The Doctrine of Hell

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May 17, 2011

The Doctrine of Hell



     I recall during my course of employment in a bakery factory not far from here, a co-worker who would from time to time mention a notable person of fame that had just recently died perhaps from old age, but more often tragically, from an accident, suicide or unintentional drug overdose. Almost invariably he would say; "Well, [old-so-and-so] bit the dust last night!" And then with a big smile on his face and in almost utter glee he would add; "I reckon he/she is burning up in eternal hell-fire about now!" I understand how easily believers can inadvertently slip into a smug attitude over time that adopts the tendency to gloat over others in such a manner. This, however, was never the attitude of Jesus and it is never appropriate or called for among His followers! At the close of His ministry, as Jesus looked out over Jerusalem, He uttered words of deep grief and compassion for that city’s people;

     Forty years hence, the city of Jerusalem was utterly torched by the Roman army with many of its people killed in cold blood and Jesus knew this was to happen. His concern, however, was not for that tragedy alone, but also for the fact that many of these people and those throughout Palestine would choose to reject His divine Sonship thus placing themselves in spiritual and eternal jeopardy. A major key to understanding the doctrine of hell according to Jesus is that of choice. Jesus said;

     Through the years people have always rejected Him; closed their eyes, ears and hearts to Him. Throughout their lives, they have mocked Him, derided Him, opposed Him and demanded that He leave them alone. And ultimately, if they continue in their rebellion and unbelief, He will grant their request! Though Jesus in His teaching and stories did speak of casting people into hell or outer darkness, in a very real sense, it is just as appropriate to say that God sends no one to Hell. The Apostle Paul warned his young protégée, Titus about quarrelsome believers who persisted in their divisive behavior even though they had been rebuked by Titus. From Paul’s perspective, they were "self condemned" (Titus 3:11). People, by their own negligence or rejection, become volunteers for hell.
     It has been said that "hell is not a real place. It is only a state of mind--a figment of one’s imagination." I can certainly understand and identify to some extent with such a notion. I spent over four years in a deep dark depression which I have often described as ‘going to hell and back.’ And it is also true that by our attitudes--our state of mind, in large measure, we do make either our own heaven or hell right here on earth. However, frequently in the same context of His teaching concerning hell, Jesus also spoke of heaven . He often contrasted the ultimate end of those whom He considered to be wicked with those who were to be eternally "blessed." It should follow, therefore, that if there is no real place that Jesus has called ‘hell,’ then in all likelihood, there is no place called ‘heaven’ as well.
     At the close of His ministry Jesus’ predicted His death and abandonment by His disciples. And in the midst of that very sad and somber moment, Jesus gave His followers one of the most comforting and memorable statements of hope and encouragement of His career. He said:

     From Jesus’ perspective, heaven is the place where His Father dwells in addition to the place where He and His followers will have a permanent home--a dwelling to which He will take them upon His return at the very end. It is reasonable and appropriate to conclude that if heaven is a permanent place for faithful believers, then hell is to be the permanent place in which those who refuse to hold faith must find themselves. Following his betrayal of Jesus, Judas returned the thirty pieces of blood money to the temple and then went outside the city of Jerusalem and hung himself. Referring to this very event, following Jesus’ ascension to heaven, the remaining apostles requested divine guidance in selecting the one to fill Judas’ apostolic vacancy with the following words; "Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go [to his own place (KJV)] where he belongs" (Acts 1:25).
     In declaring His Father’s great love for all those who dwell upon the earth, Jesus also expressed His deep longing that no one should perish as well through His Apostle, Peter:

     Mike Hamm of Stroh Church of Christ said in his lesson on hell: "What is it that perishes in hell? -All hope, -and joy, -and comfort, -and strength, -and wisdom, -and all that is good and holy. All of this perishes along with the one who should be the permanent possessor of all these good things of God." This is God’s full intention and passion, but many will sabotage His best efforts to bring them to repentance and faith by their foolish and obstinate choices.
     In renewing the covenant with the people of Israel at the end of his work as their leader, Joshua’s charge to them then is as relevant to each of us today;

[It is true, of course, that this post cannot be an exhaustive study of the doctrine of hell. There are several aspects that simply could not be included here at this time. What have you learned in regard to this teaching?]