I had an interesting discussion on X the other day where we talked about how God is this mean entity that sends people to hell for no other reason than because they refuse to worship him, like some capricious and narcissistic king or emperor.

Two such comments:

“It’s our choice to go there sure maybe. But it’s always God’s choice to force us to stay. God also hardens people’s hearts while on Earth.” (In response to me stating no one is sent to hell accidentally. Everyone in the end makes that choice).

“A warning that makes no sense when you think about it. An all loving God wouldn’t create an inescapable hell. That’s just an obvious fear tactic used to get more tithes. I don’t have enough faith in humans to see the Bible as more than an interesting story with morals.” (The bold portion is in reference to me asking if the “threat” of hell is really a threat, or is it a warning?).

I want to focus on the bold portions starting with “God also hardens people’s hearts while on Earth.”

Does he, though?

So as usual, I did some research to find the answer.

The most obvious examples of God hardening people’s hearts are when God hardened Pharaoh’s heart multiple times in Exodus. Sometimes, though, Pharaoh hardened his own heart such as in Exodus 8:15.

Does that mean God also hardens the heart of people today?

Romans 9:18 seems to indicate he does: “So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.” (ESV)

However, we must never take a single verse as the end-all-be-all. One must read more to discover the context.

In this particular passage, Paul was talking about Moses and Pharaoh, and more specifically about God’s mercy and justice. As much as I would love to share the entire chapter here, I instead recommend you read it for it does answer the question. In a way, it also answers the second bolded comment above.

God warns against hardening our own heart indicating we still have free will and agency, and thus we have no excuse once we’re faced with the consequences. I found so many passages indicating we harden our own hearts, I had a hard time choosing. This one seemed to fit the best according to the conversation above:

Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. ~ Romans 2:3-5

As to the second comment, it’s not an unfair question. Why would a loving God create something so horrific, especially when he longs for no one to go there? So much so, he sent his son to die on our behalf? Couldn’t he have created such a universe that didn’t need a Hell?

Some questions can’t be answered, at least not in a way that will satisfy everyone. Even Christians who’ve studied scripture all their lives can’t answer this one completely. Sure, we have some idea (such as God wanting us to have free will, and to be chosen just as he chooses us), but it nonetheless seems incomplete.

I therefore have to surrender my lack of knowledge and understanding to God and admit that none of us are supposed to have it all figured out. At least not on this side of heaven.

Seek the LORD while he may be found;
call upon him while he is near;
let the wicked forsake his way,
and the unrighteous man his thoughts;
let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him,
and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts. ~Isaiah 55:6-9