God's Justice?

Helloooo fellow Socratics in lands far and wide. I miss arguing, listening, learning, and laughing with you guys (and few faithful gals). I hope that all is well- for those that have graduated, and for those that are soon to be back in the grind of Duke Div.

On my way into town this morning, after listening to my usual bit of NPR news, I put the radio on scan and came across the meditation of a preacher-- David Jeremiah. I couldn't help myself, and I had to stop to listen!

According to Mr. Jeremiah, God's justice = hell... "if God is a God of love, God also is a God of justice, which means that hell is definite eternal dwelling place for those who choose not to believe."

I have some issues/concerns with this logic, but I'm interested in your thoughts! Anyone?

Augustine On Dragons

I have been studying Psalm 148 and came across this comment from Augustine on the "dragons" that praise the Lord in Psalm 148. Most modern translations translate it as "sea monsters." But this image from Augustine is too good to pass up:

“Dragons” live about the water, come out from caverns, fly through the air; the air is set in motion by them: “dragons” are a huge kind of living creatures, greater there are not upon the earth. Therefore with them he beginneth, “Dragons and all abysses.” There are caves of hidden waters, whence springs and streams come forth: some come forth to flow over the earth, some flow secretly beneath; and all this kind, all this damp nature of waters, together with the sea and this lower air, are called abyss, or “abysses,” where dragons live and praise God. What? Think we that the dragons form choirs, and praise God? Far from it. But do ye, when ye consider the dragons, regard the Maker of the dragon, the Creator of the dragon: then, when ye admire the dragons, and say, “Great is the Lord who made these,” then the dragons praise God by your voices.