Comments on: With Osipov on the nature of God - my response http://www.3waystolive.com/2008/06/with-osipov-on-the-nature-of-god-my-response.html Which is your way? Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:13:26 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 By: Fyodor Soikin http://www.3waystolive.com/2008/06/with-osipov-on-the-nature-of-god-my-response.html#comment-417 Fyodor Soikin Tue, 26 May 2009 07:33:20 +0000 http://www.3waystolive.com/?p=162#comment-417 Edward, The Holy Fathers (the saints that the Orthodoxy bases itself on) offer several explanations for hell. The one that I like the most goes like this: hell is just another remedial punishment. It will not last "forever"... Although it is not entirely correct to say "forever", because the very time probably does not exist "there", or at least has another form. So the expression "eternal hell" does not mean the infinite time of suffering, but something else. What exactly we do not know. We may speculate, but it is useless anyway. The said saint also warns against kicking back and relaxing in hopes that the hell is not forever, and there will be heaven for everybody anyway. "But let us be careful brothers, - he writes, - for we cannot even imagine what sufferings are prepared for us there". Another view on this problem. Even though a given person will suffer in hell forever, this destiny is still better for him than nonexistence. Therefore, the God did create the said person, knowing he will go to hell. The general thought here is: "the God ensures that the destiny of each person will be the best". Edward,

The Holy Fathers (the saints that the Orthodoxy bases itself on) offer several explanations for hell.

The one that I like the most goes like this: hell is just another remedial punishment. It will not last “forever”… Although it is not entirely correct to say “forever”, because the very time probably does not exist “there”, or at least has another form. So the expression “eternal hell” does not mean the infinite time of suffering, but something else. What exactly we do not know. We may speculate, but it is useless anyway.

The said saint also warns against kicking back and relaxing in hopes that the hell is not forever, and there will be heaven for everybody anyway. “But let us be careful brothers, - he writes, - for we cannot even imagine what sufferings are prepared for us there”.

Another view on this problem. Even though a given person will suffer in hell forever, this destiny is still better for him than nonexistence. Therefore, the God did create the said person, knowing he will go to hell. The general thought here is: “the God ensures that the destiny of each person will be the best”.

]]> By: Edward http://www.3waystolive.com/2008/06/with-osipov-on-the-nature-of-god-my-response.html#comment-227 Edward Thu, 24 Jul 2008 07:30:28 +0000 http://www.3waystolive.com/?p=162#comment-227 Hi, There could be a danger in always believing that God's punishment as being merely remedial *always*. This view of God's love doesn't explain hell very well and could come dangerously close to some kind of universalism. regards Edward Hi,

There could be a danger in always believing that God’s punishment as being merely remedial *always*. This view of God’s love doesn’t explain hell very well and could come dangerously close to some kind of universalism.

regards
Edward

]]> By: Vitali http://www.3waystolive.com/2008/06/with-osipov-on-the-nature-of-god-my-response.html#comment-226 Vitali Sun, 20 Jul 2008 14:00:23 +0000 http://www.3waystolive.com/?p=162#comment-226 I absolutely agree! I absolutely agree!

]]> By: DD http://www.3waystolive.com/2008/06/with-osipov-on-the-nature-of-god-my-response.html#comment-222 DD Sun, 20 Jul 2008 03:09:45 +0000 http://www.3waystolive.com/?p=162#comment-222 "Hence God never punishes us, only disciplines." I see it this way: God's punishment is never punitive. God's punishment is remedial. I suppose this is another way to say what you imply. But I like putting it this way because it states clearly that God does punish (or disciplines) but for a purpose and not as an end in itself. Within this context, I feel it is easier to explain God as being primarily Love and within the context of this all encompassing love, is His loving discipline. “Hence God never punishes us, only disciplines.”

I see it this way:

God’s punishment is never punitive. God’s punishment is remedial.

I suppose this is another way to say what you imply. But I like putting it this way because it states clearly that God does punish (or disciplines) but for a purpose and not as an end in itself. Within this context, I feel it is easier to explain God as being primarily Love and within the context of this all encompassing love, is His loving discipline.

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