Biblical Answer

The doctrine of hell is a central tenet in the Christian faith. From an evangelical Christian perspective, we believe that hell is a place of eternal suffering and separation from God. This view is supported by the Bible, which teaches that those who reject Jesus Christ and refuse to repent will face eternal punishment (Matthew 25:31-46, 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9). The concept of eternal punishment is not limited to the physical realm, but also applies to the spiritual realm, where the soul will suffer eternally.

The question of whether hell is eternal or temporary is a complex one. Some argue that hell is temporary, and that those who are punished will eventually be annihilated or cease to exist. However, this view is not supported by the Bible, which teaches that hell is a place of eternal punishment (Matthew 25:46, Revelation 20:10). The Bible also teaches that those who are in hell will continue to suffer eternally, and that their punishment will not be annulled or terminated (2 Peter 2:17, Jude 10-13). The concept of eternal punishment is not just a matter of duration, but also of quality. Those who are in hell will suffer a qualitative difference from their present life, and will be separated from God eternally.

The view that hell is eternal is supported by the Bible's teaching on the nature of God and the consequences of sin. The Bible teaches that God is a just and holy God who will not tolerate sin in His presence (Exodus 34:6-7, Isaiah 59:1-2). Those who reject Jesus Christ and refuse to repent will face the consequences of their sin, which is eternal separation from God. The Bible also teaches that those who are in hell will be tormented by their own sin, and will be unable to repent or change their ways (Luke 16:19-31). In conclusion, from an evangelical Christian perspective, we believe that hell is a place of eternal suffering and separation from God, and that those who are in hell will continue to suffer eternally. The Bible teaches that hell is a place of eternal punishment, and that those who are in hell will be tormented by their own sin for all eternity.