What do you think?
Rate this book
Raising Hell: Christianity's Most Controversial Doctrine Put Under Fire
Have you ever considered the apparent injustices, inconsistencies, and even contradictions of the doctrine of hell? For starters, do earthly parents love their children more than God? Does God ask you to forgive your enemies when He is not willing to do the same? Is being punished forever for sins committed in a short lifetime really "justice"? Does everybody really get the same fair chance to believe in Jesus before they die? If hell is the worst possible fate of mankind, and if God is truly loving, then... Why did He fail to mention hell in Genesis as the price for sin? Why doesn't the Old Testament ever teach about or even mention hell? Why doesn't Paul, the apostle to the non-Jewish world, ever once mention hell? Why has orthodox Judaism (to whom Scriptures were given) never believed in any kind of eternal punishment or hell? Why was hell not the orthodox position of the early Church for five centuries after Christ? Why can't theologians agree if we are saved by election or free will? Dare to question. What have you got to lose? If you've ever had doubts or questions about the incompatibility of eternal torment with a merciful God, Raising Hell will open your eyes to a radical view of God's loving purpose for all humanity and what the "Good News" is really about. Picking up where Rob Bell and others leave off, Julie Ferwerda offers compelling evidence historically, philosophically, and scripturally as to why the doctrine of eternal torment is the biggest and most damaging deception of the modern Church. What people are saying about Raising Hell: "Such a book as this is seriously needed to liberate people for a loving God!" -Fr. Richard Rohr, O.F.M., Author of Falling Upward and Immortal Diamonds "The traditional view of hell is highly contestable. If you're ready to venture into some new territory, Bible in hand, you'll find Julie Ferwerda to be a wise, patient, and intrepid guide in Raising Hell." -Brian McLaren, Author of A New Kind of Christianity "Raising Hell is one of the first books I recommend to anyone who has questions about hell." -Kevin Miller, Director of Hellbound? "Julie has devoted a great deal of time and energy to producing such a well-researched and well-written book-probably hundreds of hours! She is right on target in saying that we really need to understand the intent behind the Hebrew Scriptures in order to be able to properly interpret them." -Boyd C. Purcell, Ph.D., Author of Spiritual Terrorism: Spiritual Abuse from the Womb to the Tomb
306 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
274 people are currently reading
391 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
April 4, 2012
Utterly demolishes the mainstream/traditional doctrines of eternal hell-fire and reveals it for what it is: a teaching of organized BIG religion and depraved men clinging to "the letter" and not the spirit they profess to know; It's not a teaching to be found in a real study of scripture itself.
This is one of the best reads on this subject that I've ever seen put into a published single book format; only falling short in my opinion vs. another published work, THE INESCAPABLE LOVE OF GOD by Thomas Talbot, if for no other reason than the latter is a more "beautiful" read (prose) and also has a greater in-depth comparison between all the main positions: Arminianism/Calvinism and Universalism, revealing clearly that Universalism IS the only correct (vastly most accurate to scripture and the original church fathers of the time (first 400-500 years) position for a Christian to hold (if they are sincerely honest with their study/beliefs), otherwise it's a slippery slope into grievous error on all matters of doctrinal positions if you embrace the more mainstream positions.
By far my favorite paper (not published) on this subject is without a doubt the LAKE OF FIRE series by L Ray Smith, it was a profound life-belief-changing read for me and can be found in the box midway down his page here:
http://www.bible-truths.com/
As a Christian or a curious student of religion, if you read one "religious" thing in your life short of the book professed to be understood by so many (The Bible), let it be this...it just might surprise you.
This is one of the best reads on this subject that I've ever seen put into a published single book format; only falling short in my opinion vs. another published work, THE INESCAPABLE LOVE OF GOD by Thomas Talbot, if for no other reason than the latter is a more "beautiful" read (prose) and also has a greater in-depth comparison between all the main positions: Arminianism/Calvinism and Universalism, revealing clearly that Universalism IS the only correct (vastly most accurate to scripture and the original church fathers of the time (first 400-500 years) position for a Christian to hold (if they are sincerely honest with their study/beliefs), otherwise it's a slippery slope into grievous error on all matters of doctrinal positions if you embrace the more mainstream positions.
By far my favorite paper (not published) on this subject is without a doubt the LAKE OF FIRE series by L Ray Smith, it was a profound life-belief-changing read for me and can be found in the box midway down his page here:
http://www.bible-truths.com/
As a Christian or a curious student of religion, if you read one "religious" thing in your life short of the book professed to be understood by so many (The Bible), let it be this...it just might surprise you.
February 27, 2012
Very scholarly and thoughtful look at this controversial topic, regardless of your doctrinal position on this.
April 19, 2013
I wish everyone would read this book.
June 27, 2012
One of the best books to support Biblical reconciliation. The all-consuming love of God is found in this book.
September 9, 2019
It took a bit after I was challenged to read this book to get back to a book that I HIGHLY recommend for anyone that is truthfully seeking the eternal historical God of the Bible and salvation in Christ. The Reason For God. Here is my review of that book.
What Keller does, and I have a HARD time doing is to RESPECTFULLY answer common objections to Christianity. Chapter 5 is devoted to answering the objections to Hell. Essentially they all boil down to rejecting the sovereignty of God. Julie is a classic modern "liberal" -- her god is individuality (Julie), so SHE can judge ANYTHING -- including God, historical scholarship. etc.. The book would be better titled "Razing Christianity" ... with the definition of Christianity defined as people who can truthfully say the Creeds ... Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant Christians all confess the creeds of the first thousand+ years of church history. (eg the Apostle’s, Nicene, and Athanasian creeds. Being able to truly confess these creeds is what it means to be Christian, and has been so for over a thousand years.
