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Hell Is Real [But I Hate to Admit It]
Does hell matter? Pastor Brian Jones wants readers to know the truth. Jones believes that the reason most Christians don't tell their friends about Jesus has nothing to do with not knowing how--it's because they don't think they need to. As Jones writes, the first four years he was a pastor, he didn't believe in hell himself. Today, he shares his story of discovering the truth that hell exists--and why many Christians are afraid to believe in it. "Hell Is Real "motivates Christians who have grown complacent in their view of hell. Drawing on the teachings of Jesus, Jones leads readers into a head-on collision with apocalyptic urgency--the all-consuming, inspiring conviction that will overcome readers when they realize that hell is real and they can help save people from going there.
272 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2006
44 people are currently reading
416 people want to read
About the author
Brian C. Jones
6 books49 followersHi, I’m Brian.
If you’re like most people I talk to, your mind feels crowded. You’re tired, overextended, and longing for peace — not as a theory, but as a way of life.
I know that ache. For years I lived as an ambitious pastor, pushing too hard until anxiety, exhaustion, and depression caught up with me. But everything changed when my wife and I moved to the edge of a forest — a slower, quieter pace of life where I began to hear God again.
Now I write to help people trade inner chaos for lasting peace — by learning to think and live in the way of Jesus.
Each week, I’ll send reflections from the forest’s edge — stories, insights, and practices to help you slow down, pay attention, and rediscover peace in your mind, body, and spirit. To receive those please go to www.brianjonesletters.substack.com
Take a deep breath. You’re among friends.
— Brian
If you’re like most people I talk to, your mind feels crowded. You’re tired, overextended, and longing for peace — not as a theory, but as a way of life.
I know that ache. For years I lived as an ambitious pastor, pushing too hard until anxiety, exhaustion, and depression caught up with me. But everything changed when my wife and I moved to the edge of a forest — a slower, quieter pace of life where I began to hear God again.
Now I write to help people trade inner chaos for lasting peace — by learning to think and live in the way of Jesus.
Each week, I’ll send reflections from the forest’s edge — stories, insights, and practices to help you slow down, pay attention, and rediscover peace in your mind, body, and spirit. To receive those please go to www.brianjonesletters.substack.com
Take a deep breath. You’re among friends.
— Brian
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
April 9, 2019
This book approaches Christian evangelism strictly from one angle: the awfulness of God's wrath and unbelievers' need to avoid it (by repenting of their sins and making Jesus Christ their savior and Lord of their lives) and thus avoid hell. It teaches that God's wrath is righteous but also brutal in effect. Although the book affirms it, you can't easily learn much about God's love for you from this book.
This author, Brian Jones, went to Princeton Theological Seminary. He apparently didn't know beforehand that it was a theologically liberal school (I don't know, perhaps it wasn't common knowledge when he enrolled there), and he encountered (1)theologically liberal professors; (2)profs who, based on their personal behavior, obviously had no business teaching in a seminary. Jones describes one prof who came to class tipsy and swore at random students, and another prof who would come in on Monday and asked the students if they "had screwed anyone" over the weekend. In his job at the campus bookstore, Jones met students who didn't live a Christian lifestyle and/or didn't claim to be Christian. None of these people--the faculty or Jones' student coworkers--wanted to hear Jones's attempts to share the gospel with them, and the resulting conflicts with coworkers got him fired.
Worse, over time, one of Jones's liberal profs not only convinced Jones not to believe in hell but over time destroyed his faith in Jesus Christ. Fortunately, Jones eventually regained his faith and later started a Bible-teaching church in Philadelphia which, he says, is 'focused like a laser' on evangelizing non-Christians rather than preaching to those who have already accepted Christ. In fact, Jones asks Christians who have come to his church from other churches to return to their previous churches to evangelize non-Christians who visit.
He shares other incidents that illustrate his extreme fervor in saving people from God's wrath but also shares his mistakes. He tells how he visited the dying father of one of his parishioners, an unbeliever who had for years rejected and mocked Jones for sharing the gospel. When all his attempts to persuade the dying man failed, Jones literally begged him to accept Christ, and by God's grace, that worked. During one service at his church, Jones suddenly climbed into the baptistry without having told his staff beforehand, and assertively invited anyone who hadn't received Christ to come up there and receive Him and be baptized. After a few minutes of awkward silence, someone came up and received Christ, then a few more and a few more, until a large line of people waiting for baptism snaked around the halls of the church.
