Answers to Life's Greatest Questions

How can a loving God condemn anyone to hell?

Living Dialog


The idea of a loving God choosing to torment people in eternal hell is not only difficult to accept, it is simply not true according to God’s Word. The Bible teaches that God is love and yet it warns that those who choose to reject God’s offer of salvation, face everlasting punishment. Because humans are given free will, people choose for themselves whether they will accept Jesus or not and therefore they choose where they will spend eternity. Make no mistake, God wants every person to love him. When we choose to accept Christ as Savior, our lives are transformed, we are accepted into the Kingdom of God and the promise of eternity in heaven becomes ours. God doesn’t “choose” to send anyone to hell. That choice belongs to each and every individual.

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)