Hi blazeofhope,

If you don't mind, I'm not going to answer all the questions you asked. I have very limited time this evening. I'd just like to throw out a comment or two.

Quick disclaimer: I have not studied this subject much, and I don't have any particular Scripture to back up my view. At one point I bought a theology book called "Four views on hell" (edited by William Crockett). It presents the perspectives of four different theologians on the issue. Sadly, I never got around to reading more than a few pages. So, I'll just quickly share some comments before gracefully exiting the discussion and watching the -- sure to be controversial -- debate from a distance.

I do believe there is a heaven and a hell. And I do believe that, in addition to the devil and his angels, people do end up there, too. What I really have a difficult time with the concept of "eternal punishment" in hell. I can handle the need for punishment for sin, but for all eternity? Thousands and millions and billions of years of excruciating suffering, with no end, for a limited lifetime of sin? I find it terribly difficult to reconcile my understanding of God's loving nature with the perspective that He would punish anyone eternally for a limited, finite life of sin. It just does not seem "in character". Even our flawed human justice system has the concept that the punishment must fit the crime. There are limits. You commit a crime, you serve the sentence, and you get to move on with your life (to some degree, at least). Some would say that, because God is infinite, any sin against Him carries an infinite sentence. But that just doesn't seem "just" to me. My hope is that, somehow, punishment in hell is limited in severity and duration based on the sin committed, and that, afterwards, the soul is just extinguished. That, to me, would be just, and in keeping with God's merciful character.

I wouldn't know how to argue any of this Biblically. At this point it's just a theory ... a hope that the prevailing view in conservative Christian circles has somehow got it wrong. I'm interested to hear what everyone else thinks.

I guess that's it for now.

Blessings,
Rainboy