On Hell

The Christian blogosphere is on fire this week with people weighing in on Rob Bell's new book Love Wins which has brought up charges of universalism against the author from many people (a charge that Bell himself flatly denies). There are plenty of thoughtful and balanced responses to Bell's new book out there that you should read (and even more horrible and poorly constructed attacks from Bell's usual detractors), but a secondary discussion that it has raised - and perhaps something we should be grateful to Rob for regardless of how orthodox his book may or may not be - is the question of Hell, eternity and final punishment.

One of my favourite Biblical Scholars (and prolific blogger himself) is Dr. Ben Witherington III - and he has posted a really insightful and balanced explanation of the theological problems with the doctrine of Hell. I like this article because Ben explores the strengths and weaknesses of both of the major viewpoints on Hell (Eternal Torment and Annihilationism) and informs without forcing a conclusion on the reader. I'd encourage you to take a look at it here if you're interested in these things, and the hot theological topics of today by clicking here.

Here is an excerpt of Dr. Witherington's thoughts:

Does the NT teach that 1) there is a Hell, and 2) some folks are going there (not necessarily in a handbasket), and 3)  they will experience eternal torment once there?

I have put the matter in three parts, because you could answer questions 1) and 2) with an emphatic yes,  and in fact say no to 3).  Indeed, there is a time-honored tradition of interpreting the NT to say that what happens to the damned is that they are consumed in Hell or Gehenna or the Lake of Fire — pick your favorite moniker — but then, since they are consumed, there is no eternal torment.  Their suffering does not go on and on forever.  And one of the possible implications of interpreting the NT this way is that when we finally get around to the last rodeo, which is to say to the new heaven and new earth, only believers in Christ are left standing on the premises.   Now this is certainly not universalism in the typical modern sense of the term; it’s not an “all dogs go to heaven” kind of universalism, or a Unitarian kind of universalism.   This is, instead, the view that except for those who willfully and knowingly refuse to have any part in Christ and his kingdom,  ‘Love Wins’.

And later on

What about texts which suggest that Hell is  a place of eternal torment?  Yes, there are such texts, and they can be interpreted that way.  Perhaps the most famous of these texts is 2 Thess 1.5-10  which should be quoted in full:

“All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. ⁶ God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you ⁷ and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. ⁸ He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. ⁹ They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might ¹⁰ on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.”   Note—- there is that word aeon, in this case aeonion in vs. 9, and in the NIV  translated ‘eternal’, as above.

To read the full discussion follow the link above the quotes, and don't forget to read the comments too - there is a great discussion going on as people interact with and push back to Dr. Witherington as well. Happy St. Patrick's Day and remember - I posted today's Transformer yesterday so enjoy the links instead.

Chris