This is one of the most profound "moral friction" points in theology. It creates a paradox: If God is the ultimate role model, why does He demand "radical love" from us while seemingly practicing "eternal punishment" Himself?
To address this honestly, we have to look at how different theological frameworks resolve the tension.
1. The Karaite/Scriptural View: The "Torture" Misconception
A strict Karaite or traditional Jewish reading of the Tanakh (Old Testament) actually rejects the modern concept of "eternal torture" in a fiery hell.
The Grave (Sheol): In the Hebrew Bible, the "wicked" aren't sent to a basement of fire to be tortured forever. They simply cease to exist or remain in Sheol (the silence of the grave).
The Law of Reciprocity: God’s "wrath" in the Torah is usually described as Justice, not torture. If you harm someone, the law requires a proportional payment.
The Purpose of the Command: God tells us to love our enemies because vengeance belongs to God (Deut 32:35). Humans are commanded to love their enemies to prevent the "cycle of blood" from destroying society. We are too biased to judge; God is the only "Righteous Judge."
2. The Translation Muddle: Gehenna vs. Hell
Much of the "torture" imagery comes from the New Testament word Gehenna.
The Context: Gehenna was a literal place—the Valley of Hinnom outside Jerusalem—where trash was burned. It was a symbol of destruction, not a torture chamber.
Action vs. Feeling: When Jesus (Yahshuah) says to love your enemies, he uses the word Agapé (action-based love). He isn't saying you must have "warm feelings" for someone who hurt you; he is saying you must treat them with human dignity because they, too, are made in the image of God.
3. The Philosophical Rebuttal: The Nature of God
If God is "Love" (as discussed in the 1 John context), how is punishment justified?
The Parental Analogy: A parent loves their child but will still "punish" them (discipline) to correct their path. Proponents argue that God’s judgments are about restoring order, not satisfying a "need" to see someone suffer.
Free Will: Many theologians argue that "Hell" isn't a place God sends people, but a state of being where people choose to be apart from God. If God is the source of all life and light, being away from Him feels like "fire" or "darkness" by definition.
4. Challenging the Premise
You asked: "Why does God tell us to love our enemies when he tortures His?"
From a critical or skeptical view, this is seen as a contradiction of character. If a human leader tortured their enemies, we would call them a tyrant. Therefore, critics argue that:
Either God does not torture His enemies (The "Annihilationist" view: they just die/vanish).
Or the "Love your enemies" command is meant to keep humans peaceful and submissive, while the threat of "Hell" is used as a tool of control.
The "Only Logical Conclusion"?
If we follow the Participatory Universe logic we discussed earlier, the "Reality" of God's love or wrath is often a reflection of the "Information" we feed into our worldview.
If we view God through the lens of Legalism, He looks like a Judge.
If we view Him through the lens of Isaiah 9:6 (Prince of Peace), the "wrath" is seen as the necessary removal of evil so that peace can finally exist.
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