GOOD PRACTICES...BAD THEOLOGY

As a member of a Bible-believing, conservative, uncompromising church, we think of ourselves as having pretty much nailed it theologically.  I think we would agree that we are God-pleasers rather than man-pleasers.  We take some politically incorrect stances because we want to be true to God and his Word rather then being palatable to the world.  

For instance, just a few of our beliefs include:
*The inerrancy of Scripture
*The virgin birth of Christ
*The reality of Heaven and life eternal
*That salvation is by grace through faith
*That Jesus is the only way to God

However, there's one essential belief that is strangely missing from our list.  The belief in a literal Hell.

I see I've got you a little ticked off.  Well, just hang in there, partner.

Have you seen the accounts of the news when a fire breaks out and someone, possibly even a total stranger, goes running INTO the burning house, simply because they believe there may be someone alive inside that home?  They risk life and limb in the simple hope that they might save one. Amazing!

So, what's that got to do with my theory that we no longer believe in a literal Hell?  Because, if we really believed in a literal, burning, place of eternal destruction and suffering, we'd be running into burning buildings right and left, just to possibly save one.  Yet, sadly, the reality is that we seldom even walk across the street and sit down in an air conditioned living room over a cup of coffee and tell people we claim to know and love the message that can save them from an eternal torture chamber.  

So, are we that calloused?  Are we that shallow?  Are we that uncaring of anyone other than ourselves?  We do just not give a rip if our friends and family spend an eternity in Hell?

Or do we just not believe what we claim to believe?  It's worth a thought.