A History of Hell

A History of Hell This is Part 1 of a 2-Part sermon.

A History of Hell This is Part 1 of a 2-Part sermon. This is challenging!

A History of Hell This is Part 1 of a 2-Part sermon. This is challenging! This sermon and the next are teaching sermons.

A History of Hell This is Part 1 of a 2-Part sermon. This is challenging! This sermon and the next are teaching sermons. Respected Christians disagree.

A History of Hell This is Part 1 of a 2-Part sermon. This is challenging! This sermon and the next are teaching sermons. Respected Christians disagree. This week=views of hell; Next week=A Biblical understanding of hell.

1. The Traditional View

1. The Traditional View Some people will not be saved. Each person is judged once and for all at death and given either eternal life or eternal condemnation.

1. The Traditional View Some people will not be saved. Each person is judged once and for all at death and given either eternal life or eternal condemnation. Hell is a place of endless, conscious punishment for sin. This punishment is sometimes interpreted literally (physical torment) and sometimes metaphorically (a state of being, spiritual suffering, separation from God).

1. The Traditional View Some people will not be saved. Each person is judged once and for all at death and given either eternal life or eternal condemnation. Hell is a place of endless, conscious punishment for sin. This punishment is sometimes interpreted literally (physical torment) and sometimes metaphorically (a state of being, spiritual suffering, separation from God). Once a person is in hell, there is no exit.

1. The Traditional View Literal – Hell is exactly as depicted in the Bible. Metaphorical -- The depictions of hell in Scripture are figurative images that describe powerfully the tragic horror of hell as a place of waste, loss, destruction, separation, and torment.

1. The Traditional View Literal – Hell is exactly as depicted in the Bible. Metaphorical -- The depictions of hell in Scripture are figurative images that describe powerfully the tragic horror of hell as a place of waste, loss, destruction, separation, and torment.

1. The Traditional View Literal – Hell is exactly as depicted in the Bible. Metaphorical -- The depictions of hell in Scripture are figurative images that describe powerfully the tragic horror of hell as a place of waste, loss, destruction, separation, and torment.

2. The Purgatorial View Based on 2 Maccabees 12:39-45

3. Conditional Immortality (Annihilationism)

3. Conditional Immortality (Annihilationism) Some people will not be saved.

3. Conditional Immortality (Annihilationism) Some people will not be saved. The human soul is not naturally immortal.

3. Conditional Immortality (Annihilationism) Some people will not be saved. The human soul is not naturally immortal. Eternal existence is a gift of God to the redeemed.

3. Conditional Immortality (Annihilationism) At the final resurrection, the unrepentant will be destroyed and cease to exist. The biblical “fire” of hell is a consuming, rather than tormenting, fire. The term "hell" refers to the process of destruction, not as a geographical location nor a permanently existing process.

3. Conditional Immortality (Annihilationism) At the final resurrection, the unrepentant will be destroyed and cease to exist. The biblical “fire” of hell is a consuming, rather than tormenting, fire. The term "hell" refers to the process of destruction, not as a geographical location nor a permanently existing process.

3. Conditional Immortality (Annihilationism) At the final resurrection, the unrepentant will be destroyed and cease to exist. The biblical “fire” of hell is a consuming, rather than tormenting, fire. The term "hell" refers to the process of destruction, not as a geographical location nor a permanently existing process.

Psalm 1:6 = the way of the ungodly shall "perish"

Psalm 1:6 = the way of the ungodly shall "perish" Matthew 10:28 = rather fear him which is able to "destroy" both soul and body in hell

Psalm 1:6 = the way of the ungodly shall "perish" Matthew 10:28 = rather fear him which is able to "destroy" both soul and body in hell John 3:16 = whosoever believeth in him should not perish (Greek: destroyed)

Psalm 1:6 = the way of the ungodly shall "perish" Matthew 10:28 = rather fear him which is able to "destroy" both soul and body in hell John 3:16 = whosoever believeth in him should not perish (Greek: destroyed) Romans 6:23 = For the wages of sin is "death"

Psalm 1:6 = the way of the ungodly shall "perish" Matthew 10:28 = rather fear him which is able to "destroy" both soul and body in hell John 3:16 = whosoever believeth in him should not perish (Greek: destroyed) Romans 6:23 = For the wages of sin is "death" 2 Thessalonians 1:9 = Who shall be punished with everlasting "destruction"

Psalm 1:6 = the way of the ungodly shall "perish" Matthew 10:28 = rather fear him which is able to "destroy" both soul and body in hell John 3:16 = whosoever believeth in him should not perish (Greek: destroyed) Romans 6:23 = For the wages of sin is "death" 2 Thessalonians 1:9 = Who shall be punished with everlasting "destruction" Revelation 20:14 = This is the second death

4. Restorationism (or Universalism)

4. Restorationism (or Universalism) All people will eventually be saved, and God will restore the creation to perfect harmony.

4. Restorationism (or Universalism) All people will eventually be saved, and God will restore the creation to perfect harmony. Eternal punishment contradicts the love of God, since God wills the salvation of all and has the power to overcome sin and evil. God’s love is stronger than human resistance.

4. Restorationism (or Universalism) All people will eventually be saved, and God will restore the creation to perfect harmony. Eternal punishment contradicts the love of God, since God wills the salvation of all and has the power to overcome sin and evil. God’s love is stronger than human resistance. Some theologians throughout history have maintained a more cautious “hopeful universalist” stance: We cannot say dogmatically that all will be saved, but neither can we deny the possibility.

“There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, ‘thy will be done,’ and those to whom God says, in the end, ‘thy will be done.’ All that are in Hell, choose it.” -- C.S. Lewis

Judging Hell (and Why Believers Needn’t Fear)

Hebrews 9:27-28 And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment, so also Christ was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him.

“The Christian…does not stand in fear of a final judgment because the judgment is already a fact in the Christian life. Final judgment is the last word on human responsibility and freedom in light of our being the creatures of God. It holds no fear for the believer, or should not.” -- Morris Ashcraft

Christfollowers need not fear judgment or hell for ourselves Christfollowers need not fear judgment or hell for ourselves. Our concern needs to be for those whose accountability for sin is uncertain. It is for them and for their judgment that we mobilize on mission.