The the Athanasian creed begins:
"Whosoever will be saved, before all things it is necessary that he hold the catholic (universal) faith. Which faith unless everyone do keep whole and undefiled, without doubt he shall perish everlastingly."
The faith of this book is totally opposed to Christianity. The entry to Christianity is Holy Baptism, the practice is joining in confession of the creeds, Holy Communion and Holy Preaching with fellow Christians. Julie rejects that, so whatever she is, she is not a confessional Christian.
"There came a time when I left the faith. This was not because of what I learned through historical criticisms, but because I could no longer reconcile my faith in God with the state of the world that I saw all around me. There is so much senseless pain and misery in the world that I came to find it impossible to believe there is a good and loving God who is in control, despite my knowing all the standard rejoinders that people give.[21] I believe mainly what Bart is getting at is that, in light of most people “going to hell,” their suffering in this world makes no sense."
When you reject the faith, it indeed makes "no sense" (1 Cor 1:22-24) "
"Jews demand signs and Greeks search for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. "
We are born enemies of God and it is only in accepting his sovereignty and Grace that we can begin to have some understanding. Julie has judged that to be "unfair", and has judged followers of of that Biblical doctrine to be "closed minded" and "confused by Satan" -- possibly even needful of some strong "correction".
The people most likely to enjoy this book are those who have been damaged by Pharisaic "works / decision based" and overly Hell focused church experiences and are desperate for a god of their own desires. Atheists might like it if they are still just "hoping" there is no god, rather than completely convinced of his nonexistence. Although we certainly live in a universe with consequences (ever have a hangover?), projecting a metaphysical afterlife with no consequences might be "comforting" to some (sorta like heroin).
Unless you have firmly made up your mind that Orthodox Christianity is completely wrong, Jesus doesn't matter (nothing to be "saved" from), and "history is bunk", JUST STAY AWAY! RUN! Don't walk!
I've commented extensively -- go there for more detail.
What Keller does, and I have a HARD time doing is to RESPECTFULLY answer common objections to Christianity. Chapter 5 is devoted to answering the objections to Hell. Essentially they all boil down to rejecting the sovereignty of God. Julie is a classic modern "liberal" -- her god is individuality (Julie), so SHE can judge ANYTHING -- including God, historical scholarship. etc.. The book would be better titled "Razing Christianity" ... with the definition of Christianity defined as people who can truthfully say the Creeds ... Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant Christians all confess the creeds of the first thousand+ years of church history. (eg the Apostle’s, Nicene, and Athanasian creeds. Being able to truly confess these creeds is what it means to be Christian, and has been so for over a thousand years.
The the Athanasian creed begins:
"Whosoever will be saved, before all things it is necessary that he hold the catholic (universal) faith. Which faith unless everyone do keep whole and undefiled, without doubt he shall perish everlastingly."
The faith of this book is totally opposed to Christianity. The entry to Christianity is Holy Baptism, the practice is joining in confession of the creeds, Holy Communion and Holy Preaching with fellow Christians. Julie rejects that, so whatever she is, she is not a confessional Christian.
"There came a time when I left the faith. This was not because of what I learned through historical criticisms, but because I could no longer reconcile my faith in God with the state of the world that I saw all around me. There is so much senseless pain and misery in the world that I came to find it impossible to believe there is a good and loving God who is in control, despite my knowing all the standard rejoinders that people give.[21] I believe mainly what Bart is getting at is that, in light of most people “going to hell,” their suffering in this world makes no sense."
When you reject the faith, it indeed makes "no sense" (1 Cor 1:22-24) "
"Jews demand signs and Greeks search for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. "
We are born enemies of God and it is only in accepting his sovereignty and Grace that we can begin to have some understanding. Julie has judged that to be "unfair", and has judged followers of of that Biblical doctrine to be "closed minded" and "confused by Satan" -- possibly even needful of some strong "correction".
The people most likely to enjoy this book are those who have been damaged by Pharisaic "works / decision based" and overly Hell focused church experiences and are desperate for a god of their own desires. Atheists might like it if they are still just "hoping" there is no god, rather than completely convinced of his nonexistence. Although we certainly live in a universe with consequences (ever have a hangover?), projecting a metaphysical afterlife with no consequences might be "comforting" to some (sorta like heroin).
Unless you have firmly made up your mind that Orthodox Christianity is completely wrong, Jesus doesn't matter (nothing to be "saved" from), and "history is bunk", JUST STAY AWAY! RUN! Don't walk!
I've commented extensively -- go there for more detail.
November 12, 2012
Great book. Well researched and written. A must read for all people who think they know everything there is to know about hell.
November 15, 2021
Fun fact - I finished this book a month ago and wrote a review…for the wrong book. This book is RAISING HELL and the book I thought I read was RAZING HELL.
Oh geez.
“I believe Jesus’ true message, as we’ll fully explore, was that He came to save all people with the assistance of a chosen people, in a purposeful plan that extends long past this mortal lifetime. Jesus died for ALL (1 Peter 3:18), and His Father’s unrelenting will that “none should perish” prevails in the end (2 Peter 3:9)” (P. 5)
I’ve read a fair amount of books on heaven and hell in the last few years. This is not the worst one arguing that Jesus will save all, but it is not the best either. I’d say if you’re interested in diving into studying what the Bible actually teaches about hell and the end of all things, this is probably not the book to start with (Brad Jersak’s Her Gates Shall Never Be Shut) but it is a worthwhile book to read at some point.
