Welcome to Hell

The word "hell" in the more recent English bibles is translated from one word, Gehenna, which means "Valley of Hinnom." It is outside of Jerusalem and the end scene of an apocalyptic battle in Isa 66. Gehenna was a place of sacrifice to Molech and where they burned bodies after battles. There is no evidence that it was a garbage dump as often claimed (with no reference). 

Jesus uses the word Gehenna more than anyone else (while speaking in Jerusalem, not in Galilee!!), but he didn't talk about what we think of as "hell" more than anyone else. That was Paul by most counts. 

Did Jesus descend to Hades? Part 1

I have written previously on whether or not Jesus descended into hell here. But my friend, Andrew, tagged me in a comment for this article by Joe Rigney on Jesus descending to Hades wondering what my thoughts were . I couldn't comment on the Facebook post because it was shared by someone with restricted comments so I thought I'd share them with everyone. Here's the link to the article followed by quotes and my commentary.

http://www.churchleaders.com/pastors/pastor-articles/252233-descended-hell.html#.VS-bC3XvM9A.facebook

"We all know that Jesus died... But what happened after he died? We know that his body was laid in Joseph’s tomb, but what about his human soul?"

And what I find shocking is that Rigney conclude that..."Jesus’ soul went to Hades...." The reason why I find this shocking is because Joe Rigney blogs at desiringgod.org which is a staunchly reformed website named after the book, "Desiring God" by their chief figurehead, John Piper. Piper has spoken about and written his own blog post on this subject defending that the textual evidence for such a view is weak and he believes Jesus' soul went to Heaven when he died until his resurrection.

Asking what happened after Jesus died is a great question. I think that the article by Rigney does an excellent job of addressing it and gives a thoroughgoing explanation with an encouraging message at the end.  In my post on whether Jesus descended into hell, I make a similar claim: "...[Jesus] was among the dead between his death and resurrection whether you take it as a literal grave of the dead or a metaphorical/spiritual underworld/realm." So, I'm in support of this article's conclusions as one of two options. However, I have not come to the same understanding as this author does. 

"Death is separation, a dividing of things that ought to be united. Fundamentally, it is separation from God....But of course, death is more than just separation from God. Death also marks the separation of the soul from the body. God made human beings to be embodied souls and ensouled bodies, and death rips this union asunder."

 First, I don't agree with his definition of death. This isn't how we define the term or use it in most instances, and the Bible doesn't generally use it this way either. With rare exceptions where the word is used figuratively, 'death' means that the person dies physically. If one is a dualist, which I am not, and one thinks that the soul departs from the body at death this departure is still not death. This would be an effect of the death of the body. It is the body that is said to be dead and the spirit/soul is 'alive' and therefore not dead. Therefore death cannot mean separation in this instance, but the death of the body causes separation of body and soul.

Second, I don't think the soul/spirit is some immaterial substance that can survive death. With Martin Luther and many others I hold to 'soul sleep' and think that the human person is a whole that cannot be separated and survive. I am what in theological terms is called a 'monist'; I believe a human person is a single entity. Yes, it can be described as having various 'parts', but they make up one indivisible whole. In philosophy of mind this view is referred to as 'non-reductive physicalism'.

So I don't think of a human being as having a soul. I think you are a soul primarily because it is what I see in the Bible. In Genesis, for example, it says that God made man out of the dust and breathed the breath of life into him and he became a living soul. A 'soul' was not breathed into him, life was and the 'living dust' is called a living soul. Not only that, but after the fall, God says 'for dust you are and to dust you shall return.'. And the word for 'soul' is used for all of the other animals created beforehand. This is why the more modern translations say 'creature' instead of soul in this instance. They are being more consistent than the KJV and other translations where the creation of man is the first use of the english word 'soul' making it appear as a more unique creation than the text suggests in that manner (Though I do think the text is saying humans are unique by other means).

