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Kevin Kuphal's Reviews > Erasing Hell: What God Said About Eternity, and the Things We've Made Up
Erasing Hell: What God Said About Eternity, and the Things We've Made Up
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After reading both Rob Bell's Love Wins and this book, perhaps both authors have achieved what they set out to do. I've spent more time thinking about Hell than I ever had before. I'm just sure if I've accomplished anything with that yet.
In the end Rob Bell's book is an easier read, theologically, because to me it outlined a Hell that is self-inflicted in which a person's rejection of God brings about their eternal fate while God is waiting with open, loving arms, only to be rejected by sinful individuals.
Francis Chan's book, however, portrays a vengeful, wrathful God whose authority is unquestionable and whose actions are just by their very nature, no matter how repugnant to us. We simply cannot understand his was but instead must submit to them, regardless. Chan's God is a much harder God to come to terms with. It is the type of message that is almost impossible to evangelize because it does not appear to come from a place of love but rather a place of fear. I don't believe that is what Chan ultimately believes or was trying to say, but the message is significantly harder to articulate to someone seeking God.
Can we reconcile Hell with love? I believe so. I believe there is mercy in God. Mercy comes from judgement as a result of love. So that leaves you with the question though, who does not receive mercy from God? That is the question I'm left wrestling with now. Maybe I'll find answers someday...
In the end Rob Bell's book is an easier read, theologically, because to me it outlined a Hell that is self-inflicted in which a person's rejection of God brings about their eternal fate while God is waiting with open, loving arms, only to be rejected by sinful individuals.
Francis Chan's book, however, portrays a vengeful, wrathful God whose authority is unquestionable and whose actions are just by their very nature, no matter how repugnant to us. We simply cannot understand his was but instead must submit to them, regardless. Chan's God is a much harder God to come to terms with. It is the type of message that is almost impossible to evangelize because it does not appear to come from a place of love but rather a place of fear. I don't believe that is what Chan ultimately believes or was trying to say, but the message is significantly harder to articulate to someone seeking God.
Can we reconcile Hell with love? I believe so. I believe there is mercy in God. Mercy comes from judgement as a result of love. So that leaves you with the question though, who does not receive mercy from God? That is the question I'm left wrestling with now. Maybe I'll find answers someday...
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Reading Progress
Started Reading
January 1, 2012
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Finished Reading
April 6, 2012
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Jim
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Feb 11, 2013 10:42PM
I believe hell cannot be reconciled. Yes God is merciful. Yes God is loving. But he is also Holy and Just. If he wasn't than his words would be contradictory and therefore false. Easiest place to find the consequences of our sins are in Romans. "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23 NASB) God in his mercy and grace has given us free will to choose our path. In this very common passage we hear all the time, we see truth. A choice. Our choice. Not trying to confuse or detour you brother, just trying to shed some light (or maybe not lol). We can read all the "books" we want but ultimately it's God's word where we find truth. Allowing the Holy Spirit to show us his truth. Hope you find the answers your looking for. You'll be in my prayers :)
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