1. Kessie says:

    “In this world you will have trouble, but take heart–I have overcome the world.” Jesus said it all right there.
     
    That said, the narrow-minded fire-and-brimstone types do exist, even though they’ve made a mockery of Christianity. In fact, that’s one of the few stereotypes Hollywood is allowed to use anymore (that and Men Are Fat Lousy Slimeballs Who Watch Football).
     
    I just ran across a YA series I’m dying to pick up, called Ashfall. It’s a series about what would happen if the Yellowstone supervolcano erupted, and two teens are trying to travel across the (rapidly falling-apart) country to locate their parents. I have a feeling that a scenario like that might be more believable than “omg the lights went out”. (Besides, there’s nothing more terrifying than the solemn geological reports about Yellowstone and Mammoth Mountain. Dormant, not extinct.)

  2. Ralene B says:

    Well, you know, the Bible says that, to God, sin is sin. “Levels” of sin are a manmade concept. If God were going to send  natural disasters to zap sinners, He’d have to re-create The Flood, which He promised not to do. Like you said, though, I’m sure He’s not above using them to get our attention.

    I’ve been watching Revolution as well, but only with mild curiosity. It hasn’t held my attention like I’d hoped it would. In fact, I fall asleep most nights about halfway through. hehehe…  

  3. The concept of “levels” or different degrees of sinful wickedness comes from Christ:

    “Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.”

    Matthew 10:15

    “… But I tell you that it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you.”

    Matthew 11:24

    I believe other Biblical evidences exist for that concept. It’s a relatively minor issue — but it could be a way we understand God’s character, knowing He does not punish every one with the same severity, but instead renders according to people’s deeds (cf Romans 2:6).

    Dante later extrapolated this into the wholly imaginative idea of “circles” of Hell, and of course Shepherd Book extrapolated this further into the idea of a special Hell, for those who molest children, abuse women or talk loudly at the theater.

What do you think?