Much of the reading in graduate studies is like a blur because there’s so much to digest in such a short time. But one of the most memorable books that I read in seminary will probably surprise you. It was Four Views on Hell, 2nd edition. 

When I write “memorable,” I don’t mean I love the topic. If we are all honest, the topic of Hell rubs us the wrong way. Our inward posture stiffens when we think of punishment beyond the grave. I also don’t mean it was most memorable because I enjoyed the content. It is a heavy one to wrestle through. 

Rather, it was the lessons I learned:

Lesson 1: True followers of Christ have had different positions on Hell. From the title of the blog, you can see there are four major views. The first is “The Eternal Conscious Torment” view. This is the classic approach to the topic that asserts those who do not believe in Christ will perish eternally in Hell under the wrath of God. 

The second view is “The Terminal Punishment.” This view says that the sufferings of Hell will be so fierce that though they will end, they will feel like an eternity. This view says that Hell is not forever and will end. 

The third perspective is known as “Universalism,” which basically says that all people will be saved by Christ even if they rejected Him in this life or at least they will have a post-mortem opportunity to be saved. Of the four views, this one had almost no scriptural argumentation, and I was surprised to find that some of the early church fathers believed this doctrine. Clearly, the church has never been infallible in interpreting Scripture. 

The fourth view presented was “Purgatory,” which I didn’t know existed among Evangelicals, but apparently a minority holds to it. Purgatory is a temporal state that purges us to make us fit for Heaven. Again, woefully weak on scriptural argumentation. 

Lesson 2:  We cannot allow our feelings to interpret Scripture. If I am honest, I walked away from the book wishing the “Terminal” punishment view were true, and that the sufferings of Hell would not be forever. This “feeling” underscores how we chafe at an eternal Hell and the reason we respond this way is because we do not understand the greatness of God and His intrinsic, eternal worth. 

Denny Burke, who advocates the “Eternal Conscious Torment” view in the book, suggests that the higher value and appreciation we have of someone or something, the higher the penalty we see necessary when that person or thing is violated. The following is his example and warning– it is a little gory. He suggests, if you saw someone in a park pulling the legs off a grasshopper, you would probably think it was weird and would walk a little faster to get away. If he was pulling the legs off of a frog, you might respond the same way. You might say something to a person pulling the wings off of a bird. What about a puppy? That would cross a line in most people’s minds, and you would probably call the police. What about a baby? We would be certain to jump in and call the cops to stop that level of madness. Why would you act differently in each situation? It is because of the worth and value you place on each object that is being attacked. Friend, the worth of a holy God as presented in the Scriptures is more than we can ever fully understand and our sin against Him is deliberate and defiant. 

Our “feelings” are completely irrelevant to Biblical interpretation and what’s actually there. Whether I wish it were different or not does not change what God has revealed. Instead of us trying to find a way for us to reinterpret Scripture based on how we feel, let’s ask God to change our feelings once we know the proper interpretation. 

Lesson 3: Bad theology leads to bad practice.  I believe the reason the eternal conscious torment is the classic view held throughout church history is because it is most clearly presented in Scripture. Again, what is true is true, no matter how I feel, nor who else believed it or rejected it. Yet, the evidence seems to be overwhelming in favor of the eternal conscious torment view. 

If one asserts one of the other views, it attacks other layers of theological understanding or practice. For instance, if you advocate universalism, why should we evangelize? Why put ourselves out there at the risk of offending family and friends if they are all going to make it to the pearly gates anyway? Why would Paul wish himself accursed from Christ and weep for his brethren if they would burn up in a short period of time in Hell as the “terminal view” suggests. If purgatory is a reality, it most certainly strikes a blow at the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice for sin. Do you see how one bad theological belief will inevitably affect others? This is why it is so important to think carefully and rightly about the Word of God. 

Let us walk away from this blog post with a greater zeal for God’s glory and worth. Let us seek to reach the lost for Christ. Let us seek to keep our emotions and feelings in check with the teachings of Scripture. Jesus is worthy of such virtues. 

Soli Deo Gloria!