The Atonement: Cosmic Child Abuse? With Mike Winger (Part 2) The Alisa Childers Podcast #54

On today's podcast, I continue my discussion about the atonement with Mike Winger and his analysis of Brian Zahnd's "Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God." We talk about the biblical points Zahnd uses to make his case that the classic understanding of the atonement is something more like Divine child abuse.

​Book recommendations: 
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I received some good thoughts from the podcasts with Mike Winger. You both talk abour the 'real thing' or the 'real gospel'. You make comments (maybe even aspersions) on Brian Zahnd. I have watched some of the PC people that you have commented on in the past and when I watch them they only have guests they agree with. Have you invited Me Zahnd to be a guest on your program? Going back to your 'real gospel' comments; what is hell like for those who reject the gospel, like the muslim woman presented as a contrast to Becky or for anyone else for that matter. Also, does Hitler get a worse hell, because you mention him at some point? What is the 'real gospel' view on hell?

Alissa,
Thank you for the reply and the recommended reading. I recognize this source because I have heard you mention him before.
After reading the article you recommended, I see the author uses selected passages regarding the degrees of punishment in the law and in hell. He includes some gospel references to the severity of certain sins.
I noticed that the author referred to how unfair it is that nice grandma receives eternal punishment but never- the- less receives the consequences of hell and all that comes with it. According to Mr. Wallace, it depends on how much she “knew” about the truth before rejecting it.
I’d like to share a few thoughts:
1. Mr. Wallace is correct that the consequences of hell should be proportional. It is hard for me to conceive that any person would receive eternal, conscious torment for whatever they did on earth. This seems out of proportion.
2. Hell or the lake of fire need not be an ‘eternal’ length of time. The adjective eternal can be causative and not one of duration. God is the ‘source’ of this place. It is God’s punishment.
3. Punishment need not be retributive. In the gospels the term “kalasis” is used which means there is a means to an end. The word “timoria’ could have been used which means retributive.
4. Hell could be ‘temporal’ and an educative place. God loves those he disciplines and his purpose is always for restoration and reconciliation. There might be a few difficult passages for some, but these passages are often difficult because of preconceived interpretations.
5. In Revelation 22:1-5 God brings healing to all the nations. In Colossians and Ephesians we see God will restore everything, all creation. In my view, that means everyone. He successfully finishes what he started. The good news is that good.
6. Mr. Wallace concludes by saying hell is a place where justice is served. Hell could be a purifying place. I’m not saying it is not a real place. It could be the place where selfishness avarice and pride begin to see the love and life of Jesus. Forgiveness will be offered and gratefully received. When every knee bows it will not be out of compulsion. When every tongue confesses the language is only one of worship not obligation. Hell is a place where love is served.
7. Someone like Rob Bell is a hopeful universalist. Sorry to say he is not ‘certain’ of the complete victory that was accomplished. He, you and I ‘might’ be very surprised what God is up to.
Thanks again for the time to respond. I sincerely give you my time to listen and read your blogs. I respect and even admire your willingness and the effort you take to provide this forum.