HELL

I get weary of street preachers pointing their finger at me--and others--while yelling threats of hell.

The New Testament concept of hell (in the Greek, Ghenna), appears twelve times in the entire body of canonical material (eleven gospel references but not one Pauline), and is associated only twice with particular actions committed by individuals. Once, hell is described as the punishment for calling a sister or brother "fool (Matthew 5.22)" and secondly, the despising of "little ones," i.e., "outcasts" (Matthew 18.9). Typically, when Ghenna is spoken of it connotes generalities and not specifics.

However, even if we allow for an extension of the metaphor of hell to include the uses of the word fire, even still there is little textual reference to actions that are eternally punished by fire. The one circumstance where fire is mentioned in connection to eternal consequences (and paired with individual activity/inactivity) is Matthew 25. 31-46.

In the Matthew text, Jesus condemns to eternal fire all those who fail to act on behalf of their brother's and sister's welfare. In other words, sins of omission: failing to visit the sick and imprisoned, withholding clothing, food, and drink from those in need, and not offering hospitality to strangers.

All of this is to say the simplistic co-opting of the Bible for particular agendas profits the church and those outside its walls little; but the misunderstanding and stereotypes engendered, and the spiritual and psychological harm it may wreak, is much. 

So, if you happen to be the type of Christian who points your finger at people and then beats them over the head with threats of hell, you may want to pause and examine how many fingers are pointing back at yourself.