I feel that the word "hell" was an inaccurate translation of the word Gehenna. I feel that associating Gehenna, Hades, and the Lake of Fire with the word "hell" is very misleading. I've shown in
Message 11 that using the word "hell" for the overall domain of the dead, Hades, would be appropriate.
Gehenna was a very real place during Jesus' ministry and I haven't read a clear argument that shows me Jesus was using the name to refer to a different place in the context of what the authors wrote.
Gehenna referred to the Valley of Hinnom.
Hades is the name of the underworld where the dead reside.
The lake of fire in Revelation has no name.
Due to this discussion I have learned that they are not interchangeable although many claim they are. During the course of this discussion, I haven't seen a clear line to connect these three "places" as being one and the same place.
Since each author has a purpose for their writing, I don't feel that knowing the reality of Gehenna negates future accountability at final judgment. What that might actually be will take more discussion.
In the course of this discussion, I did find the later discussions on eternal and forever and ever very interesting.
Message 186,
Message 287, and
Message 289. Unfortunately not enough thread left to finish what we started.
I know I look at the Bible differently than most, but different doesn't automaticly mean wrong. I try to understand the lessons presented to the ancient audiences, whether that agrees with current dogma and tradition or not.
Although many would disagree, I am quite willing to admit when my conclusion is wrong if clearly shown. I've learned many things through these discussions. As I showed above, Faith brought ideas on Biblical life and death, which sparked more investigation.
I am not a closed book; but I do investigate before committing it to ink, so to speak.
Thanks for the lively discussion.
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