Biblical Answer

How Could a Loving God Send People to Hell?

The Misconception of God's Desire

The question of why a loving God would send people to hell is a misconception rooted in a misunderstanding of God's desire. The Bible teaches that God desires the salvation of every human being (Psalm 103:8-14, 2 Peter 3:9). God's heart is not to condemn but to save (John 3:17). The problem lies not in God's desire, but in humanity's rejection of God's offer of salvation.

The Consequences of Human Choice

God does not send people to hell; humanity does. When people choose to reject God's offer of salvation, they seal their own fate (Matthew 25:41, Revelation 20:15). This is not a matter of God withholding salvation from those who desire it, but rather, it is a consequence of humanity's sinful nature (Romans 3:10-18). The Bible teaches that humanity is inherently sinful and in need of a savior (Romans 3:23, Isaiah 53:6). Without faith in Jesus Christ, humanity remains in its sinful state, separated from God (Ephesians 2:12-13).

The Sovereignty of God

Some may argue that God's sovereignty over humanity's choices contradicts His loving nature. However, the Bible teaches that God's sovereignty is not a tyrannical force, but rather, it is a loving and just one (Psalm 119:68, Romans 8:28-30). God's sovereignty is not about forcing people to do what they do not want to do, but rather, it is about guiding humanity towards its intended purpose (Jeremiah 29:11). Ultimately, God's love and sovereignty are not mutually exclusive, but rather, they work together to bring about His ultimate plan of salvation for humanity (John 3:16). The question of why a loving God would send people to hell is not a question of God's desire, but rather, it is a question of humanity's rejection of God's offer of salvation.