tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914939.post85432780076793961..comments2023-10-04T01:27:24.003-07:00Comments on Versus Populum: Why I am not a universalist, even though I want to beDwight P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15849665963994688905noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914939.post-41939158859943812322008-09-23T09:11:00.000-07:002008-09-23T09:11:00.000-07:00Thanks you for the welcome back. And just to pick ...Thanks you for the welcome back. And just to pick up where we left off, I will totally disagree with you! I don't see how the doctrine of hell can be construed as nonviolent. Take them away to eternal punishment? Throw them into a lake of fire that never goes out? Even if you take this somewhat figuratively, this is clearly the language of violence and threat. As you know, I am sympathetic to the argument that being Christian calls for pacifism, but to say that the biblical God is pacifist in his dealings with humanity stretches my credulity to the breaking point.<BR/><BR/>The relevant question is whether this violence serves a redemptive purpose or a punitive one. If you believe that punishment is meant correctively, so as to teach people the right way, then it cannot be eternal. If you believe it is eternal, then it can only be retributive. Or serving some inscrutable purpose that only God knows, which seems to be the view of most Calvinists...Camassiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09183087564923218343noreply@blogger.com