Week #2: Hell
Blog Series Intention Recap
What happens after you die? Is it nothingness? Is it a conversation with St. Peter? Are there really pearly gates?
So You’re Dead, Now What?
The afterlife is cloaked in mystery. What happens moments after we die? What is Heaven really like? What about Hell? And does what we do in this world matter in the next? Join us as we spend four weeks uncovering the life-altering answers to these questions.
This post is part of the series “So You Are Dead, Now What?” Click here to see the rest of the posts.
Let’s jump into Week #2:
Hell exists for God to deal righteously with Satan and unbelievers.
Why it matters:
Hell is a place of righteous judgment.
Hell was created for Satan and his angels.
Hell punishes those who do not believe.
Hell is a place of unimaginable suffering.
Two alternative views to the traditional view of hell are annihilationism and universalism.
Go Deeper
My parents tell a story about me that I have no recollection of happening. We all have these types of stories. However, if you are one of my two sisters and you are reading this post, part of me feels a little bad.
The story goes that I came to know Christ very young. In my best recollection and piecing documents together, I came to know Christ around September 1980. My parents made me wait until the following May to get baptized. So the story goes that sometime after I chose to follow Jesus, I told my sisters of their eternal destination. They were such sinners that unless they chose God right then and there, they were headed to hell. Mom and Dad couldn’t stop it. They would be put in the fire and they would never be able to get out of it. Legend has it, I gained one convert and one was stubborn and told Mom and Dad that I said, “Hell.” The real question I have always wondered. How do you discipline your child for the correct usage of a word? Dam, Hell, etc.
I struggle with the concept of hell. As a firstborn, justice is in my blood. I want fairness. I want rightness. I want my younger siblings to have to deal with the same stuff I did. So for me, hell as a place of punishment for those who don’t choose God (Satan included made since). However, the older I get the less I see it as a place of fairness and more as a place I don’t want to people to experience.
See everyone wonders about what happens after death. Hell is of the most serious topics in the Bible. Understanding why hell exists and what it means for us can change how we live today. The concept of hell has been a topic of theological debate throughout Christian history. While the traditional view of hell as a place of eternal punishment for the wicked is widely accepted, alternative views such as annihilationism and universalism offer different perspectives. This post explores these theological beliefs, providing a comprehensive understanding of the doctrine of hell.
Why Does Hell Exist?
I want to explore three different views of Hell. Theologians are always trying to understand Scripture better. So let’s start with the traditional view of Hell.
Eternal Punishment
The traditional Christian view holds that hell is a place of eternal punishment for those who reject God. This belief is grounded in several key Bible passages. In Matthew 25:46, Jesus speaks of the final judgment, stating, "Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life." Similarly, Revelation 20:10 describes the devil, the beast, and the false prophet being tormented "day and night for ever and ever."
Hell Exists for God to Deal Righteously with Satan
Hell is a place of punishment prepared specifically for Satan and his angels. Matthew 25:41 says, "Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels." Satan has rebelled against God and leads others into sin. Hell ensures that he receives just punishment.
Hell Exists for God to Deal Righteously with Unbelievers
Those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel will also face judgment. 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 explains, "He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and the majesty of his power." Hell is a place where God deals justly with unbelievers who have rejected His grace.
Hell Is a Place of Unimaginable Suffering
Jesus used strong language to describe the horrors of hell. In Matthew 5:29, He said, "If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell."
Revelation 14:10-11 provides a vivid picture of hell’s torment: "They will drink of the wine of God's fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. They will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment rises forever and ever. There is no rest day or night."
Hell is often referred to as Gehenna, a place of everlasting punishment. This term comes from the Valley of Hinnom, a place of constant fire and decay outside Jerusalem. Hell’s suffering is far worse and eternal.
The Rich Man and Lazarus
Jesus told a story about a rich man and a poor man named Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31. The rich man lived in luxury, while Lazarus suffered. When they died, Lazarus went to be with Abraham, but the rich man went to hell. A lot of theologians will extrapolate what we think about hell from this story.
The Rich Man’s Experience in Hell
In hell, the rich man was in torment. He saw Lazarus far away with Abraham and begged for relief. "So he called to him, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire'" (Luke 16:24). This story shows that hell is a place of great suffering and regret. The rich man was fully aware of his torment and longed for even a moment of relief.
Lessons from the Other Side
From the story of the rich man and Lazarus, we learn important lessons about hell:
The Rich Man Was Fully Conscious: He was aware of his suffering and remembered his life on earth.
His Eternal Destiny Was Irrevocably Fixed: Once in hell, there was no escape or second chance.
