So a "revival tent" went up along an intersection in a town my husband and I pass through daily. In the afternoons when we are driving home from the train, we can hear the booming LOUD preacher talking about the finer points of hellfire and brimstone to a few folding-chair sittin' folk who I imagine holler AMENs.
My husband said, "Hey, whatever keeps them on the straight and narrow."
The gist of the Old Testament [the section where people had a child-like newness to God] is God commanding people to BE GOOD. Like a child who does not listen, sometimes a parent will threaten: "Don't go by the river, there are MONSTERS in there"...this is more effective keeping children away from the river than saying "Don't go by the river, it's very dangerous."
The gist of the New Testament [the section where people have a more grown-up relationship with God] is God commanding people to DO GOOD. No more hellfire and brimstone, that was to get you to behave and get your attention but it was for teaching purposes only.
"This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him." (Mt 17:5).
So, the threats of hellfire & brimstone at the revival, once studied within the context of the entire bible and using common sense, are nothing more than purposeful threats to keep childish people in line who cannot behave unless threatened.
The real spiritual grown-up knows that there are no monsters down at the river and that God is only looking out for them like a loving parent --using this tool before they are able to reason. When we grow up and have a mature relationship with God, we understand being good for goodness' sake.
And grown-ups in God know that He is Love. That God is our friend and Creator, not our destroyer. God is a loving judge who judges for our own benefit. Any atonement (temporary) is done for the rehabilitative purposes of the judged, not for the ridiculous eternal-damnation satisfaction to the Judge. God is not vengeance. God is just. There is a difference. And no act on this earth, in this lifetime warrants an eternal punishment, as that would be ridiculously vengeful, not just.
But, for those who hunger for senseless destruction "of Biblical proportion" I offer you the following comical jingle, courtesy of my husband who sent me the link:
God will f*@# you up!! - http://www.youmail.com/login/greetingView.do?id=5420
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