For many years I taught a course on Evangelism called “Share Jesus Without Fear” and was active in sharing my faith in Christ with people. And I used to pray for a revelation of the reality of Hell, assuming that understanding just how bad Hell is would motivate me to be even more passionate in sharing my faith in Christ and teaching/motivating others how to do the same.
One can only imagine how surprised I was when in studying what scripture actually says concerning “Hell” and the punishment of sin, I came to believe in UR. And having come to believe in UR, I’ve also come to believe that the doctrine of Hell actually significantly HINDERS evangelism for several reasons:
- No one wants to be the bearer of bad news and the doctrine of Hell is the ultimate Bad News!
- The doctrine of Hell limits the power and/or scope of the Atonement. Because of the doctrine of Hell, Calvinists limit the scope of the Atonement, and Arminianists limit the Power of the Atonement.
- The doctrine of Hell also tends to engender “fear” not “faith”; people share the “gospel” out of “fear” that Jesus will not save instead of out of “faith” that Jesus will save!
- The doctrine of Hell also tends to encourage judgmentalism and pride. The reason I am saved is because “I” accepted Christ. The reason others are not saved is because “they” choose not to. So “I” am better than “them”.
Frankly, I find the gospel of UR to be much more empowering and encouraging. It is truly Good News. It puts us All in the same boat - people loved by God needing saving. And it fills us with faith in Jesus to save. We do not believe God to be some tyrrant who punishes people forever because they don’t…whatever. Rather, we believe that God loves all humanity and does not fail to save those whom He loves!
In short, I believe faith is a much more powerful and lasting motivator than fear! Faith in God to save is much more powerful than fear of God to damn! Jesus did not come to condemn the lost, but to save us! Hallelujah!