in the Bible. I believe it. I believe it because it is revealed in the Bible. It is not up for renegotiation. We just have to receive it and believe it. I do believe it. I wish it could be otherwise but it is not."

Statements like this reveal a very great deal. The authority of the Bible is clearly affirmed. The speaker affirms what the Bible reveals and rejects accommodation. So far, so good. The problem is in how the affirmation is introduced and explained. In an apologetic gesture, the doctrine is essentially lamented.

What does this say about God? What does this imply about God's truth? Can a truth clearly revealed in the Bible be anything less than good for us? The Bible presents the knowledge of hell just as it presents the knowledge of sin and judgment: these are things we had better know. God reveals these things to us for our good and for our redemption. In this light, the knowledge of these things is grace to us. Apologizing for a doctrine is tantamount to impugning the character of God.

Do we believe that hell is a part of the perfection of God's justice? If not, we have far greater theological problems than those localized to hell.

Several years ago, someone wisely suggested that a good many modern Christians wanted to "air condition hell." The effort continues.

Remember that the liberals and the modernists operated out of an apologetic motivation. They wanted to save Christianity as a relevant message in the modern world and to remove the odious obstacle of what were seen as repugnant and unnecessary doctrines. They wanted to save Christianity from itself.

Today, some in movements such as the emerging church commend the same agenda, and for the same reason. Are we embarrassed by the biblical doctrine of hell?

If so, this generation of evangelicals will face no shortage of embarrassments. The current intellectual context allows virtually no respect for Christian affirmations of the exclusivity of the gospel, the true nature of human sin, the Bible's teachings regarding human sexuality, and any number of other doctrines revealed in the Bible. The lesson of theological liberalism is clear—embarrassment is the gateway drug for theological accommodation and denial.

Be sure of this: it will not stop with the air conditioning of hell.

Government of the people, by the people and for the people.

John Wycliffe was the first to translate the Bible into English in 1384. He is credited as being among the first of the reformers. Undoubtedly, his work in translating the Bible so that it could be read by the general population fueled the reformation.

It is said that upon completion of translating the Bible he wrote the following statement; “This Bible is for the government of the people, by the people and for the people.” I'm certain he would have been humbled to know that these words would be expressed again by President Abraham Lincoln at Gettysburg nearly 500 years later.

I can’t help but wonder what he would have thought if he were able to witness the founding and framing of the United States of America.

A Halloween to celebrate

October 31st is celebrated as Halloween but it is also marked as the day that Martin Luther nailed his Ninety-Five Theses to the door of the All Saints' Church in Wittenberg Germany.

It was October 31, 1517 that marked the official beginning of the Protestant Reformation however several men in previous years contributed greatly to what we now accredit to Martin Luther.

October is observed as Protestant Reformation month, which serves as an opportunity to better understand the people, issues and the influence the Reformation had on our society. I encourage everyone to take some time to study and reflect upon this highly influential event. I’m sure that in doing so you will truly find cause for celebration on this, and every other, October 31st.

ObamaCare does pay for abortion

As even the Associated Press admits, the government takeover of health care will, despite what the president has told you, involve the use of taxpayer funds to pay for abortions.

The AP says flatly, "The proposed legislation would permit government-sponsored health plans, open to non-Medicaid patients, to cover abortions."

So when the president or members of Congress say abortions aren't covered in health care reform, they aren't telling you the truth. And when the president's spokesman says that federal law would prevent taxpayer funding of abortions in the health care plan, he's not telling you the truth either.

The Hyde Amendment prevents Medicaid funds - and Medicaid funds only - from being used for abortions, but that restriction wouldn't apply to the government takeover of health care.

In fact, under the Capps Amendment in the House bill, the public option would be required to offer abortion services, and every American would have to have access to at least one health care plan that included abortion.

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