One of the most oft-heard accusations of non-Christians against evangelism is that Christians are basically just using hell to scare many into becoming Christians.
Is there justification for such an accusation, and do Christians really seek to scare non-Christians with hell?
I’m going to say an emphatic “no”.
Think about it this way: Christians know, from the Bible (God’s Word), of a very, very bad place that’s real — not a figurative place nor just some “state of being” — where those who do not respond to the grace of God that’s offered through the death and resurrection of His only Begotten Son Jesus Christ will be banished to after death.
And because we know what a horrible place hell is, we desire that none that we know and meet should be in there for eternity. That’s why some Christians warn repeatedly of hell and tell you of this horrible place.
Just how terrible and horrible is hell? It’s so horrible that God Himself warns us of it many times in His Word to us. It’s so horrible that Christ Himself warns us repeatedly of it as well.
Hell is a dark, dark place where there’s no light, and where one has no rest from the constant torture of fire, having an unquenchable thirst, and where you despair eternally knowing that there’s no hope of escape nor of salvation.
Now, God is all things good — love, light, hope, etc., and hell is separation from God, meaning that all those good things that God is will be absent in hell! No light, no love and no hope whatsoever! No wonder there’s going to much gnashing of teeth and weeping!
I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Matthew 8:11-12
And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’
Mark 9:47-48
he also will drink the wine of God’s wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.
Revelation 14:10-11
Well, some might say that we are just using the Bible to justify the scare tactic, but let me ask you this if you are an unbeliever.
If you know of a bad neighborhood where the worst criminals reside, and where there have been more rapes and murders than what is considered a bad week in the murder capital of the world, would you warn a friend against going into that neighborhood at anytime of the day? Would you say that you are scaring her on purpose?
No, you do it because you care for her and are concerned about her safety and well-being.
Well, it’s the same thing here — Christians know of a really bad neighborhood called hell where unbelievers will be thrown into, and they are being a good friend lovingly warning you against landing yourself there for eternity.
Tags: Evangelism, Hell
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Whilst I understand that we all have our own idea of how we should approach this, I do think that, in order to try to tell somebody about God, we should use ‘positives’ rather than ‘negatives’. It is a tried and tested rule of thumb in advertising and promotion.
Personally if anybody tried to get my attention by telling me the ‘down side’ if I rejected what they had to say, I would reject it immediately, without listening to what they had to say. I would see it as intrusion and a threat.
It’s my belief that we should tell them what God has to offer, not what will happen if they reject Him. We cannot, and would not want to drag people to church by any means. I believe we should lead them in the right direction, with gentleness and love, and let the Holy Spirit work in them.
What brought me to a personal relationship with Jesus? The peace and happiness I saw on Christian’s faces, not the fear of going to hell.
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Thanks for your input, Babs.
I do not subscribe to this school of evangelism either, but it’s unavoidable sometimes that the issue of hell is brought up (especially in one-to-one evangelism) and the Christian is asked to give a honest answer.
I’ve personally come across people who, when approached, just blurt out “Oh, you’re just here to try scaring me to convert!” even before I start.
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Jonathan Edwards’ “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” comes to mind, where the congregation heard him preach vivid descriptions of hell and eternal torment; and in the middle of the sermon, many of the listeners wailed and repented in their seats.
I don’t think it’s the scare tactic that converts per se, but the Holy Spirit making the sinners aware of their lost state and their need for a Saviour.
That’s why it’s called the Good News.
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Ha ha, it doesn’t surprise me one bit that you’d equate this to that sermon by Jonathan Edwards which I love.
Amen to the conviction of the Holy Spirit — we just deliver the Good News, and let God do the rest. -
Is it possible J. Edwards were preaching to Christians?
If do that to non-believers here in Singapore in this age, sure kena hump thump :p
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I appreciate that you posted this, as I’m noticing hell or talking about the judgment of God is something that not “in vogue” in much of the church of Christ in this age, at least in the West.
As a missionary to the Netherlands for a few years, and being back in Canada now, I’ve noticed that many Christians seem to pride themselves on leaving out the hell part of their evangelism.
That being said, I think the first commenter shows the ditch on the other side of the road of the turn or burn message, which neither ditch on the side of the road will adequately do the trick. Neither will “greasy grace” and “only showing the positives”.
Christians are not to model the Gospel after marketing techniques, but after CHRIST– who is the foundation of the/our faith.The starting point is the fact we’re sinners and you could briefly or in detail explain why. If I told you I had a cure for cancer, and you should have it, it would make no sense unless I told you you actually HAD the cancer and NEEDED the cure, and not just obtain it as some kind of thing that would be “nice” to have.
Another thing coming to mind from reading this blog entry–is the fact I hear people tell me all the time “I can’t imagine a loving God would send anybody to hell, therefore I don’t believe in Him” when what we’re doing is fashioning a god (little g) in our own image and worshiping it–let’s read what the Bible teaches us of God and do our best to present Him as He is. The starting point then is no longer “how can a loving God send anyone to hell”, but how could a righteous, pure and JUST judge let anyone into heaven or His presence if we’re so filthy we don’t deserve it?
(THEN grace, and his love, etc…)
The premise or the starting point needs to be fixed in order to build anything else on it–such as the love, peace and joy God provides. THAT is why I cannot in good conscience (and biblically) present a “what God will offer them” form of evangelism.
7 The law of the LORD is perfect,
reviving the soul.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.8 The precepts of the LORD are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.9 The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever.
The ordinances of the LORD are sure
and altogether righteous.We can’t provide the details of the law of God, without admitting that the STARTING point is that we’ve all broke it, and the default is that punishment (hell). Jesus taught so much on it, and we leave it out. (Funny, in the West we hear a lot about money, which is taught just as much on in the Gospels–I guess preaching positive stuff DOES work!)
Thank you again for your post, and for taking the time to read my feedback. Good job.
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I appreciate what you say, but several people have come to know the Lord, purely through what they saw in me, and my telling them what had happened to make me so happy and content. It works! On the other hand I know that those same people would have quickly turned the other way had their introduction to God been about hell.
My ‘Marketing’ remark was purely to point out that positive comments generally gain more attention. Would you rather not have those souls saved if it has to be through positive comments? I believe that positive talk is more likely to get them to a place where the Holy Spirit can take over, than threats (as they see it) about hell.
I am not advocating that we hide the biblical facts, just that there is a time for everything. I don’t think preaching about hell in the first instance is the best, or only way. Yes, there is a time for it, and it may well work in some situations.
We must all be tolerant of one another, and accept that there is more than one way to lead a soul to Christ. We must all do what we feel led to do, and trust the Holy Spirit to complete His work in them.
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