Some people will tell you that without a threat of fiery eternal damnation, no one few will seek God, but the insights of a intellectual giant in our times show us that what we think of as free choice has a fatal flaw and proves to be absurd in light of who God is and how knowledge sets us free to choose the best choice.
Refinement (purgation) and Restoration are the goal of any Good God, or even a good parent. But, eternal retribution is not possible for a Good Creator, says Hart.
For Hart, God is not Just or Good either to send people to hell or to allow people to choose in a less than free state. Just like we would be a monster if we slapped a blind child for making a mistake because they could not see.
And of all beings, God would be a moral monster, evil, to punish people for what they can’t help but choose. The contradiction is something most of us have not struggled with much—we may just accept the (false) idea that a Good God could hurt their creation. We may have understand that only a (non free) person in bondage of some form of illness would choose against their best good. Once restored, we choose rightly and in our best interest. We cannot help but choose the mercy of God.
Admittedly, few of us today will be willing to immediately accept ideas so foreign to our common understanding of choice or eternal consequences. They are JARRING, especially at first. But, hold them for a moment.
I find such concepts compelling as they follow logically, experientially, and scripturally.
You can find out more in his book. But, it’s for vigilant readers and thinkers—be warned. Not a quick read!
Could it be that the ideas about HELL were created to manipulate us?
Who is God REALLY? And what is possible for a Good God? Where have we been wrong in understanding God’s goodness and more importantly, how does this play out in how we treat others or find compassion for those who suffer.
I contend that if God is morally allowed to be a monster, and we find God’s torture of others acceptable, it WILL affect who we are as people and how we live our lives. Not like as “little Christs” but as little monsters.
Most intriguing is the way we’ve understand free will and choice is critically flawed and Hart details why.I present his thoughts in longer video (4-5min) which you are invited to view in its entirety here: youtube.com/@Sparkmymuse
I have extras for those who have a paid subscription ⬇️
Hi friends,
For those of you paying and supporting this, I want add more.
DBH’s book is TOUGH sledding and he also can be difficult to understand or follow as he explains himself. I found this out as I watched the interview video that inspired this post and video I made.
But, I want these ideas more widely available and if you have an interest, you might want to watch the interview video also. Find that here.
Thank you for reading and watching today.-Lisa
