Hey Kip,

I’m glad you asked! One of the things you’ll find throughout scriptures is that God prides Himself on not interfering with our free will to do what we will. One of the big themes to Christianity is that we love God because we want to, not because we’re forced to.

For example, He didn’t want to make robots who would love Him automatically because that’s not really love. C.S. Lewis had another good example: It’s kind of like playing chess with yourself. What’s the point in playing if you know you’re going to win (against yourself none the less)?
One of the things I would like to throw out there, is that Adam and Eve were tempted by the snake to eat the apple and they did. God was very upset to see this as He hoped for a sinless world, but since He gave us free will, He lets us make our own decision. Which in a sense sucks because that means we can screw it up and that comes consequences. But at the same time, I think it would suck even more if God ruled us like a dictator and we couldn’t do anything outside of what He wanted.

I know it’s hard to see how us going to hell could ever be part of a loving God, but I’ve also written some ideas on that as well if you’d like to read it. Just let me know.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask. I may not have all the answers, but I’m learning. I also hope that you don’t take anything I say as a hurtful or rude thing as that is not my intention. I know religion is a touchy subject with people. Thanks for the comment!

If you would rather talk in private my e-mail is jbradley@cornerstonethechurch.org but this is fine if you’d rather.