I appreciated how Ferwerda argued that Jesus will save all with the help of a chosen people, as the above quote states. Calvinist and Augustinian theologies argue that a specific group of people are chosen by God before the beginning of time and everyone else is destined for eternal torment. Some Christians point out, and I found this very helpful in my own theological pilgrimage, that election is scripture is always for a purpose. It is not that some are elect as a special sort of “in-group”. Rather, those elect are given a job.
Ferwerda’s big contribution is tying this election (working for the good of all people, spreading love of Jesus) to universal salvation. Unlike the Calvinist its not just a small group of elect who will respond. But unlike other Christians, its not on us perfecting a technique or manipulating people into flimsy confessions of faith. Rather we go with hope that all will be well.
In other words, we who know Jesus now are called for a purpose - to bring blessing to the nations, knowing eventually every knee will bow.
That said, there is a lot in Baker’s Ferwerda that pushes it to only 3 stars. Primarily, I did not like her use of Wikipedia and Dictionaries. There are better ways to write and get the point across. Also, I found her explanation of evil unsatisfying and even disturbing. She basically argues God uses evil to achieve good ends. This may work for some small things because a bit of suffering can make us better, more mature people. But gratuitous evil? It seems she is making God the author of all evil. I prefer the more classical argument that God always works for good and evil is a mystery but is not created by God.
Overall though, this is a good book.
Oh geez.
“I believe Jesus’ true message, as we’ll fully explore, was that He came to save all people with the assistance of a chosen people, in a purposeful plan that extends long past this mortal lifetime. Jesus died for ALL (1 Peter 3:18), and His Father’s unrelenting will that “none should perish” prevails in the end (2 Peter 3:9)” (P. 5)
I’ve read a fair amount of books on heaven and hell in the last few years. This is not the worst one arguing that Jesus will save all, but it is not the best either. I’d say if you’re interested in diving into studying what the Bible actually teaches about hell and the end of all things, this is probably not the book to start with (Brad Jersak’s Her Gates Shall Never Be Shut) but it is a worthwhile book to read at some point.
I appreciated how Ferwerda argued that Jesus will save all with the help of a chosen people, as the above quote states. Calvinist and Augustinian theologies argue that a specific group of people are chosen by God before the beginning of time and everyone else is destined for eternal torment. Some Christians point out, and I found this very helpful in my own theological pilgrimage, that election is scripture is always for a purpose. It is not that some are elect as a special sort of “in-group”. Rather, those elect are given a job.
Ferwerda’s big contribution is tying this election (working for the good of all people, spreading love of Jesus) to universal salvation. Unlike the Calvinist its not just a small group of elect who will respond. But unlike other Christians, its not on us perfecting a technique or manipulating people into flimsy confessions of faith. Rather we go with hope that all will be well.
In other words, we who know Jesus now are called for a purpose - to bring blessing to the nations, knowing eventually every knee will bow.
That said, there is a lot in Baker’s Ferwerda that pushes it to only 3 stars. Primarily, I did not like her use of Wikipedia and Dictionaries. There are better ways to write and get the point across. Also, I found her explanation of evil unsatisfying and even disturbing. She basically argues God uses evil to achieve good ends. This may work for some small things because a bit of suffering can make us better, more mature people. But gratuitous evil? It seems she is making God the author of all evil. I prefer the more classical argument that God always works for good and evil is a mystery but is not created by God.
Overall though, this is a good book.
December 9, 2020
This was an interesting read. I’m not 100% convinced but I appreciated how much research and work Julie put into this. I like how she backed up what she said with translations, Bible verses, and research. However, I did not agree with everything in this book and she definitely twists her words sometimes. Despite this, she did back up some of her reasonings well and it definitely is food for thought.
My main critique that bothered me was how she repeatedly said that mainstream Christianity believes that people who have never heard of Jesus are damned, while mainstream Christianity actually believes that those who have never heard of Jesus are considered “innocents” and still saved. Not sure why she continuously brought this up when the majority of mainstream Christianity doesn’t even adopt that doctrine. For me personally that showed a bit of ignorance and made me trust her judgement less (because she kept claiming that Christians were saying this when from my understanding, we don’t say that). However, she did back up most of her claims with extensive research and Bible verses which helped with the trustworthy part. This was great food for thought. Am I 100% convinced? No, but she made some great arguments that she backed up well enough that I definitely need to think and pray on this.
Honestly, I am so glad I read this book because this is a topic that weighs heavily on my heart and this book did give me a semblance of peace. I am a very open minded person and I would recommend this to any fellow Christians because even the possibility of Julie’s theory being true brings me so much peace personally. Also, I think it is good to research and read other people’s thoughts and points of view to see where they’re coming from. Hear people out, stay open minded, then ask God for answers. Ultimately I want to seek answers through prayer and this definitely raises some questions for me to ask.
I have not come to a complete conclusion on what I think yet but I am ok with knowing that I don’t have all the answers. All I can do is keep praying, trust God, and ask Him for answers, which I hope will come in time. In the meantime, I am going to try my best to follow what Jesus says are the two greatest commandments: love God with all your heart, all your soul and all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself. Hopefully, everything else will fall into place.
