Why would God allow hell?

Eli: How can a loving God allow a place like hell?

Eli: It's heavy, and I won't pretend it's easy.

Eli: Bosch's The River to Hell, from 1505-15, shows a fiery landscape of torment, and that imagery sounds cruel.

Eli: First, justice: Jesus describes people separated by how they treated the hungry and sick.

Eli: Second, freedom: some theologians see hell as the result of choosing separation from God.

Eli: Third, the Bible's words: Sheol and Hades usually mean the grave.

Eli: That doesn't settle it, and Jesus' words here are stark.

Eli: 2 Peter, a letter in the Bible, says this:

Eli: The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some count slowness; but is patient with us, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Eli: Today's a good day to read Mark, an account of Jesus' life.

Eli: A local church can connect you with a real person.