Now, I don't hold this monist view dogmatically and could very well be wrong. The point is that words we often think imply dualism are not doing so necessarily. I agree with Dr. Glenn Peoples who thinks that the primary reason for upholding a dualist view of human persons is cultural and theological (Read more about his defence of monism here and here).  And what is the primary/only theological belief that requires dualism? The belief that when people die they are in Hades and Paradise or Hell and Heaven....or in the case of Rigney, Hades and Heaven!

More to come in part 2...

Why write about Hell?

If nothing else, can we agree that this is a pretty awesome wallpaper? I mean, look at it. It's a ghost ship from hell sailing toward a lava waterfall. Maybe there's pirates. I don't know...

I've heard through the grapevine and been approached by a few people this week who are concerned about my views on hell and where they are headed. So far it has been based in confusion and misunderstanding so I thought it would be good to remind everyone why I'm writing about this subject in the first place. Here is an excerpt from my first post on it:

I've been thinking about this subject on and off for over two years and have decided start writing and dialoguing on it. There are a few reasons for this, but I suppose the biggest reason is because there is a lot of fear and misinformation surrounding the subject. I want to be fair, clear, and help bring a charitable dialogue for those who have, are, and will ask questions about it. You can leave a comment, send me a message, or speak to me in person. I am aware that for many this subject is sensitive. For others it's quite controversial.

You can read the entire post here: The First Post on the Last Judgement

I've thought about this.... a lot. I've studied most of the relevant verses in the Bible and read plenty of the books written on the subject. I've searched the web and listened to hours of podcasts. And after doing all of this I'm convinced that one of the biggest problems on this subject is misinformation and misrepresentation. I think the church needs to have a conversation about hell and the vast majority have not yet had it in an open and honest way that takes the challenge of conditionalism and/or universalism seriously or examines the relevant texts from all angles. It simply doesn't happen.

What I'm attempting to do is present all three views clearly, fairly, and without bias. I completely understand why some would get confused and think that I am endorsing a particular view. But please don't misunderstand where I'm coming from. It should read as if I hold whatever view I'm writing about on any post you read because I've taken the time to understand that perspective and to present it fairly and accurately.

I trust that most readers have understood this and hope that this post has clarified any confusion. If not, There are plenty of ways to contact me. Feel free to leave a comment below. Tweet me @jm_schroeder or email me: jasonschroeder@gmail.com

My Trip to Rethink Hell

I've launched an Indigogo campaign and here's why:

The Opportunity

For over two years I've been studying all about the nature of Hell and Final Punishment. Lately, I've been blogging a lot about it and there has been great support and interest from friends, colleagues, and abroad.

Recently, I was approached by a member of rethinkinghell.com to join their Facebook group because he had found my blog and enjoyed it. Within minutes of joining, another member offered to pay my fee for their upcoming conference if I could make it. I am honoured to have this recognition and endorsement and want to accept the offer.

As far as I know, this conference is unprecedented in the history of the church. The theme is 'Conditional Immortality and the Challenge of Universal Salvation.' It will be held at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena California June 18-20 and include speakers from each of the three major views on hell.

The goal is to raise $500 CAD to cover the cost of my flight and accommodation. In return, I will be writing blog posts about each plenary session, breakout session, and the conference as a whole. It is an amazing opportunity and I hope you can contribute to help me get there.

The Blog and The Book

As many of you know, I have been blogging a lot about the subject and plan to continue to do so. But what you may not realize is how far reaching my blog actually is. Although my primary readership is from Canada and the USA, in last month I have had readers from the UK, Russia, France, and Mexico as well as occasional hits from Malaysia, Australia, Indonesia, and India. By blogging about the conference many people will have access and feedback they may not otherwise have had.

