Life's Inanities and Ironies

Propitiation is one of the most profound and precious doctrines in all of Scripture. It lies at the very heart of the gospel, explaining *how* a holy God can forgive guilty sinners without compromising His justice. The word itself may be unfamiliar to many modern ears, but the reality it describes is the very foundation of our salvation. Without propitiation, there is no true atonement, no genuine reconciliation with God, and no hope for eternal life.   What Propitiation Means The English word “propitiation” comes from the Greek term *hilasmos* (used in 1 John 2:2 and 4:10) and *hilasterion* (used in Romans 3:25 and Hebrews 9:5). In biblical usage, it carries the idea of appeasing or satisfying wrath through a sacrificial offering. It is not merely the covering or removal of sin (though that is involved); it specifically addresses the righteous anger of God against sin by turning it away through a substitute. In the Old Testament, the concept is vividly pictured in the **Day of At...

One of the greatest misunderstandings about the Christian faith is the notion that a loving God sends people to hell against their will. Nothing could be further from the truth of Scripture. The Bible consistently teaches that **God does not send anybody to hell**. Hell is real, eternal, and terrible—but every person who ends up there has chosen it for themselves by rejecting the only Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. This is not a harsh teaching. It is a merciful one. It reveals both the justice and the tender love of our God. He has gone to unimaginable lengths to keep us out of hell, yet He will never force anyone into heaven. The door stands wide open. The question is whether we will walk through it. The Character of God: Holy, Just, and Loving Scripture opens with the declaration that “God is love” (1 John 4:8). The same Bible declares that God is “of purer eyes than to behold evil” and cannot look on iniquity (Habakkuk 1:13). He is perfectly holy and perfectly just. He cannot overlo...