From Sheol to Heaven and Hell

[Elijah John]

The Hebrew Bible refers to a "Sheol", and the New Testament Heaven and hell.

This seems to be a clear change in the understanding of the afterlife.

A preacher's explanation had it that before Christ, no one was saved.

Another explanation, the change represents an evolution of Hebrew thought.

For debate, which is a better explanation for the change, and why?

[Checkpoint]

[Replying to post 1 by Elijah John]

The Hebrew Bible refers to a "Sheol", and the New Testament Heaven and hell.

The NT uses Hades as its equivaent to Sheol, as can be seen in Acts 2:27-31.

E.W.Bullinger, in his Greek-English lexicon, explains what Sheol/Hades is, and is not:

https://books.google.co.nz/books?id=Ux_ ... es&f=false

[Checkpoint]

Are you saying you think eternal punishment is lunacy, or you think that is what the cited article is saying?

Both are true. I think eternal punishment is ridiculous and so does the author of the article. My objection is to the notion that Satan has cleverly muddled man's theology so that he accepts such silly notions. Human beings manage perfectly well to have nonsensical ideas without Satanic assistance.

I do not understand where you are coming from.

Any and every version of "eternal punishment" is originated and promoted by Satan?

What the Bible says on the subject "is ridiculous" and "nonsensical"?

[marco]

I do not understand where you are coming from.

Any and every version of "eternal punishment" is originated and promoted by Satan?

What the Bible says on the subject "is ridiculous" and "nonsensical"?

I am commenting on the opinions given in the passage you suggested we read not on what the Bible says.

The idea that Satan has invented the idea of eternal punishment and whispered it to frightened people is silly in that it recruits folk for God. Terrified people rush for help, and try to avoid what would earn them eternal punishment. Jesus pointed out that in casting out demons he was not doing the Devil's work since the Devil does not act against himself. Same here.

[onewithhim]

Are you saying you think eternal punishment is lunacy, or you think that is what the cited article is saying?

Both are true. I think eternal punishment is ridiculous and so does the author of the article. My objection is to the notion that Satan has cleverly muddled man's theology so that he accepts such silly notions. Human beings manage perfectly well to have nonsensical ideas without Satanic assistance.

I agree, but I also do think that Satan is in the mix too. I think he enjoys muddling up man's theology.

[Checkpoint]

Are you saying you think eternal punishment is lunacy, or you think that is what the cited article is saying?

Both are true. I think eternal punishment is ridiculous and so does the author of the article. My objection is to the notion that Satan has cleverly muddled man's theology so that he accepts such silly notions. Human beings manage perfectly well to have nonsensical ideas without Satanic assistance.

I agree, but I also do think that Satan is in the mix too. I think he enjoys muddling up man's theology.

No doubt he does just that.

"man's theology" is also just that, as Marco put it, "Human beings manage perfectly well to have nonsensical ideas without Satanic assistance">

Which therefore includes your theology, or parts thereof, and mine in the same way.

It is not by theology that we enter the kingdom.

[onewithhim]

Are you saying you think eternal punishment is lunacy, or you think that is what the cited article is saying?

Both are true. I think eternal punishment is ridiculous and so does the author of the article. My objection is to the notion that Satan has cleverly muddled man's theology so that he accepts such silly notions. Human beings manage perfectly well to have nonsensical ideas without Satanic assistance.

I agree, but I also do think that Satan is in the mix too. I think he enjoys muddling up man's theology.

No doubt he does just that.

"man's theology" is also just that, as Marco put it, "Human beings manage perfectly well to have nonsensical ideas without Satanic assistance">

Which therefore includes your theology, or parts thereof, and mine in the same way.

It is not by theology that we enter the kingdom.

I believe that we can thwart Satan's designs and actually find the right path to Jehovah. I believe there is only one way, and so far I haven't seen anything better than what JWs are preaching.

[Checkpoint]

[Replying to post 16 by onewithhim]

I believe that we can thwart Satan's designs and actually find the right path to Jehovah. I believe there is only one way, and so far I haven't seen anything better than what JWs are preaching.

I salute your zeal for "the right path to Jehovah".

It is not that which is "better than" others, merely, but that which is the "only one way".

That is not found by following a theology. but by following a person, Jesus Christ.

I know you know and believe that, and live your life accordingly, which is why I recognise you as being my sister in the family of God.

[marco]

I believe that we can thwart Satan's designs and actually find the right path to Jehovah. I believe there is only one way, and so far I haven't seen anything better than what JWs are preaching.

There probably isn't anything better, since what is promised is the ideal of ideals. If one's theology is decided on the latest attractive offers it is a dubious theology. All the same it's a nicer way to treat people than to threaten them with eternal damnation. Why shouldn't life be filled with the perfume of rosy promises?

[onewithhim]

I believe that we can thwart Satan's designs and actually find the right path to Jehovah. I believe there is only one way, and so far I haven't seen anything better than what JWs are preaching.

There probably isn't anything better, since what is promised is the ideal of ideals. If one's theology is decided on the latest attractive offers it is a dubious theology. All the same it's a nicer way to treat people than to threaten them with eternal damnation. Why shouldn't life be filled with the perfume of rosy promises?

Yes, and that's the way Jehovah is. He is happy and he wants us to be happy. He is so far from a sadistic hell-fire threatening God that the churches make him out to be.

"According to the glorious good news of the happy God, with which I was entrusted." (I Timothy 1:11)

"Blessed" also can be interpreted as "happy."