Has Hell Disappeared?

[Maximilian]

Originally Posted by Mr. Smith

No, not at all. The entire book of Jude is given to addressing apostasy within The Church, and this includes verse 23. When dealing with those that are teaching falsely, approach them, deal with them, save them, with fear, or "With Caution". We should do this considering our own condition and not be damaged by those who have already "fallen away."

Verse 23 of Jude has nothing to do whatsoever with dealing with "The Lost."

Eugene Patteron's exegesis of this:
22-23Go easy on those who hesitate in the faith. Go after those who take the wrong way. Be tender with sinners, but not soft on sin. The sin itself stinks to high heaven.

How can we be hard on sin and tender on sinners? What does this look like?

[Mr. Smith]

Originally Posted by Maximilian

Eugene Patteron's exegesis of this:
22-23Go easy on those who hesitate in the faith. Go after those who take the wrong way. Be tender with sinners, but not soft on sin. The sin itself stinks to high heaven.

How can we be hard on sin and tender on sinners? What does this look like?

Give me a little bit and I'll give you Warren Weirsbe's exegesis of it. Basically, I already did, but I'll quote it. Gotta eat first. But nowhere in Jude is there a discussion of reaching the lost. It all centers around one subject. To suddenly, out of nowhere and without an explanation, bring evangelism strategies into the picture, is irresponsible.

[geekette]

Originally Posted by Maximilian

Eugene Patteron's exegesis of this:
22-23Go easy on those who hesitate in the faith. Go after those who take the wrong way. Be tender with sinners, but not soft on sin. The sin itself stinks to high heaven.

How can we be hard on sin and tender on sinners? What does this look like?

Hate the sin, love the sinner? I mean, as one of those now out in the world people, I can tell you that this goes over real well with my compatriots. Which is to say, it doesn't go over well at all.

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by geekette

Hate the sin, love the sinner? I mean, as one of those now out in the world people, I can tell you that this goes over real well with my compatriots. Which is to say, it doesn't go over well at all.

I think it would depend upon how "sin" is defined. If you define it in the manner you spoke of in the previous post (women cutting hair, men not cutting enough, etc) then you will probably baffle most audiences. If you describe sin as injustice, predatory behavior and etc. you'll probably find a receptive audience wherever you go.

Of course some people who employ the "Hate the sin/Love the sinner" model end up being stuck with a "Hate the Holocaust/Love Hitler" sort of problem.

[Mr. Smith]

Originally Posted by Maximilian

Eugene Patteron's exegesis of this:
22-23Go easy on those who hesitate in the faith. Go after those who take the wrong way. Be tender with sinners, but not soft on sin. The sin itself stinks to high heaven.

How can we be hard on sin and tender on sinners? What does this look like?

Eugene Patterson, the Message Bible guy?

Ok, here's what Weirsbe has to say about this:

The phrase with fear means "with caution." In trying to help those who have erred, we must be careful not to be trapped ourselves! Many a would-be rescuer has been drowned himself. When an unstable believer has been captured by false doctrine, we must be be very careful as we try to help him, for Satan can use him to defile us. In trying to save him, we may be stained or burned ourselves.