Some quotations:
This book was valuable enough that I want to own a copy. At the end, Mr. Jones gives his e-mail address and invites the reader to contact him with any comments about Hell Is Real; I just did that, to tell him how much I liked it.
_________________________________________________________
Second Review: April 9, 2019
Hell Is Real always manages to stay on my bookshelves, surviving my every bout of questioning whether I should discard it (and whether I should have bought my own copy); but after years of periodic consideration, I no longer hold my initially high esteem of it.
The author, Brian Jones: he is clearly a brother in Christ, but some aspects of his theology are so odd that he either (a)has read many theological sources I haven't, or (b)hasn't read that much theology. I'm not sure which. Looking through the book again after a recent rearrangement of my shelves, there was something in the book that I remember feeling exasperated with--I think I called it "just plain stupid." It might very well have been just the rhetoric--in trying to emphasize the awfulness of God's wrath, Jones describes God as "violent."
My reaction is probably due to the position from which I approached Christianity, and the limitations that puts on my perspective. I didn't stay very far from God before receiving Jesus Christ; that is, I did not live a very sinful and rebellious lifestyle, which might have provoked God to make me think more about His wrath. My influences were Christians who have much more to say about God's love for us, so long before becoming born again, I was already perfectly aware God loves me. I had no experience with the sort who warn me I'm going to hell. And now that I am born again and therefore not under God's wrath, His wrath is even further from the forefront of my thoughts about Him. The point is that I'm so keenly aware of God's love and God's holiness, but so much less keenly aware of His wrath, that the idea of using the (true) horror of hell as a primary method of evangelizing is alien to me.
This author, Brian Jones, went to Princeton Theological Seminary. He apparently didn't know beforehand that it was a theologically liberal school (I don't know, perhaps it wasn't common knowledge when he enrolled there), and he encountered (1)theologically liberal professors; (2)profs who, based on their personal behavior, obviously had no business teaching in a seminary. Jones describes one prof who came to class tipsy and swore at random students, and another prof who would come in on Monday and asked the students if they "had screwed anyone" over the weekend. In his job at the campus bookstore, Jones met students who didn't live a Christian lifestyle and/or didn't claim to be Christian. None of these people--the faculty or Jones' student coworkers--wanted to hear Jones's attempts to share the gospel with them, and the resulting conflicts with coworkers got him fired.
Worse, over time, one of Jones's liberal profs not only convinced Jones not to believe in hell but over time destroyed his faith in Jesus Christ. Fortunately, Jones eventually regained his faith and later started a Bible-teaching church in Philadelphia which, he says, is 'focused like a laser' on evangelizing non-Christians rather than preaching to those who have already accepted Christ. In fact, Jones asks Christians who have come to his church from other churches to return to their previous churches to evangelize non-Christians who visit.
He shares other incidents that illustrate his extreme fervor in saving people from God's wrath but also shares his mistakes. He tells how he visited the dying father of one of his parishioners, an unbeliever who had for years rejected and mocked Jones for sharing the gospel. When all his attempts to persuade the dying man failed, Jones literally begged him to accept Christ, and by God's grace, that worked. During one service at his church, Jones suddenly climbed into the baptistry without having told his staff beforehand, and assertively invited anyone who hadn't received Christ to come up there and receive Him and be baptized. After a few minutes of awkward silence, someone came up and received Christ, then a few more and a few more, until a large line of people waiting for baptism snaked around the halls of the church.
Some quotations:
"The most ridiculous phase I went through in 1986 wasn't the 'I want to look like Bono' mullet I sported or my tour of duty as a caster-outer of demons, but the time I spent trying to lead people to Christ without first building an authentic relationship with them. ...I learned the third step to...effectively sharing your faith: To have any measure of success, you've got to build relationships first."
"You can't think your way out of a faith crisis; you have to repent your way out of a faith crisis."
This book was valuable enough that I want to own a copy. At the end, Mr. Jones gives his e-mail address and invites the reader to contact him with any comments about Hell Is Real; I just did that, to tell him how much I liked it.
_________________________________________________________
Second Review: April 9, 2019
Hell Is Real always manages to stay on my bookshelves, surviving my every bout of questioning whether I should discard it (and whether I should have bought my own copy); but after years of periodic consideration, I no longer hold my initially high esteem of it.
The author, Brian Jones: he is clearly a brother in Christ, but some aspects of his theology are so odd that he either (a)has read many theological sources I haven't, or (b)hasn't read that much theology. I'm not sure which. Looking through the book again after a recent rearrangement of my shelves, there was something in the book that I remember feeling exasperated with--I think I called it "just plain stupid." It might very well have been just the rhetoric--in trying to emphasize the awfulness of God's wrath, Jones describes God as "violent."
