Arrogance Illustrated

I saw a christian talk show recently with a discussion forum on the topic of Hell.  The question was posed:  Is Hell really eternal punishment, i.e. did God really intend Hell to be eternal?  One commentator began to question the meaning suggesting that “eternal” was meant to be a term of quality rather than a literal measure of time.  The Biblical scholar participant cited the numerous references to the literal meaning of the relevant scriptures, then the moderator offered the prime argument, “the punishment does not fit the crime, how could God punish anyone for eternity?”  At this, I tuned out, but noted that this is the height of arrogance, that men know better than God and dare to question His wisdom, design, justice, mercy, and very nature. No human can fully comprehend eternity or infinity, and all they know of Heaven or Hell is in the Bible, but they judge God with human standards.  Would it be too harsh to punish the murders of God’s only Son, who never committed a sin and preached love to the world, healed the sick, feed the hungry, and offered eternal life to those who accepted the truth that God is good, loving, merciful, forgiving, all powerful, all knowing, creator, and Father God? In Romans 9, Paul explains the very difficult question of God’s Sovereignty.  “One of you will say to me: “Then why does God still blame us? For who resists his will?” ²⁰ But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’” ²¹ Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?  It is an unsatisfactory answer for the human mind, but it is the truth. Contrary to contemporary thought human understanding is very limited.   An eternal Hell, probably even the idea of Hell, is politically incorrect, just as the severity and justice of God is politically incorrect.  However, the wrath of God is real, He says, “It is mine to avenge.”  Rom. 12:19  Is there is a greater arrogance than men concluding they are more just than God?