So that the travel time would not be wasted I would read my Bible on both journeys. In doing so, around thirty chapters could be read in one day. For example, sixteen chapters of Proverbs could be read on the outward journey and fifteen on the return.
My Bible was large and could not be carried in my pocket, so was obvious to those who saw me. One day when entering my workplace, about ten minutes before 'clock-on' time, I was confronted by the manager. His exact words are now beyond recollection but the conversation went something like this.
"Andrew, what is that book you are carrying?"
"It's a Bible, sir."
"Are you a Christian then?"
"Yes, I am."
"Tell me, what happens when we die?"
At that time my understanding was built on tradition that included the notion that the soul was immortal, and went somewhere else in the 'hereafter.'
"Well, if we are a Christian, we go to Heaven."
"But if we are not a Christian, where do we go then?"
I would rather he had not asked this and his direct questions were a little abrasive, but I tried to be faithful to the gospel I understood.
"If we are not saved, the Bible says we go to Hell..."
"But doesn't God love everyone?"
"Yes, He does."
"And this place called Hell - what's it like?"
"It's a place of punishment."
"What kind of punishment?"
"Well, the Bible says it is a place where the wicked are burned up."
"Is this for ever and ever?"
"Yes."
"Tell me, who made Hell?"
"Well, the Bible says God made everything, so He must
have made Hell.
"And why did He make Hell."
"To punish the wicked."
"But you have just said that God loves everyone. Why then
did He make Hell? Could He not have foressen what would
happen, that countless millions would suffer in Hell forever?"
For the first time in my life I found myself embarassed with the 'gospel' of evangelical tradition, and though these questions were obvious, these were matters I had studiously avoided. Fortunately for me the time to start work arrived, and I escaped further questioning, but like Saul of Tarsus, I found myself kicking against the goads, and God was preparing me to receive the transcendent truths of His purpose to reconcile all to Himself.
