How Can a Loving God Send People to Hell?

I our Western culture today, divine judgement is one of Christianity's most offensive doctrines. Although it is easy to understand that some people are distressed by this teaching, we find a number of hidden beliefs in their position. The following two are an example:

(A) A God of Judgement Simply Can't Exist

It appears that one of the most fundamental beliefs in our postmodern society today is that moral truth is relative to individual consciousness. Our culture therefore, has no problem with a God of love who supports us no matter how we live. It does, however, object strongly to the idea of a God who punishes people for their sincerely held beliefs, even if they are mistaken.

This objection, however, has a history to it. In ancient times it was understood that there was a transcendent moral order outside the self, built in to the fabric of the universe. Modernity reversed this. Ultimate reality was seen not so much as a supernatural order but as the natural world, and that was malleable. Instead of trying to shape our desires to fit reality, we now seek to control and shape reality to fit our desires.

Interestingly, if Christianity is the truth, it would have to be offending and correcting your thinking at some place. Maybe this place is exactly the doctrine of divine judgement.

(B) A God of Judgement Can't Be a God of Love

All loving people are sometimes filled with anger, not just despite but because of their love. If you really love a person and you see someone ruining them - even they themselves - you get angry. Anger is not the opposite of love, but hate is. Also, if God were not angry at injustice and deception and did not make a final end to violence - that God would not be worthy of worship. Moreover, it is vital to consider the highly beneficial aspects of divine judgement with regards to society and world peace. Trusting that God will eventually bring justice to a situation will give people the power to forgive and resist the impulse of seeking personal vengeance and an endless vicious cycle of retaliation.

Based on: Keller, T. (2008). The Reason For God. p.68-83