And I already withdrew the adjective “idiosyncratic” here.
It is however hard to see how “eternal fire” is an even remotely applicable metaphor for “eternal existence where God allows people who prefer doing their will instead of God’s will can to continue to do so”.
Hence I would use the adjective “fanciful” (but not “beautiful”) to describe this strained-past-breaking-point interpretation.
“Eternal fire” at first glance evokes the impression of severe punishment. At a more deconstructed level, pain and intensity – which would appear to be the very antithesis of what @Michelle is describing.
A better metaphor for such a description for being detached from God’s warmth and light would be something that evoked the impression of coolness, dimness and mutedness. An overcast late autumn day perhaps.
I’m not saying that Michelle’s God isn’t a nicer God – quite the opposite. I am just saying it is hard to see such a God use the metaphor “eternal fire” for what he is trying to describe.
All this is admiting that I am not an expert in Ancient Near Eastern cultures, but (i) I think the imagery involved is sufficiently primal as to transcend cultural barriers, and (ii) it does not appear that CS Lewis or Tim Keller have any particularly profound expertise in this area either.