Newborns & Children go to hell?! What does the Bib

[MarcBee]

Originally Posted by crakjak

In the tradition of Jonathan Edwards, and God dangling one over hell fires, like a spider.

I have scant knowledge about Jonathan Edwards, but I do know in Medieval or Renaissance paintings, for example, strange looking demons are given the task of dangling sinners over hellfire and other tortures. Presumably the intention of the artists was to imply that the Yahweh god created these nasty minions to do the unpleasant spider dangling. Is that the sort of thing you are claiming I agree with, along with Jonathan Edwards?

Why does the smallest sin MERIT the eternal wrath of God????

Intuitively, I have no idea why, yet the belief is corroborated throughout the New Testament. One or two examples should suffice, as I am almost tiring of reviewing this very common orthodoxy.

James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
[BTW, Mosaic law not necessarily in view there, as evidenced in previous two verses: 2:8 "If ye fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well" 9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin , and are convicted of the law as transgressors."

Or, pick any ole' violation--James would agree you are "convicted as transgressor."

Romans 5:12 Wherefore as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men for that all have sinned .

Peter, Paul, et al often back up the same concept--any sin we have committed proves the fallen nature we have received at birth due to Adam's fall, and in turn validates god's punishment for sin. And faith--the correct faith--is the only escape route, of course.

He created the earth and man, and has tolerated sin for thousands of years, if He doesn't plan on redeeming all of mankind why prolong the agony by adding billions to the torture chamber???

Likewise, if god doesn't plan on redeeming the devil, why tolerate all that and his supposed demons for thousands of years? Would it take Yahweh that long just to make a point? Circular what-ifs could go on forever. Rather, I am mirroring fairly common orthodoxy concerning sin and its consequences. You are free to spin the bible into describing a very, very nice God, or one answerable to a human sense of justice. Suits me!