What I also hope to achieve in attending this conference is to find inspiration, further material, and networking for the book I plan to write and have published on the nature of hell. The working title is 'Hell and Ice Cream: The Current Flavours of the Last Judgement." The theme and tone will be light and disarming to help readers engage the difficult and often controversial subject. My plan is to present the topic and all three views clearly, without rebuttal, and with as little bias as possible. Meeting key thinkers, writers, and speakers on the subject is invaluable in accomplishing my goal of getting this book printed and in your hands.

Your Support and Your Help

Any financial contribution you can make is appreciated, but I can also use help getting the word out. Send emails, tweet, share on Facebook, and more using this link:

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/jason-s-trip-to-rethink-hell/x/8769300

Thank you so much for your support and for taking the time to read about this campaign.

Comparing the 3 Views: The Hell Triangle

Now that we have looked at each of the three views in brief, we can begin to compare and contrast them. One of the best aids to do so is the above diagram by Ronnie Demler of rethinkinghell.com. I hope you will find it as useful as I have. Here is a brief explanation to help navigate it.

Each point is a placeholder for a view with a description of the nature of the 'fire of hell'. Traditionalism thinks the fire causes suffering, Conditionalists think it is destruction, and Universalists think it purifies.

Written on each line connecting each point is a shared belief of the two  in contrast with the view that is opposite. In contrast to Traditionalism, the other two believe that suffering will end and that evil will be eradicated. In contrast to Universalism, the other two believe that the judgement is final and the punishment is eternal. In contrast to Conditionalism, the other two believe in universal immortality.

In the centre we see what God will do with evil according to each view. It will be restrained, converted, or destroyed accordingly.

There are also a few nuanced views with arrows coming from Traditionalism and Conditionalism which I have touched on in part. Each will need a full blog post in the future.

• Partial Conditionalism is the belief that human beings will be destroyed but that Satan beings will be tormented forever.
• Dehumanization is a growing view held by N. T. Wright and others who think human beings will become mere 'creatures' and no longer bear the image of God. A sort of 'un-creation'.
• Reconciliationism holds that sin will cease and torment will end yet the lost will never enter the new Creation/Heaven.
• Separationsim I have written about a lot. It holds that people choose hell apart from God.

Universalism in Church History

I have written previously about the views of hell in Christian history when we looked at conditionalism in the early church. I didn't do a post for early traditionalists for two reasons. First, it is self evident that there have been adherents throughout church history. Second, I already had enough to write about that I thought would advance the conversation in more helpful ways. However, I think it would be good to do at a later date since many traditionalists assume far too much support when the reality is that there was not a constantly held tradition on hell until after Augustine in the late 4th - early 5th century.

Today I will cover some key figures and movements who held to universalism through the whole of church history. As with traditionalism and conditionalism, we have to look for statements by authors that do not simply quote scripture since the passages of Scripture are said to be compatible with each view. The following are recognized by multiple scholars (not just universalists) as christian thinkers and leaders who held to some form of universalism:

• Clement of Alexandria (c. 150-215) though heavily disputed
• Origin (c. 185-254)
• Gregory of Nyssa (c. 335-390's)
• Peter Bohler (1712-1775) claimed by G. Whitefield in a letter to J. Wesley
• Friedrich Schleiemacher (1768-1834)
• John Murray (1741-1815)
• George MacDonald (1824-1905)
• Hannah Whitall Smith (1832-1911)
• William Barclay (1907-1978)

This is not an exhaustive list and even more are modestly claimed to seemingly teach universalism. An interesting study by Richard Baukham cover the subject with commentary and additional information such as this:

"Origen's universalism was involved in the group of doctrines known as 'Origenism', about which there were long controversies in the East. A Council at Constantinople in 543 condemned a list of Origenist errors including Apokatastasis, but whether this condemnation was endorsed by the Fifth Ecumenical Council (553) seems in doubt. At any rate the condemnation of Origenism discredited universalism in the theological tradition of the East. In the West, not only Origen's heretical reputation but also Augustine's enormous influence ensured that the Augustinian version of the doctrine of hell prevailed almost without question for many centuries."