Did Gandhi Go To Hell?

This month's Psychology Today contained the story of man who asked an elder at his church a very loaded question: “Did Gandhi go to hell?”

The elder tried to be gentle in his answer, “According to the church's official doctrine's” the elder qualified, “I'm afraid he did.” And with their short conversation concluded, the questioning man left the church forever.

I'm not deluded. The questioning man was baiting the elder. He expected the answer he got; he was seeking a reason to walk out, and he found one. I'd like to focus on the Christian elder's response. This blog, after all, is meant for Christians, so it would be a waste of my time and yours to focus on criticizing the actions of an antagonist. Lets see if we can answer the question any better: Did Gandhi go to hell? How would you answer?

Photo by Chris Reynolds

I don't think we should be wishy washy about telling how salvation comes to us. I do, however think we are out of line to judge the state of another man's soul. A human is only ever redeemed by the grace of God when the Holy Spirit works faith in Christ's redeeming sacrifice within their heart. Salvation is God's to determine as it is God's to accomplish.

Only Christ saves anyone, and since he does so through faith, this is a rather tricky thing to quantify. By tricky I mean impossible. When I walk the street, I don't see faith in some people but not in others. I just see people. It is beyond my authority to see anything more or less than that. Scripture says that though man looks at the outward appearance, God looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). Judging others is not only not our job, it is actually impossible for us to do.

So if we cannot determine Gandhi's salvation, how do we answer the questioning man?  He deserves an answer.  Questions of all kind should be welcome in church, and I think we can answer intelligently without falling into the questioning man's trap.

Gandhi did great and excellent works in this world, but that we do not believe that works can earn God's favor or forgiveness. Gandhi's good works will not make his redemption easier on the last day. With that said they certainly won't make it harder; God is slow to anger, and abounding in love (Numbers 14:18), and willing that none should perish (2 Peter 3:9). God can redeem Gandhi just as easily as God can redeem anyone. Gandhi was human, and a sinner, and will stand before God's judgment exactly as we all will, for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory God (Romans 3:23).

This answer does not give a yes or a no, but that doesn't make it a cop-out. This is the gospel itself. When a person asks if so-and-so went to hell; they are asking a deeper question. They are asking if you will pass judgment if given the opportunity. They're asking if you are loving and merciful. The correct response to this questioning man is, and can only be, the gospel. Please share it eagerly.

Those who heard this asked, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”

-Luke 18:26-27

Concerning Demons

The forces of hell are a real thing. Scripture is not ambiguous about the existence of the devil and his devils. They exist today and I want to be exquisitely clear on one point in regards to these devils: They are unimportant. Faith in Christ is necessary for salvation; faith in devils is not. I have not observed that faith in devils is even beneficial. Those friends of mine who pay particular attention to scripture that concerns demons, usually have done so to their own detriment. I hope to briefly show here that no special study of demons is ever necessary.

This devil is so unimportant that a bird pooped on it.  Photo by eisenbahner

Imagine two young Christians are being demonically harangued in identical ways. What happens is this: when they retire to their bedrooms they are bombarded with anxieties about work and school, and they have no peace in mind or in body. At times they even hyperventilate and succumb to anxiety attacks. Lets say that between these two Christians, one believes in demons, and one of them does not. There is no compelling reason they need to behave differently in response to their problem.

The Christian who has faith in Christ but none in demons, if he or she is wise, ought to place each anxiety before the Lord in prayer (Philippians 4:6-7), and meditate on God's word (Psalm 1:2-3) so that he or she can take each thought captive (2 Corinthians 2:5). It may also be wise to read a pleasant book or decorate the room with a serene theme (Philippians 4:8). This first Christian, by acting in godly faith, and by putting the word into practice, will create an intolerable environment for hell's messenger. The unwelcome roommate will leave. 

The second person, believing in and recognizing a devil, should do everything the first Christian did. This second person, wise or not, may address the demon directly to declare Christ's lordship. If they do all that the first Christian did then it makes no difference, but if they neglect engaging with God through prayer and the word, then their exorcism will fail. A verbal declaration isn't necessary, and in some cases it may even be detrimental. If it is done without faith it is ineffective (Acts 19:13-15). If done with faith, but the Christan doesn't fill their heart with the things of God, then it will again be ineffective (Luke 11:24-26). An exorcism is either a reassuring but unnecessary addition, or it is a destructive distraction.

Scripture promises that if we resist the devil he will flee us (James 4:7). Resisting the devil comes quite naturally to a practicing Christian. Any pursuit of God is resistance to the devil. According to James 4:7, a thankful prayer should be as effective as an exorcism. A simple act of submitting to God will either be as effective as, or more effective than, a verbal “casting-out.”

Verbal exorcisms are carried out in a myriad of reasons, many of which are bad. In my experience exorcisms tend to be sensational and dramatic, inflating the importance of utterly insubstantial spirits instead of directing attention and glory to the Spirit of God. “Resisting the devil” is a natural byproduct of what we call, “following Jesus.” No special procedure is necessary to “cast out” a devil; all devils, real and imagined, readily flee from simple Christian living.

There is no reason to avoid exorcisms. Exorcisms, like demons, are not important. If it seems prudent, and you have faith, verbally declare God's dominion. We oughtn't hesitate to verbally declare God's dominion, whether or not we have a demonic audience. If, however, you have announced God's truth and power, but a devil persists in its pestering, it is silly to just make another speech. 

No one's speeches are effective if their works aren't convincing. Put God's word into practice. Praise your God. Think about something excellent and praiseworthy. Practice hospitality. Thank Jesus for something. Read the Bible, and mediate on it. Honor your parents. Consider the lilies of the field. Each of these is as or more effective in defeating the kingdom of hell. Having this thorough education on the subject, please go read something else today. Like demons and like exorcisms, this post is not important. Have a nice day.

RE: The Great Divorce

Reading The Great Divorce is like walking through a garden of beautiful dreams.  Lewis is a master of senses and setting and can write heavenly bliss as no one else can.  Sadly I have made the terrible mistake of finishing the book this morning, and I now have no treat awaiting me at the end of my day.  Perhaps I will read it again.

            Read this book.  It is in the best interest of your soul and imagination that you read this book.  It is like an extra chapter from my favorite parts of The Chronicles of Narnia, but it is even better.  It’s better for two reasons.  First it is written to adults, and second it is much shorter.

            The content is as mature as it is beautiful.  Lewis explores many of his delicious ideas from Mere Christianity, but here does so through rich characters and conversations instead of through dry abstractions.  It is more readable than Mere Christianity, and more substantive than the Chronicles.

            You should read this masterful book.  It is reminiscent of Dante in its arc and of Plato in its method.  It is a work of art anyone can enjoy in a single afternoon.  I mistakenly believed that it was a dry theological tome, and so I deprived myself of enjoying its garden of delights until now.  I was mistaken, but you can learn from my error; you need not deprive yourself.  Read this book.