Lewis and the wonderful Dr. Humphrey here are, as has been pointed out by so many who hold to the greater hope, assuming there is nothing left for either God or the rebellious creatures to do in terms of interacting and effecting salvation after the Great Judgement. Orthodox Universalists all acknowledge judgement, personal responsibility, and the consequences of choices. But we reject the idea that the "freedom" those creatures exercise is fully free--that, indeed, they're still "enslaved" by sin, and that God is eternally the liberator. The end of this world and the judgement that follows is the conclusion to one epoch, one aeon. What follows is not laid out clearly in the Lord's own words, in the rest of the scriptures, or in tradition. But the principle of God's love and unending mercy can never be revoked. "Where sin abounds, grace super-abounds."
i believe the damned go to the fire to be pruned during their punishment and then God reintegrates them at the bottom of the creation hierachy. what do you believe?
David Bentley Hart is awesome, and his arguments are more deserving of serious attention than the flippant and dismissive remarks by the commentator here. Also, between the two, Hart is the scholar and historian, and such probably wouldn’t be bothered by Lewis’ projected disapproval…
We covered several topics in 1 hour interview about Lewis and Orthodoxy. We probably could have spent an hour on each of the topics for a 7 hour interview but alas, we couldn't. Hart and Humphrey are both serious Orthodox scholars and Im sure they would have a deep and lively discussion =) And I think you are right, Hart wouldn't care about what Lewis thinks, because he is David Bentley Hart
George McDonald was a deep charismatic RC. Jesus clear taught that most will go to hell (Lake of Fire) and few will find the narrow way and force their way in through the gate. Religion will curse all too many people the false hope. Paul in 2 Thess and 2 Tim speaks of the deceivers deceived and the "power of error." Jesus warned, "In that day, MANY will say to Me, 'Lord! Lord! Did we not do this and that in your name?' But I will say to them, 'I never knew you. Be cast into eternal darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'"
It seems difficult to me to speak of “hell” as the absence of God in any objective sense when one of His essential Divine attributes is His omnipresence. Psalm 139:8 also comes to mind. Then there is the Orthodox doctrine of Christ’s Ascension whereby human nature is lifted to Heaven in Christ, and in Christ Divinity has entered even our death and made it a place of the Divine Presence.