My main critique that bothered me was how she repeatedly said that mainstream Christianity believes that people who have never heard of Jesus are damned, while mainstream Christianity actually believes that those who have never heard of Jesus are considered “innocents” and still saved. Not sure why she continuously brought this up when the majority of mainstream Christianity doesn’t even adopt that doctrine. For me personally that showed a bit of ignorance and made me trust her judgement less (because she kept claiming that Christians were saying this when from my understanding, we don’t say that). However, she did back up most of her claims with extensive research and Bible verses which helped with the trustworthy part. This was great food for thought. Am I 100% convinced? No, but she made some great arguments that she backed up well enough that I definitely need to think and pray on this.
Honestly, I am so glad I read this book because this is a topic that weighs heavily on my heart and this book did give me a semblance of peace. I am a very open minded person and I would recommend this to any fellow Christians because even the possibility of Julie’s theory being true brings me so much peace personally. Also, I think it is good to research and read other people’s thoughts and points of view to see where they’re coming from. Hear people out, stay open minded, then ask God for answers. Ultimately I want to seek answers through prayer and this definitely raises some questions for me to ask.
I have not come to a complete conclusion on what I think yet but I am ok with knowing that I don’t have all the answers. All I can do is keep praying, trust God, and ask Him for answers, which I hope will come in time. In the meantime, I am going to try my best to follow what Jesus says are the two greatest commandments: love God with all your heart, all your soul and all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself. Hopefully, everything else will fall into place.
June 2, 2013
This book is researched and uses theological language and concepts, yet is easy to read. It deals with most of the major hurdles regarding Western Christianity's traditional doctrine/s of hell, especially the Greek word "eonian" which has been mistranslated "eternal" and words such as "hades" "sheol" and "gehenna" that have been mistranslated hell. Western Christianity need to become aware of these things ... and they will, with time.
Some of the ideas about "Harvest" were very new to me and I do not know what I believe about those things. I also struggled with chapter 18 and disagree that God "created" evil. I believe that God allowed it, but it did not originate with him. I do, however, agree that God uses evil, redeems evil, can be in the very presence of evil and permits evil.
I am going to recommend this book to many of my friends because I love the overall message that hellfire is not the last word of God for anyone. He has saved, is saving and will save ALL. Praise Jesus!
Some of the ideas about "Harvest" were very new to me and I do not know what I believe about those things. I also struggled with chapter 18 and disagree that God "created" evil. I believe that God allowed it, but it did not originate with him. I do, however, agree that God uses evil, redeems evil, can be in the very presence of evil and permits evil.
I am going to recommend this book to many of my friends because I love the overall message that hellfire is not the last word of God for anyone. He has saved, is saving and will save ALL. Praise Jesus!
September 15, 2012
An interesting, evangelical, still biblically-focused approach to the belief that hell doesn't exist. Sometimes I hung in there with her, but her larger-picture theory/interpretation of the big "plan" doesn't work for me--it struck me as a very complicated way of reading the Bible as if it's a great big code book. At least in her version of things, the code reveals that God doesn't damn anyone...but it's just too far-out for me to join the club. Also, frequent errors, such as its/it's mix-ups, are distracting to OCD compulsive proofreaders.
March 3, 2020
Spoiler warning: Hell is not what you think
I love how Julie wrote in this book. It’s mostly just her own journey and how she came to understand the Bible and where the doctrine of hell actually came from. But she shows you she came to certain conclusions, comparing different bible translations to the original Greek and Hebrew and giving you the resources so that you can study for yourself.
It’s easy to follow along and you don’t have to be a theologian to understand what’s being said.
I love how Julie wrote in this book. It’s mostly just her own journey and how she came to understand the Bible and where the doctrine of hell actually came from. But she shows you she came to certain conclusions, comparing different bible translations to the original Greek and Hebrew and giving you the resources so that you can study for yourself.
It’s easy to follow along and you don’t have to be a theologian to understand what’s being said.
May 10, 2013
The book is okay...
I feel Ferwerda spends too much time talking about her eschatological views. Where she shines is just sticking to the text and the relevant words.
I feel Ferwerda spends too much time talking about her eschatological views. Where she shines is just sticking to the text and the relevant words.
