Beyond Heaven and Hell – The True Motivation of Believers

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This article explores the motivation behind faith: Would you remain a Christian if there were no heaven and no hell? Would you want to go to heaven if God weren't there, but all your friends and comforts were there? Is that enough for you? This question compels us to reflect on the motivation behind our faith. And how can we effectively communicate our faith and our motives, especially in an increasingly secular world? This is where the role of the ambassador in Christianity comes into play.

Excursus: The role of the ambassador

In his book *Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions*, Gregory Koukl describes the role of Christians as ambassadors. He highlights three fundamental skills that a good ambassador should possess:

1. Content: Knowledge of Holy Scripture and the Gospel.
2. Method: The ability to use the tools of a diplomat to express oneself clearly and persuasively.
3. Behavior: The embodiment of Christ's character in dealing with others (in gentleness, with appreciation, …).

Effective, Christ-like communication (especially in discussions with unbelievers) must be seasoned with salt (cf. Col 4:6). Our interactions, particularly at the beginning of a conversation with unbelievers, should not resemble a military assault, but rather diplomatic efforts. Avoid arguments based on foolish speculation (cf. 2 Tim 2:14, 23).

Leave a stone in his shoe

• Don't push for immediate results in every conversation with non-believers. Sometimes the fruit isn't ripe yet. Be faithful in planting. God will do the rest.
• Make it your goal to give everyone something that makes them think and occupies their thoughts in a lasting way – like a small stone in your shoe that can't simply be ignored.

In the following section, we will take a closer look at one question:

"If God were not in heaven and there were no hell, would you still want to be a Christian?"

First of all, it's important to understand the logic behind the question. The implicit assumption is: no sin → no hell → no need for a savior → no need for Christianity.

This chain of assumptions leads to the conclusion that Christianity is based solely on the existence of sin and hell. Without these elements, the necessity for Christ and Christianity seems to disappear. But is that really the core of the Christian faith?

Before we give some answers to this question, the following point is important to mention.

To effectively answer such questions and clarify the true motives behind them, it is helpful to use a targeted questioning technique. This technique helps to explore the assumptions and thoughts of the other person without immediately becoming defensive. Through targeted questioning, we can challenge the logic and foundations of our conversation partner's statements while simultaneously fostering an open and respectful discussion.

Basic principles of the questioning tactic

1. Show curiosity: Ask questions to learn more about your conversation partner's position.
2. Clarify: Ask for detailed explanations to ensure you understand the statements correctly.
3. Questioning: Ask questions that uncover the internal contradictions or weaknesses in the argumentation of the person you are speaking with.

An example conversation is attached:

"If God were not in heaven and there were no hell, would you still want to be a Christian?"

Step 1: Show curiosity

You: “That’s an interesting question. What exactly do you mean by that? Why are you asking if the existence of hell plays a role in my faith?”

Questioner: "Well, I think many people only believe in God because they are afraid of hell. If there were no hell, there would be no reason to believe in God."

Step 2: Clarify

You: “I see. Do you believe that the fear of hell is the main motivation for the Christian faith?”

Questioner: "Yes, at least that seems to be the case for many people."

Step 3: Questioning

You: "That's interesting. Assuming there was no hell, what do you think would be the most important motivation for people to believe in God?"

Questioner: "Perhaps they would focus more on other aspects of the faith, such as the golden heaven or moral values."

You: “Hmmm… Would you say that the relationship with God himself can be an important part of the Christian faith?”

Questioner: "You have to tell me that!"

You: “We weren’t saved for a thing—a pleasant place called Heaven—but for a person. We would still want the kind of friendship with God that He intended for us from the beginning! What do you think about the idea that faith in God is based on love and trust, rather than fear? For me personally, the relationship with God is the central aspect of my faith. The hope of Heaven and avoiding Hell are aspects, but they are not the core of my faith. Do you think a faith based solely on fear can truly be deep and fulfilling?”

Note: Such questions, and similar ones, are based on false premises. They reduce faith in Christ to a mere transaction to avoid punishment, which does not do justice to the true nature of Christianity.

The essence of Christianity: relationship instead of transaction

Christianity teaches that humankind was created for communion with God. The Fall and sin broke this communion. Through Christ, reconciliation with God is possible. This restoration is not primarily about avoiding punishment, but about achieving a state of oneness with God.

A life in Christ: A life in Christ means being part of a new creation that begins here and now and continues into eternity. This communion with Christ is the true essence of Christianity. Heaven is not merely a goal, but a consequence of this relationship. Without denying the existence of hell, Christianity emphasizes that eternal life with God is of infinite value.

John Piper once posed a provocative question: “Would you want to go to heaven if God wasn’t there, but all your friends were, and all the physical comforts you’ve ever wanted? Would that be your heaven?” This question raises an important point: The true longing of the Christian heart is not for material blessings, but for God himself. A heaven without God, however luxurious, would not be the true heaven for a Christian. It is the presence of God that makes heaven what it is.

Randy Alcorn describes a profound truth about the longing God has placed within us: “A resurrected life in a resurrected body with the resurrected Christ on a resurrected earth.” Our hope and our goal is not a place, but a renewed and perfect fellowship with Christ in a renewed creation.

C.S. Lewis also beautifully expresses this longing: “If I feel a yearning within me that cannot be satisfied by any experience of the world, the most likely explanation for this is that I was created for another world.” These words of Lewis emphasize that our deepest longing cannot be satisfied by earthly things, but only by fellowship with God in the eternal world.

Fellowship with Christ is the true core of Christianity.

Examples from missionary history

Two missionaries from the past who had a deep longing to encounter God were David Brainerd and Amy Carmichael.

David Brainerd (1718-1747) was an American missionary among the Native Americans in colonial America whose diaries reflect a deep longing for God and a burning passion for spreading the Gospel. Despite serious illness and great hardship, he found his greatest joy in God's presence. His writings reveal a profound experience of the divine presence that gave him strength and peace amidst all his challenges.

Amy Carmichael (1867–1951) was an Irish missionary who spent 55 years in India, where she cared for vulnerable children and founded the Dohnavur Fellowship. Carmichael's writings and poems reveal a deep, intimate relationship with God. She rejected any notion of a comfortable, luxurious heaven, emphasizing that true paradise is where God is present. Her devotion and sacrifice testify to a love that is not tied to external circumstances but to the presence of God.

True paradise is where God is present.

Conclusion

The question, "If there were no hell, would you still be a Christian?" misses the point of the Christian faith. It is not the fear of hell that primarily motivates Christians, but love for Christ and the longing for a deep, eternal communion with God. We have been saved not for a place, but for a person.

Christ is the center of our faith, and our relationship with Him shapes our lives and our aspirations. It is not the material luxuries of heaven, but the presence of God that makes heaven a place of ultimate fulfillment.

To share this profound truth, we as Christians must be good ambassadors. This means knowing the gospel well, using diplomatic tools wisely, and responding with gentleness and love. In this way, we can respectfully "put stones in the shoes" of unbelievers—by asking thoughtful questions that encourage reflection and prompt them to examine their own beliefs. This helps others discover the true motivation and core of the Christian faith: the transformative relationship with God through Christ.

Thomas Fenske

Tellig municipality