Hell Fire?

I have recently begun reading A Case for Faith by Lee Strobel. This has been a very nice read but I wanted to share something that I read:

First off, if you have never read the book, you can find out more about it [url=http://www.amazon.com/Case-Faith-Journalist-Investigates-Christianity/dp/0310234697/sr=8-1/qid=1170261825/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-9177416-3927830?ie=UTF8&s=books]here.[/url]

One of the difficult questions is addressed is:
If God cares about the people he created, how could he consign so many of them to an eternity of torture in hell just because they didn't believe the right things about him?

I was very interested to hear how this objection would be answered but I was shocked at the response. Basically, A famous conservative theologian (I forget his name) answered the question by saying that all of the scripture that refers to flames, fire and burning in hell is figurative. He said that there is no fire, it is not hot and there is no physical torture at all. He said the pain of hell is being cast out of the presence of God. He said the ‘gnashing of teeth’ involves the mental and spiritual anguish of not knowing God. He said the fire language is to describe judgment.
He provided some of the following examples:
Revelation 20:14, “Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.”
How can it be a literal lake of fire when Death and Hades are thrown into it?
Hebrews 12:29, “for our "God is a consuming fire."
God is not a literal fire, but He is the ultimate judge and giver of judgment

Note: I am not presenting this information to say that this is what I believe. I am presenting this information to gather wisdom from my fellow SI’ers.

What would you say to Lee Strobel?

I think your question is sort of assuming that physical fire would be worse than spiritual fire/torment. I don't see why this would have to be so.

Surely spiritual blessings are better than physical blessings?

There are literal torments that have physical as well as spiritual effects.

If God cares about the people he created, how could he consign so many of them to an eternity of torture in hell just because they didn't believe the right things about him?

If I were answering this question, the first think I would point out is that this is not quite right. Men don't merely "mis-believe." The reject the truth. Men supress the truth.

Sinners are not innocent little people that have just made a few mistakes. Men are rebels, unless they have been born again.

It's not that they didn't "just... believe the right things about him" it's they they didn't believe Him at all!

It's not a mere slip from the truth but a whole rejection of it.

There is no middle ground. You are either for him or against him.

I think your question is sort of assuming that physical fire would be worse than spiritual fire/torment. I don't see why this would have to be so.

So the physical fire is bad but it is not the worst part?

Please explain more.

(If I may play an advocate for the other side)

It's not that they didn't "just... believe the right things about him" it's they they didn't believe Him at all!

He would probably respond by saying that still doesn't seem to warrant everlasting torment in a lake of fire.

Everlasting/Eternal torment in the fire of hell for not believing in Christ? Isn't annihilation more humane? It would seem He is picking on us puny humans.

What would you say to someone who is inquiring about Christ and seems to want to follow him but he honestly admits his hesitancy as follows:
"I want to be a Christian, but I don't think I can serve a God who burns people alive forever...and keeps them alive forever in that fire. Just seems to far-fetched and sadistic."

Note: Thank you to all who have responded. Your answers are very helpful.

Everlasting/Eternal torment in the fire of hell for not believing in Christ? Isn't annihilation more humane? It would seem He is picking on us puny humans.

If this was the reply then I would correct him and say, "Again, it's not merely that you didn't believe something or believed it wrong. It is your sin, your rejection of Him." Sin sends a person to hell. It's not just that you "forgot to believe" or "just missed it." God is holy and eternal. Your sin eternally offends him. Do you think you are more moral than the one who gave morality?

He would probably respond by saying that still doesn't seem to warrant everlasting torment in a lake of fire.

It doesn't matter what he thinks. He isn't God's counselor. :-)

What would you say to someone who is inquiring about Christ and seems to want to follow him but he honestly admits his hesitancy as follows:
"I want to be a Christian, but I don't think I can serve a God who burns people alive forever...and keeps them alive forever in that fire. Just seems to far-fetched and sadistic."

This person hasn't seen their sins for what they are. That isn't the reason for his hesitancy. I think it would be deeper than that. They aren't going to threaten God and Him change.

Thanks PreachParsly for your post. I agree with you.

What would you say about the notion that the 'fire' language used in describing hell is figurative and not literal.

See my first post if you need more information on this.

Thanks.

Krispy, I agree with you. You and I hold the same belief when it comes to hell being having literal flames.

What I do not understand however is Revelation 20:14,
“Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.”
The question the book raised concerning the Bible is how can it be a literal lake of fire when Death and Hades are thrown into it? Should this not be symbolic of something else...say judgment.

Also, what about those people who claim that the story of the rich man and Lazarus was a parable. If this part of scripture is to be taken at it's most literal then would that mean it is possible for men/women in hell to communicate with Abraham?
I know that the common response to the story not being a parable is because someone' name was mentioned, but does the Bible say that people's names cannot be in parables?

Thanks for your input. These are just thoughts running through my head. Anyone else have thoughts on this as well?

Point one is... when you die you get no second chances. Point two... if you blow your first chance you will find yourself in a place of torment beyond your human imagination.

I am glad you said that. That is the crux of the matter and that is beyond dispute. Regardless of whether the flames are literal (as I see presented in scripture) or if they are figurative the point is that it is a place of torment.

I was sadly disappointed in that section of A Case for Faith because the 'scholar' did not defend the doctrine and reality of hell insomuch as he redefined it to make it more palatable for others.

I am looking forward to hearing more from you and others about the Revelation 20:14 verse.

One thing I know is true, let me appear a fool before men and true to God and His word.

Thanks.