September 21, 2018
It (whatever IT never was) is nearing its end when you start recognising (from day to day) how you are not taking words, gibes, and other’s opinions of you or your opinions of you nearly as personally. Anytime we are offended, it is always the egoistic false self that has taken umbrage. It would rather be angry and guilty than be transformed. The identity crisis (more accurate than a midlife age-based meltdown) collapses in an almost direct relationship to the egoistic phoney self’s previously external validations as still born by titles, interest inventories, positions, status trinkets, “what was” and “what should have been” deadwood storylines, places, people’s opinions of the mentally contrived nonexistent self-image and woefully undulating mental ideas you (and it’s kind of embarrassing) used to take seriously. The education, trivia that is increasingly becoming laughable and the whole mental illusionary mime that served its fictionally absurd and ludicrous pseudo-personal aberration until this hoodwinked and hilarious caricature you witlessly imagined as “the little me” was merely a walking and talking mannequin caught up in this makeshift land of Oz. It’s embarrassing as it is humiliating to the egoistic charade and self-illusion of a nonexistent idea you witlessly and tightly wound into a loose cannon creation concocted from the chaos of being a kid, a temperamental teen, a court jester adult. It’s like saying: “Son of a bitch! This pensively unrelenting horror story I’ve both liked but more so loathed is a freaking joke! Hell! Whoever I thought I was isn’t and I was hoodwinked and I’m waking up!” A paradox. Because the mind is so afraid of seeing there is nothing wrong, it will think: “Oh God! If there’s nothing wrong then there’s no hope! Because if there’s nothing wrong than there’s no hope for little me to make it right.” It is humiliatingly hurtful and it hurts like the hell it always was but LET it. There’s no going back and the good news is you’ll soon SEE that you don’t want to tread decades of water anymore. The jig is up, there’s no crisis whatsoever because there’s no parroting puppet able to pretend it’s any longer an identity. That sucker is gone. That sucker never was. “BE WHO YOU IS CAUSE IF YOU AIN’T WHO YOU IS, YOU IS WHO YOU AIN’T.” It’s easier to fool someone than convince someone they’ve been fooled. Oh my! Defending fear is a sure sign too much salt has begun melting the slug. And while this awakening (per thousands of others and my continual experience is episodically painful, the sharp edges ebb and flow. Do not be impatient and learn, via trial and error, not to become desperate when the angst and maybe ever a few dark nights of the soul visit. That’s all they’ll do is visit. Fear will NOT kill anyone. It’s a phantom but seems very real when you’re going ‘through’ it. Get that? Through it? it isn’t a matter of the Lovingly Merciful true God (that most of us in the West weren’t given in the West) of tormenting us. Quite the contrary. Someone reading this knows what I’m saying inasmuch as you know you must eventually say: “Let’s do it,” and jump in the deep end. You will not drown but learn the Third Eye creativity of the Cosmic Triune Christ. Never all OR nothing like Sink OR Swim. No. The Spirit, Buddha self, Comforter, Perfect Lover, Source — will reveal the simplest realisation when you cease fighting. For example, float on your back. Get out of the water. Drain the pool. And eventually, dive to the bottom because the way down is up and the way up is down. When our God experience is all about ascending up the ladder of success and using God as a problem solver and sort of Santa Claus, that’s an experience we find was a delusion. No more missing the point. You’re not running out of time but into timelessness. Ain’t that a trip? Until then, enjoy here and Now. “Born again.” There’s nothing overly spiritual about those two words. It simply means start back at one by unlearning dogmas and divisional words and worthless differences that make no one more or less worthy merely because we hatefully and fearfully have learned to mouth them. The eyes of a child. They don’t judge, compare, or compete. Let your hatred and dualistic mentality go.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
November 6, 2022The target audience for this book is evangelicals, and if you’re not part of that group it comes across as strange and muddled. Some of it is interesting, some is tedious, but mostly it’s just… kind of a pointless book. I don’t even think I can come up with a star rating because this book is so confused about its own point.
Ferwerda is trying to use historical research methods to answer a theological question, and she constantly seems confused about the differences between religious belief and historical fact. For example, she discusses some interesting historical and linguistic information, but then she says that she thinks God literally “chose” Greek for the New Testament. She comes out of nowhere with that sentence revealing no sense of how geography, languages, and accidents of history work… in the middle of an otherwise scholarly comparison of translations for various words and concepts.
This book will give you some background on the origin of “hellfire and brimstone preachers”, but you shouldn’t try to use historical methodology like this to answer a question about religion/theology. For those kind of questions you should be using your own god-given intuition above anything else. A small child could tell you the answer to the theological questions in this book— and in fact Ferwerda’s kid did tell her the answer as a young child, as she says early on in the book. The book itself is fundamentally pointless. You don’t need to “prove” that God is not evil. If your religious beliefs begin with “God is good”, then you can automatically follow with “God isn’t evil” (and any kind of preacher who tries to say or imply that God is evil is lying because they want your money). That’s just basic intuition and kindergarten level logic, you don’t need to analyze ancient texts to figure that out.
You can analyze texts to explain where this hell idea came from, who promoted it and why, what has been said about it in different times and places and cultures, etc. — and that’s something this book does do well. The historical analysis is fine for answering historical questions. But Ferwerda is clearly under the impression that she can use this kind of analysis to get at theological truths. If you believe in God but you won’t believe the claim “God is not evil” without ‘proof’ that some dead humans said the same thing once upon a time, then what are you even worshipping and why? The people in this book’s target audience don’t need a book like this before they’ve learned to trust themselves. They need to be weaned off of biblical inerrancy first, learn the difference between religious intuition and historical fact, and THEN they can dive into these texts and translations and learn about the history of certain ideas in different cultures. But right now they are too confused to even know which kind of question they’re asking and how to look for an answer.
This is one of two Christian nonfiction books I’ve read this year and so far both of them just had to include a bit that was awkwardly antisemitic (in this case saying that the Jewish brain was too literal which… what???). It’s like Christian authors can’t help but talk as if Judaism is outdated and not a living religion.
Ferwerda is trying to use historical research methods to answer a theological question, and she constantly seems confused about the differences between religious belief and historical fact. For example, she discusses some interesting historical and linguistic information, but then she says that she thinks God literally “chose” Greek for the New Testament. She comes out of nowhere with that sentence revealing no sense of how geography, languages, and accidents of history work… in the middle of an otherwise scholarly comparison of translations for various words and concepts.
This book will give you some background on the origin of “hellfire and brimstone preachers”, but you shouldn’t try to use historical methodology like this to answer a question about religion/theology. For those kind of questions you should be using your own god-given intuition above anything else. A small child could tell you the answer to the theological questions in this book— and in fact Ferwerda’s kid did tell her the answer as a young child, as she says early on in the book. The book itself is fundamentally pointless. You don’t need to “prove” that God is not evil. If your religious beliefs begin with “God is good”, then you can automatically follow with “God isn’t evil” (and any kind of preacher who tries to say or imply that God is evil is lying because they want your money). That’s just basic intuition and kindergarten level logic, you don’t need to analyze ancient texts to figure that out.