He Knew What He Was Experiencing Was Just: He did not argue about his punishment; he knew it was deserved.
He Pleaded for Someone to Help His Loved Ones: He wanted his family to avoid his fate and know Jesus.
Charles Peace, a notorious criminal, once said, “Sir, I do not share your faith. But if I did—if I believed what you say you believed—then although England were covered with broken glass from coast to coast, I would crawl the length and breadth of it on hand and knee and think the pain worthwhile, just to save a single soul from this eternal hell of which you speak.”
God Doesn’t Want Anyone to Go to Hell
Despite the reality of hell, God’s desire is that no one should perish. 2 Peter 3:9 reminds us, "The Lord is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." God offers everyone the chance to turn to Him and avoid the punishment of hell.
Historical Theological Beliefs on Hell
Early Church Fathers
Early Church Fathers such as Augustine and Tertullian were strong proponents of the eternal punishment view. Augustine, in his seminal work "City of God," argued that the suffering of the damned is unending and just. Tertullian, in his "Apologeticus," vividly described eternal fire reserved for the wicked.
Medieval and Reformation Views
During the medieval period, theologians like Thomas Aquinas reinforced the traditional view. Aquinas, in his "Summa Theologica," described hell as a state of perpetual separation from God, with the damned experiencing continuous suffering. The Reformers, including Martin Luther and John Calvin, also upheld the doctrine of eternal punishment, emphasizing the seriousness of rejecting God's grace.
Alternative Views
Annihilationism
Definition
Annihilationism, or conditional immortality, posits that the wicked will not suffer eternally but will instead be completely destroyed after the final judgment. According to this view, eternal life is a gift given only to the saved, while the unsaved face permanent extinction.
Biblical Support
Annihilationists find support in scriptures like Matthew 10:28, where Jesus warns, "Fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell." They also refer to Romans 6:23, which states, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Annihilationists argue that "death" here means total destruction rather than eternal torment.
Theological Advocates
Prominent proponents of annihilationism include John Stott and Edward Fudge. John Stott, a respected evangelical leader, argued that eternal conscious torment seems inconsistent with God's love and justice. Edward Fudge's book "The Fire That Consumes" is a thorough defense of annihilationism, providing a detailed examination of biblical texts and historical theology.
Universalism
Definition
Universalism, or universal reconciliation, is the belief that all people will ultimately be saved and reconciled to God. This view holds that God's love and mercy will eventually triumph over judgment, leading to the redemption of all souls, including those initially condemned to hell.
Biblical Support
Universalists often cite passages like 1 Timothy 2:4, which says that God "wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." They also refer to Colossians 1:20, which speaks of God reconciling "all things" to Himself through Christ, making peace through His blood shed on the cross.
Theological Advocates
Early church figures such as Origen and Gregory of Nyssa, as well as contemporary theologians like Karl Barth and Thomas Talbott, have supported universalism. Origen believed in the ultimate restoration of all beings, while Karl Barth emphasized the overwhelming power of God's grace.
Evaluating the Views
Justice and Mercy
Each view of hell attempts to balance God's justice and mercy. The traditional view underscores the seriousness of sin and the just punishment it deserves. Annihilationism emphasizes God's mercy by arguing that the wicked will not suffer forever. Universalism focuses on God's love, suggesting that He will ultimately save all people.
Scriptural Interpretation
The differing views also arise from various interpretations of scripture. The traditional view relies on passages that speak of eternal punishment and unending torment. Annihilationism interprets these passages as metaphorical, with "eternal" referring to the finality of the destruction rather than its duration. Universalism interprets scriptures about God's desire for all to be saved and reconciled as indicating eventual universal redemption.
How does this help me understand, “So You Are Dead, Now What?”
The doctrine of hell is a complex and often debated topic within Christianity. Hell is a place of righteous judgment created for Satan, his angels, and those who reject God. It is a place of unimaginable suffering and eternal regret. The story of the rich man and Lazarus teaches us about the realities of hell and the urgency to turn to Jesus. God does not want anyone to go to hell. He patiently offers us the chance to repent and believe in Jesus.
Understanding the truth about hell should impact how we live today. It should drive us to share the gospel and live in a way that honors God. Knowing what happens after death can help us make wise choices now. Choose Jesus, avoid hell, and live with eternity in mind.
The traditional view of eternal punishment has been the most widely accepted throughout history. However, annihilationism and universalism offer alternative perspectives that also seek to understand the nature of God's justice and mercy. Each view provides valuable insights and challenges us to think deeply about the character of God and the destiny of humanity. As believers, it is essential to study the scriptures, seek God's guidance, and respect differing viewpoints within the Christian community.
