Talking to someone who doesn’t believe in hell

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 Talking to someone who doesn’t believe in hell  First you requires patience, respect, and a focus on understanding their perspective. Here’s how you can approach the conversation:   1. Listen First – Ask why they don’t believe in hell. Are their doubts based on logic, emotions, or lack of evidence? Understanding their reasoning helps you respond thoughtfully.   2. Clarify Definitions – Some people reject hell because of misconceptions (e.g., seeing it as cruel rather than just). Explain your belief in a way that addresses their concerns.   3. Discuss Justice & Free Will – Some question how a loving God could send people to hell. You can explain that hell is a consequence of rejecting God’s love, not arbitrary punishment.   (To understand this, please read my article about 👉 Trinity : Entity or Relation ?) 4. Use Scripture (If Appropriate) – If they’re open to the Bible, verses like Matthew 25:46 or Revelation 21:8 describe hell, bu...
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Rebellion, Divination and Idolatry

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 Rebellion, Divination and Idolatry


 Hermeneutics and Exegesis of 1 Samuel 15:23  


 Analysis of 1 Samuel 15:23  

Text (ESV):  

"For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king."  


 A. Historical Context  

- This passage occurs when King Saul disobeys God’s command to completely destroy the Amalekites and their livestock (1 Sam. 15:1–9).  

- Saul spares King Agag and keeps the best of the plunder (livestock), directly violating God’s instruction.  

- The prophet Samuel delivers a stern rebuke, equating Saul’s disobedience with idolatry.  


 B. Key Word Analysis  

1. "Rebellion" (Hebrew: meri)  

   - Indicates defiance or rejection of God’s authority.  

2. "Sin of divination" (Hebrew: qesem)  

   - Refers to occult practices forbidden in the Torah (Lev. 19:26). Samuel compares disobedience to witchcraft, emphasizing its severity.  

3. "Presumption" (Hebrew: ha’on)  

   - Stubbornness or unwillingness to repent.  

4. "Idolatry" (Hebrew: terafim)  

   - Household idols used in pagan worship (Gen. 31:19).  


 C. Textual Structure  

- Samuel uses metaphors to illustrate Saul’s sin:  

  - Rebellion = Witchcraft  

  - Presumption = Idolatry  

- Conclusion: Rejecting God’s word = Rejection of Saul’s kingship.  


 D. Theological Meaning  

- Obedience is more important than religious rituals (1 Sam. 15:22).  

- Saul’s disobedience is not just a political failure but a spiritual rebellion equivalent to idol worship.  

- God demands total obedience, not compromise.  


Modern Application  

- Obedience to God must be complete, not partial.  

- Spiritual compromise (such as ignoring biblical principles for personal gain) can be considered a form of "idolatry" today.  

- The authority of God’s word is absolute, and rejecting it has serious consequences.  


 Conclusion  

Through hermeneutics and exegesis, 1 Samuel 15:23 reveals that disobedience is a grave sin comparable to idolatry. Saul lost his kingdom because he refused to submit to God’s authority, serving as a lesson on the necessity of radical obedience.  



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