You can analyze texts to explain where this hell idea came from, who promoted it and why, what has been said about it in different times and places and cultures, etc. — and that’s something this book does do well. The historical analysis is fine for answering historical questions. But Ferwerda is clearly under the impression that she can use this kind of analysis to get at theological truths. If you believe in God but you won’t believe the claim “God is not evil” without ‘proof’ that some dead humans said the same thing once upon a time, then what are you even worshipping and why? The people in this book’s target audience don’t need a book like this before they’ve learned to trust themselves. They need to be weaned off of biblical inerrancy first, learn the difference between religious intuition and historical fact, and THEN they can dive into these texts and translations and learn about the history of certain ideas in different cultures. But right now they are too confused to even know which kind of question they’re asking and how to look for an answer.
This is one of two Christian nonfiction books I’ve read this year and so far both of them just had to include a bit that was awkwardly antisemitic (in this case saying that the Jewish brain was too literal which… what???). It’s like Christian authors can’t help but talk as if Judaism is outdated and not a living religion.
September 21, 2020
I discovered Julie Ferwerda, her writings, and her theology on a podcast interview. Five stars for her extensive research (and taking on biblical scholars, theologians, and pastors throughout 1,500 years); three stars for content, much of which I agreed with although perhaps for different reasons.
What I liked: the overall premise of the book, that hell is not taught in Scripture. When, why, and how did we ever make Christianity a "destination religion" as opposed to living faithfully and well, bringing God's kingdom to come on earth here and now? And as for the premise of those thinking we "need" hell for evangelism, for every person who may think they have license to live any way they want, there must be 10 others who have been turned off by a wrathful, punishing God. If hell is a "hot topic" (pun intended), penal substitution atonement theory also needs to be talked about. In any event, I would rather "save" people from hell on earth than focus on a possible afterlife. And I would rather share GOOD news than bad.
What was less compelling: I found Ferwerda proof texting even as she criticized the practice. I have found that once one lets go of the Bible being inerrant and infallible (now there's a sequel waiting to be written!), a lot of the problems go away. The Bible includes the perspectives and understandings of those involved in its writing and editing, and sometimes they were mistaken.
While Ferwerda criticized Calvinism, she seems to adopt her own version of it: that some people are predestined to be part of the first resurrection, or "first fruits," chosen to work with God for the salvation of all. I do not support a theology of people chosen for destruction (even if they are ultimately saved). Ferwerda denies free will, other than within a very small boundary around us.
I also reject Ferwerda's theology of God creating evil, and have come to appreciate perspectives like Thomas Jay Oord in his provocatively entitled, "God Can't" on the uncontrolling love of God.
A personal beef: I found myself reacting negatively to Ferwerda's frequent use of words like mankind, men, and man. I can get over using those pronouns for God and the fact that some Bible translations also use them for people, but I would have preferred humankind, humans, etc.
Like some of the other reviewers, I wished Ferwerda had stuck to the doctrine of hell, and not introduced the further concepts of harvests, ages, etc. I appreciate Jewish perspectives on Scripture (after all, they are the authors of most of it), but these concepts did not add value for me.
Overall, despite the criticisms which reflect my own viewpoints and may be wrong, I commend Julie Ferwerda on writing an important book, and making it free to ALL.
What I liked: the overall premise of the book, that hell is not taught in Scripture. When, why, and how did we ever make Christianity a "destination religion" as opposed to living faithfully and well, bringing God's kingdom to come on earth here and now? And as for the premise of those thinking we "need" hell for evangelism, for every person who may think they have license to live any way they want, there must be 10 others who have been turned off by a wrathful, punishing God. If hell is a "hot topic" (pun intended), penal substitution atonement theory also needs to be talked about. In any event, I would rather "save" people from hell on earth than focus on a possible afterlife. And I would rather share GOOD news than bad.
What was less compelling: I found Ferwerda proof texting even as she criticized the practice. I have found that once one lets go of the Bible being inerrant and infallible (now there's a sequel waiting to be written!), a lot of the problems go away. The Bible includes the perspectives and understandings of those involved in its writing and editing, and sometimes they were mistaken.
While Ferwerda criticized Calvinism, she seems to adopt her own version of it: that some people are predestined to be part of the first resurrection, or "first fruits," chosen to work with God for the salvation of all. I do not support a theology of people chosen for destruction (even if they are ultimately saved). Ferwerda denies free will, other than within a very small boundary around us.
I also reject Ferwerda's theology of God creating evil, and have come to appreciate perspectives like Thomas Jay Oord in his provocatively entitled, "God Can't" on the uncontrolling love of God.
A personal beef: I found myself reacting negatively to Ferwerda's frequent use of words like mankind, men, and man. I can get over using those pronouns for God and the fact that some Bible translations also use them for people, but I would have preferred humankind, humans, etc.
Like some of the other reviewers, I wished Ferwerda had stuck to the doctrine of hell, and not introduced the further concepts of harvests, ages, etc. I appreciate Jewish perspectives on Scripture (after all, they are the authors of most of it), but these concepts did not add value for me.
