What should you call Christians who believe in hell fire?

by Matt Slick

Unfortunately, some Universalists like to label Christians who believe in eternal hell with words like "hellers," "tormentists," etc.  Such terms are derogatory and inaccurate.

I, for one, do not like the idea of hell. I do not want there to be a hell. I do not want people to go to hell.  It would be great if God did redeem all people, or at least annihilate those who reject Jesus. But I do not believe that is what the Bible teaches.

For any Universalist to imply that we Christians somehow enjoy the idea of people going to hell, or that we want hell to exist, or want people to go there is ludicrous and inflammatory, not to mention a blatant misrepresentation of what we believe.

We are not "hellers" or "tormentists."  We are Christians who believe in the Holy, Infinite, Justice of God and that from that Holy, Infinite, Justice of God, the Lord will pour forth His wrath upon those who are not covered by the blood of Jesus the Christ.

• We believe in God's Holiness -- that He can have nothing to do with sin.
• We believe in God's Infinitude -- that sin against Him is infinitely offensive.
• We believe in God's Justice -- that He must punish sinners.
• We believe in God's Love -- that He has provided an escape from that punishment which is only found in Jesus.

So, if you are a Universalist, please refrain from using derogatory terms that inaccurately reflect what we believe and feel.