Most people commonly associate fire with "hell," whether or not they personally believe in it's existence. Unquestionably, some (or much) of this has resulted from the literary prowess of writers like Dante (you might have some fun with this related site). If you’re familiar with Dallas Willard, you’ve likely encountered his suggestion (when discussing the idea of eternal punishment or bliss) that “the fires of heaven may well be hotter than the fires of hell.”
It’s certainly an interesting notion, especially in light of the ancient scriptures:
Isaiah 33:14 (NIV)
The sinners in Zion are terrified;
trembling grips the godless:
"Who of us can dwell with the consuming fire?
Who of us can dwell with everlasting burning?"
Hebrews 12:28-29 (NRSV) Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us give thanks, by which we offer to God an acceptable worship with reverence and awe; for indeed our God is a consuming fire.
2 Peter 3:11-12 (NIV) Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.
Is it possible that such a “fire” will be the very thing that those occupying eternity will long for? Will they long to have what once they consciously held-on-to instead of God, and what has eventually become a burden to them, a shame to them, a repulsion to them – will they long to have that burned out of their lives… taken away…gone at last… and finally be free? And furthermore, will those who lived as apprentices (Dallas’ preferred term instead of disciples) of Christ in this life, become eternally grateful for the ever-burning fires of God’s presence – thankful that they had chosen the tougher and hotter path?
Maybe the discomforts of heaven will one day be seen as far more desirable than the comforts of hell.
And so, what if we began proclaiming a gospel that emphasized this? What if we succeeded in finally dispelling the fire-and-brimstone version of hell that has characterized the modern era? How many of our fellow human beings would pledge their lives to the eternal fires of heaven and avoid the comforts of hell?
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Yes! Thank you for a beautiful post that captures what Willard is talking about. Discipleship is salvation. Beautiful.
Posted by: Justin Baeder | May 17, 2004 at 06:38 AM
"Discipleship is salvation"
Yes,it is beautiful...and much needed.
But do you think the discipleship-salvation relationship might be unsettling to the sola gratia crowd, especially those who see salvation as a "decision" rather than a process?
Posted by: Chris (DesertPastor) | May 17, 2004 at 09:55 AM
the discomforts of heaven? how will we ever get converts with that kind of theology?!?!?! :)
great thoughts chris!
Posted by: Heidi | May 17, 2004 at 10:10 AM
The teaching that heaven and hell are actually the same "place" (ie the fire of the love of God) is actually very patristic.
To those who love Him, the fire will be experienced as warmth, light, etc....to those who hate Him, the fire will be expereinced as a torment....
Posted by: Karl Thienes | May 17, 2004 at 03:00 PM
"The teaching...is actually very patristic."
That's interesting, Karl. Who would one of the earliest leading voices be in this regard?
Posted by: Chris (DesertPastor) | May 17, 2004 at 03:38 PM
O how I long to be consumed by God's fire! To have the last of my flesh burned away by his holiness, to be made truly pure...this will truly be paradise.
Posted by: Daniel | May 18, 2004 at 01:02 AM
Saint Peter the Damascene writes:
"We all receive God’s blessings equally. But some of us, receiving God’s fire, that is, His word, become soft like beeswax, while the others like clay become hard as stone. And if we do not want Him, He does not force any of us, but like the sun He sends His rays and illuminates the whole world, and he who wants to see Him, sees Him, whereas the one who does not want to see Him, is not forced by Him."
God is a loving fire, and He is a loving fire for all: good or bad. There is, however, a great difference in the way people receive this loving fire of God.
Saint Basil the Great: "The sword of fire was placed at the gate of paradise to guard the approach to the tree of life; it was terrible and burning toward infidels, but kindly accessible toward the faithful, bringing to them the light of day."
Saint Isaac the Syrian: "Those who are suffering in hell, are suffering in being scourged by love.... It is totally false to think that the sinners in hell are deprived of God’s love. Love is a child of the knowledge of truth, and is unquestionably given commonly to all. But love’s power acts in two ways: it torments sinners, while at the same time it delights those who have lived in accord with it"
Posted by: Karl Thienes | May 18, 2004 at 11:09 AM
Thanks, Karl!
Posted by: Chris (DesertPastor) | May 24, 2004 at 01:08 AM