Overall, despite the criticisms which reflect my own viewpoints and may be wrong, I commend Julie Ferwerda on writing an important book, and making it free to ALL.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 11, 2019
For a couple of years now I have been intensively studying universal reconciliation as found in the Bible. Julie Ferwerda's book closely teaches what I am now beginning to believe the scriptures state: that the "all in Paul" is just what it claims to be, i.e. the eventual reconciliation of all people through Jesus Christ and His death on the cross. And that the Greek words, (aion and aionios) translated as "eternity" or "eternal" mean no such thing.
Unlike some other books I have read on the topic (including one I am reading now on the Eternal Hell side of the issue), this book is FILLED with many scriptures. Scriptures that cannot simply be ignored nor explained away - such as 1 Timothy 2:3-4, "This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth," and 1 John 2:2, "He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole cosmos."
After being told all of my life that God either CANNOT or WILL NOT save all people, I am at the point where the many words in the Bible stating otherwise have gotten a hold on my mind and my heart; as has the living Word, the One who said, "If I be lifted up, I will draw ALL men unto me."
While I don't completely agree with all that is said here, I believe it to be a wonderful attempt at proclaiming the restorative love of God.
Thank you, Julie Ferwerda.
Unlike some other books I have read on the topic (including one I am reading now on the Eternal Hell side of the issue), this book is FILLED with many scriptures. Scriptures that cannot simply be ignored nor explained away - such as 1 Timothy 2:3-4, "This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth," and 1 John 2:2, "He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole cosmos."
After being told all of my life that God either CANNOT or WILL NOT save all people, I am at the point where the many words in the Bible stating otherwise have gotten a hold on my mind and my heart; as has the living Word, the One who said, "If I be lifted up, I will draw ALL men unto me."
While I don't completely agree with all that is said here, I believe it to be a wonderful attempt at proclaiming the restorative love of God.
Thank you, Julie Ferwerda.
January 12, 2023
Full disclosure: I was already 90% assured of universalism as a doctrine before getting this book. I picked up "Raising Hell" as part of the more than two years of research I've put into the subject, which actually began as an effort to disprove the theory. I was hoping that Julie had some evidence or some arguments that I hadn't heard yet.
I was pleasantly surprised to find that she has done a great deal of research and collected solid evidence including, but not limited to, the words of the apostolic fathers of the early church, research into the history of words like "Gehenna" and "olam," and of course the biggest issue, "aionios."
I found many of her theological arguments to be quite good as well, though a few could be easily refuted by a more holistic interpretation of Scripture. However, when she is conjecturing, she is very clear that is what she is doing and I see nothing wrong with that. Theologians have been doing that for thousands of years and it's helped us to better grow as disciples and better understand the Word of God.
Overall, I found this work to be immensely helpful (as is evident by the host of notes that I've taken from it). While I don't agree with her every argument, she has a great deal to offer in this work and it's presented in a concise format, but with an extensive overall scope. She doesn't quite hit everything in the debate between eternal punishment and universal salvation, but it's a great starting point for sure.
I was pleasantly surprised to find that she has done a great deal of research and collected solid evidence including, but not limited to, the words of the apostolic fathers of the early church, research into the history of words like "Gehenna" and "olam," and of course the biggest issue, "aionios."
I found many of her theological arguments to be quite good as well, though a few could be easily refuted by a more holistic interpretation of Scripture. However, when she is conjecturing, she is very clear that is what she is doing and I see nothing wrong with that. Theologians have been doing that for thousands of years and it's helped us to better grow as disciples and better understand the Word of God.
Overall, I found this work to be immensely helpful (as is evident by the host of notes that I've taken from it). While I don't agree with her every argument, she has a great deal to offer in this work and it's presented in a concise format, but with an extensive overall scope. She doesn't quite hit everything in the debate between eternal punishment and universal salvation, but it's a great starting point for sure.
July 27, 2021
I loved this book so much, and I found the author's methods and conclusions to be extremely satisfying! If you want to understand the history and true Biblical theology of the Christian docterine of Hell, look no further than this book! I've read a few other books that question or breakdown Hell, but Julie's book utterly destroys Hell to the point where you find a newfound freedom in the true love of the God found in the Bible.
Julie uses a variety of methods to lead the reader through the deconstruction of the Christian docterine of Hell. She hands us straight-forward logic, she dives into the ancient Hebrew and Greek, she gives us much needed historical context for what Jews thought about the afterlife at that point in history, and she walks us through the history of the post-Christ creation of Hell (that's right, Hell was not a a docterine of the Christian church for 500 years!). The beautiful blend of personal experience, honoring long-held Christian tradition, and looking to Jewish teachers was compelling and satisfying as Julie leads the reader towards the utter dismantling of Hell.
What about people like Hitler?
What about when Jesus uses the word "Hell" in the Gospels?
What did Jesus even accomplish on the cross then?
These questions and more are addressed head-on. If you've been struggling with believing that a loving God can send people to Hell and still be loving, this is the book for you! If you don't think Hell makes sense, this is the book for you! If you have a multitude of questions about the afterlife, this is the book for you! If you want to say, "Hell no!" to the docterine and theology of Hell, this book is for you!
I cannot recommend this book enough!
Julie uses a variety of methods to lead the reader through the deconstruction of the Christian docterine of Hell. She hands us straight-forward logic, she dives into the ancient Hebrew and Greek, she gives us much needed historical context for what Jews thought about the afterlife at that point in history, and she walks us through the history of the post-Christ creation of Hell (that's right, Hell was not a a docterine of the Christian church for 500 years!). The beautiful blend of personal experience, honoring long-held Christian tradition, and looking to Jewish teachers was compelling and satisfying as Julie leads the reader towards the utter dismantling of Hell.
