Vessels of Wrath

For chapter five, I found the arguments to be a little confusing as they were presented. Maybe I was just missing the links, because it seemed a little scattered and contradictory at times. To me the most difficult part of the topic of the existence of Hell is that it can't be argued against with simple logic. I think here the Bible may be our only resource for explaining the existence of Hell.
In the end of the chapter, the final reason for damnation is that people choose it and that even from Hell they will not desire to be under God's authority rather than suffer eternally. That, however, still doesn't answer the final question of why Hell has to be Hell. It could just be nothingness or anihilation as the Jehovah's Witnesses believe. They would ask why an evil act done in time must be punished for all of eternity. These questions can't be so easily dismissed as to say that in eternity the only people in Hell are those who want to be there. While that may be true, it doesn't answer the question of why Hell must be as opposed to just making the damned cease to exist.
Although it is not an easy answer to understand for myself, let alone easy to explain, I think we must answer this question by turning to the divine attributes of Justice and Sovereignty. We have to admit that if God's love and/or mercy are more important parts of his character than Justice, then he could change the hearts of the damned as easily as he changed the heart of you and me. Ultimately if God is sovereign, in one way he wills that there be souls in Hell. If "God's wrath is not a cranky explosion, but his settled opposition to the cancer...which is eating out the insides of the human race he loves with his wole being," as is quoted on pg. 73 of chapter 5, then he could eliminate the cancer completely from everyone.
What if God withholds himself from certain people, allowing them to eternally follow their own selfish wills in order that he may display his justice in eternity through their punishment? What if God's justice is of equal importance to his mercy and love and will therefore be demonstrated forever through his creation. What if God created certain people for this very purpose? I think we must address these issues to fully answer the question of how a loving God could send people to Hell.
Thoughts? Corrections?
ed
ps. This song reminds me of my deserved place in Hell and the Grace by which I get out of it.
http://www.last.fm/music/Matthew+Mayfield/_/The+Devil+Within

Talking the talk without yelling at people

So how do we use what we've learned from Chapter one to talk to nonbelievers about the one true religion? Any thoughts about how to show someone that their worldview makes absolute truth claims even if it claims not to?
For me, I always seem to get aggressive as if it's a debate rather than trying to really help someone see the inconsistency in their philosophy. I can't seem to control my indignation at times when someone shows such disregard for logic, while attempting to use it to make their point. How did Christ approach these type issues with the Pharisees and others?
Free candy for anyone who joins the discussion!

Equally Skilled

I really like Chapter 7 of Micah (or as Kurt would have it, Malachi). When he talks about how the people's "... hands are on what is evil, to do it well." That phrase is convicting to me. Many of the sins that I commit are done with zeal. Here is a link to a song that is taken right from the text by one of my favorite artists. Give it a listen.
http://www.last.fm/music/Jon+Foreman/_/Equally+Skilled
If you like it check out jonforeman.com.

ed

Introductory Post

This blog is where the group can come to continue discussion about our current weeks study. I will try to set it up so that any small group member that wants to can start a post.
ed