Biblical Answer

Understanding the Misconception

The question of why a loving God would send people to hell is a common misconception about the nature of God and salvation. The Bible teaches that God is a loving and merciful God who desires the salvation of every human being (Psalm 103:8-14). However, it also teaches that God is a just God who will not tolerate sin and rebellion against Himself (Romans 1:18-32). The Bible also teaches that humans are created in the image of God, but have rebelled against Him and are therefore guilty of sin (Romans 3:23). As a result, humans are under God's judgment and are destined for hell unless they are saved through faith in Jesus Christ (John 3:36).

God's Desire for Salvation

The Bible teaches that God does not send anyone to hell. Instead, He desires that all people turn back from their self-destructive course of action and be saved (Ezekiel 33:11). However, God also gives people a choice to accept or reject His offer of salvation. Those who reject God's offer of salvation are ultimately responsible for their own sin and rebellion against Him. As the Bible says, "He who believes in Him is not condemned, but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God" (John 3:18). God's desire is that all people would be saved, but He also respects human freedom and will not force anyone to accept His offer of salvation.

The Role of Human Choice

The reason why some people go to hell is not because God is cruel or unloving, but because they have chosen to reject God's offer of salvation. As the Bible says, "God does not give to all men the desire to be saved, but to those who are called, He also gives the desire to believe and be saved" (Romans 8:30). Those who are called by God and respond to His offer of salvation are saved, but those who reject His offer are ultimately responsible for their own sin and rebellion against Him. This is not because God is unloving, but because He respects human freedom and will not force anyone to accept His offer of salvation. As Jesus said, "You did not choose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you" (John 15:16). Divine sovereignty and human responsibility are both real, and they are both necessary for a complete understanding of the nature of God and salvation.