What about people like Hitler?
What about when Jesus uses the word "Hell" in the Gospels?
What did Jesus even accomplish on the cross then?
These questions and more are addressed head-on. If you've been struggling with believing that a loving God can send people to Hell and still be loving, this is the book for you! If you don't think Hell makes sense, this is the book for you! If you have a multitude of questions about the afterlife, this is the book for you! If you want to say, "Hell no!" to the docterine and theology of Hell, this book is for you!
I cannot recommend this book enough!
September 8, 2020
I appreciate the premise… the “hell” of the New Testament is probably not the “hell” of the modern church. Ferwerda dismantles the “Eternal Burning” idea that many modern Christians view as a pillar of their faith. The author examines language, compares translations, etc. and makes some good observations... “if you have to use the fear of hell to get people into the Kingdom, then what does that say about your gospel? What does it say about your God? If hell is the most powerful motivating factor for getting people saved, then they are only being manipulated into something out of fear and coercion, not out of love and desire.” “If God is love, and if there is no fear in love, how has the primary doctrine of the most widespread religion on our planet become all about fear? How could such a fearful place as hell truly exist?” Her starting point is not my starting point nor does she share my method of reasoning this topic, and she got sort of meandering at the end, but Ferwerda gets to the heart of the issue and makes good points.
April 25, 2023
3.5 stars.
I rated this book 3.5 primarily because I didn’t like the voice that it was written in. I found it to be to informal for such a heavy topic. I also didn’t like how wordy it was, I feel like it could have been shorter- but I’m not one for personal anecdotes and fluff in books like this.
*HOWEVER* it was very well researched and contained tons of sources that I was able to go back and read. I did find it compelling, and it did change my mind about Hell.
I do recommend this book, especially to start out learning about Christian Universalism. It’s very approachable, and gives a good overview.
I rated this book 3.5 primarily because I didn’t like the voice that it was written in. I found it to be to informal for such a heavy topic. I also didn’t like how wordy it was, I feel like it could have been shorter- but I’m not one for personal anecdotes and fluff in books like this.
*HOWEVER* it was very well researched and contained tons of sources that I was able to go back and read. I did find it compelling, and it did change my mind about Hell.
I do recommend this book, especially to start out learning about Christian Universalism. It’s very approachable, and gives a good overview.
November 8, 2020
A Great Place to Start this Journey
I appreciated Julie’s straightforward language. Reading her book felt like talking over a cup of coffee. I have been circling this topic for several years now without diving in. A couple of back-to act interviews with Julie on the What If Project and the Messy Spirituality Podcast led me to her book. I think it was a great place to start this journey because she gives a well-developed, insightful explanation of her own journey and equips the reader with numerous resources to continue on their own.
I appreciated Julie’s straightforward language. Reading her book felt like talking over a cup of coffee. I have been circling this topic for several years now without diving in. A couple of back-to act interviews with Julie on the What If Project and the Messy Spirituality Podcast led me to her book. I think it was a great place to start this journey because she gives a well-developed, insightful explanation of her own journey and equips the reader with numerous resources to continue on their own.
May 22, 2019
Interesting book
So I've always been interested in theology and have especially been interested in the different theories about the afterlife. I have read many different books on universalist arguments and theology, and in some ways this book doesn't really cover any new ground that hasn't been explored before, however the author did a great job of summarizing and organizing resources for future reading, and how to go deeper in our study of what the bible says.
So I've always been interested in theology and have especially been interested in the different theories about the afterlife. I have read many different books on universalist arguments and theology, and in some ways this book doesn't really cover any new ground that hasn't been explored before, however the author did a great job of summarizing and organizing resources for future reading, and how to go deeper in our study of what the bible says.
Read
December 20, 2020An evangelical whose researches into Biblical scholarship have convinced her that the doctrine of eternal hell is not part of the Bible or early Christianity. She emphasizes the importance of translation and understanding the meaning of the original words, and gives online tools for people to do their own research, check translations and come to their own conclusions.
April 18, 2021
This is a passionate argument for the all-embracing love of God and against the traditional view of hell. How much of our view of hell is encrusted by medieval barnacles? Good food for thought and reflection, especially as it relates to the biblical passages that speak of the restoration of *all* creation to God through Christ.
January 21, 2021
Intriguing
So hell is not real? I am not sure what to think about that. On one hand i am supremely relieved if this is true but on the other hand angry at time wasted on fear of hell all these years.
So hell is not real? I am not sure what to think about that. On one hand i am supremely relieved if this is true but on the other hand angry at time wasted on fear of hell all these years.
February 25, 2022
Good but why, when you've so extensively established hell as Aquinas' fanfic, only have a passing exploration of how Satan has been transformed from an adversary to the Prince of Darkness?
December 7, 2022
This book offers a very different view from the common doctrine of hell. But it maintains great respect for scripture and is worth the time to read….the short version! Enjoy!
June 6, 2023
Some good concepts in this book, but the writing, tone, and argumentation were not for me.
July 15, 2023
This book describes the Universalist approach to salvation. If you already know about the subject you won’t really find anything new here. Too much ranting.
February 20, 2020
Great conversational yet quite substantial book on Christocentric Universalism. I love how Julie is able to make you think and consider Scripture afresh without descending into overly academic language. I think Raising Hell is a worthy addition to the growing library of a more recent attempt at re-legitimizing Christian Universalism (see The Inescapable Love of God by Talbott, The Evangelical Universalist by MacDonald/Parry, and Patristic Universalism by Burnfield).
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews