Christianity and Hell

While there are varying denominations of Christianity, there are also varying descriptions and beliefs about hell in the afterlife of Christians and non-Christians alike. In picking apart the concept of hell in the Christian faith, it is obvious that the idea does not have roots in a singular perspective. Hell is described in Jesus’ teachings, found in the apocalypse of Paul and Peter, littered throughout the Book of Revelations, and there are even wavering degrees of hell that are depicted among church leaders and differing denominations.

Jesus, like all prophets of the Abrahamic faiths, made proclamations about the afterlife of humans, however, these messages have roots in Judaism. One word that Jesus uses to describe this idea of hell is geenna. Described in the Gospel of Mark and Matthew, “…corpses of those who rebel against God are left unburied, exposed to the worm and never dies in the fire that is never extinguished…the death of both the body and the mortal soul” (Kyrtatas 284). Clearly, it can be speculated that Jesus is referring to a permanent hell, and, in addition, a hell that unleashes permanent torture among its inhabitants. In addition to the description of hell, there are also clues that Jesus gives as to when mortal souls will be judged. It has been debated that, because of the inconsistencies in Jesus’ teachings, judgment will be swift (immediately after death) or delayed until after his second coming (285). However, in studying Jesus’ teachings, and other gospels, it is obvious that hell is a very complex and ambiguous concept.

Turning to the Apocalypse of Peter and the Apocalypse of Paul, it is interesting to see that one document is heavily Christian based while the other has a Jewish depiction of hell. Looking at the Apocalypse of Paul, it is obvious that the sins focused on that are deserving of hell are housed in Christian rhetoric, “…half of the 25 types of sins are typically Christian, such as concern for the clergy” (Bremmer 309). Meanwhile, the Apocalypse of Peter is much more general in its nature and contends with ethical concerns, not just religious ones (314). Regardless of either apocalyptic text, it is obvious that hell is once again a varying concept and, because of this variation, it is understandable that there would be different rules and different sins that would condemn a person to hell.

Since hell is a controversial concept in the Christian faith, it makes sense that there would be differing opinions from church leaders regarding the “rules of hell.” In looking at evangelical, Anglican leader John Stott and theologian J.I. Packer, the question of whether hell is eternal is brought to the forefront. John Stott, claims that hell is not eternal and is also not a torture chamber because the idea of infinite punishment for finite crimes does not make sense, “…if God is just, how could he punish eternally a person whose sins were temporal” (LeMarquand 109). Challenging this main point is J.I. Packer, who states that the biblical evidence for the eternity of hell is too strong and concrete to ignore. Packer also argues that hell could be eternal but also metaphorical. Packer argues that it is likely that the symbolic nature of the imagery in the New Testament is actually much worse than the imagined state of hell that believers try to picture (110-111). Essentially, both Stott and Packer provide understandable interpretations of hell, given its broad description in both the bible and other apocalyptic texts.

Through the examination of the Christian concept of hell, it is obvious that there are many discrepancies and broad ideas that are open to numerous interpretations. These interpretations from the apocalyptic texts as well as from modern church leaders shows the unanswered question of the permanence of hell, which actions guarantee punishment to hell and whether or not there is a metaphorical aspect to hell. Regardless, hell will continue to be debated and examined using ancient texts as well as new conclusions from everyday believers to current and future church leaders.

Works Cited

Bremmer, Jan N. "Christian Hell: From the Apocalypse of Peter to the Apocalypse of Paul." Numen: International Review for the History of Religions 56.2/3 (2009): 298-325. Academic Search Premier. Web. 2 Nov. 2013. <http://www.brill.nl/m_catalogue.asp?sub=3

Kyrtatas, Dimitris J. "The Origins of Christian Hell." Numen: International Review for the History of Religions 56.2/3 (2009): 282-97. Academic Search Premier. Web. 2 Nov. 2013. <http://www.brill.nl/m_catalogue.asp?sub=3

LeMarquand, Grant. ""The Hell You Say": Salvation and the Final Judgment." Anglican Theological Review 95.1 (2013): 99-113. Academic Search Premier. Web. 2 Nov. 2013. <http://www.anglicantheologicalreview.org/