Affirms
Hell is eternal; consequences of rejecting God's salvation.
The Moravian Church affirms that hell is a real and eternal state of separation from God for those who reject God's salvation. Hell is understood as the tragic consequence of persistent rejection of God's grace. While Zinzendorf personally hoped for universal reconciliation, this was never official Moravian doctrine. The church teaches that hell is real and eternal, though the tone is one of sorrow rather than vindictiveness. The emphasis remains on God's desire for all to be saved.
Key Distinctions
- Hell nature:
- eternal separation from God; Christ's love is emphasized; traditional Protestant hell affirmed
- Duration:
- eternal
- Who faces hell:
- those who reject God
Scripture References
Sources
- Moravian Church, Ground of the Unity
- Moravian theological writings