My reaction is probably due to the position from which I approached Christianity, and the limitations that puts on my perspective. I didn't stay very far from God before receiving Jesus Christ; that is, I did not live a very sinful and rebellious lifestyle, which might have provoked God to make me think more about His wrath. My influences were Christians who have much more to say about God's love for us, so long before becoming born again, I was already perfectly aware God loves me. I had no experience with the sort who warn me I'm going to hell. And now that I am born again and therefore not under God's wrath, His wrath is even further from the forefront of my thoughts about Him. The point is that I'm so keenly aware of God's love and God's holiness, but so much less keenly aware of His wrath, that the idea of using the (true) horror of hell as a primary method of evangelizing is alien to me.
February 16, 2015
I really enjoy books on the issue of Hell, mostly because Hell is a complete topic. By that I mean we have a limited amount of verses about Hell, you can actually read everything the Bible has to say about Hell in one day. (and that I enjoy!)
I wanted to give this book 4 stars (for passion and comedy)and 1 star (for seriously lacking theology). But I settled at two. I definitely recommend this book though, but it has some John Wesley flaws it seems:
Brian has had problems assuming salvation is in OUR hands, that God is begging us to save a hellbound citizen or 2. There is no mention in the Bible of people in Hell wishing a Christian would have told them about Jesus. Our churches are filled with non-christians for just this reason. We rationalize that God is NOT in charge - WE can save people. But the Bible is filled with God showing how he works with HIS elect. God is choosing Jesus' bride. God will not fail - but we are blessed enough to be permitted to assist God in sharing the Gospel. Hell will not be empty if we succeed, and Heaven will not be empty if we fail. That type of thinking would defeat God's reason for this whole project in the first place. (Yes, he could have just made us saved and in heaven already.) Read the Bible carefully Brian - and listen to John MacArthur, God is sovereign on every page of scripture.
But it seems Brian Jones is starting to figure this stuff out. And he's been a Pastor how many years? But i'm no better - i've been a Christian over 30 years.
This was a fun read.
Best story I heard in years was Brian telling about how he got fired for evangelizing at the Princeton Theological Seminary bookstore.
Brian quote: "You mean we can have a heated 3 hour discussion about the spirituality of Che Guevara (Marxist revolution), but if I mention Jesus, and what He's doing in my life, that's out of line?"
Store Manager: "YES."
It appears this is just about the worst place to discuss Jesus in America. I guess Brian didn't do his research before he went there. (Before attending any supposed Christian seminary READ: The Battle for the Bible by Harold Lindsell)
I learned something NEW about Gandhi (and freakin' nasty!) Page 216
Elizabeth Abbot, former dean of women at Trinity College in Toronto...points out that Gandhi "requested that various young women,teen-aged virgins or newlyweds, sleep next to him to warm him."
...Gandhi's great nephew's 16 year old wife, had to remove her clothes so that Gandhi could judge whether he, like Ramananda (another Hindu holy man), was sufficiently chaste to be unaffected by her nakedness. Abha's husband was so distressed he offered himself in his wife's place; he would keep the old man warm at night. But no, Gandhi wanted Abha for his Brahmacharya experiment."
So the next time someone tells you that delightful quote by Gandhi: “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”
Hmmmmm?! Interesting. Creepy old pervert says what...?
There's very little in this book about Biblical Hell. And some information here would have been nice. I don't think Brian has carefully studied what the Bible has to say. He has settled on the worst case scenario though - but not with a proper understanding. Is the God of the Bible out to torture people with pitchforks and pour lava down their throats? NO. You would need an eternal body in hell to properly embrace that kind of thinking. (remember what requests were made by the Rich man and Lazarus story - Luke 16:19-31? a pleasant conversation requesting a small taste of water)
Brian has wonderfully informed us of how pathetic his theological understandings have been (I've grown through these stages as well). Here's a fun quote:
"In 1986 I went through a Casting demons out of people phase. IT was around this time I also went through a I'm going to wear a mullet like Bono from U2 phase. For the life of me I can't decide which phase was more ridiculous."
(Go with anything U2 oriented on that one...but both were bad.)
I'm glad Brian worked through his Charismatic demon fighting episode's as well. I know many people who need to get past this bit of foolishness. And here's my biggest problem with this book (why I gave it 2 stars): Brian is still a work in progress. A wonderful work. I look forward to reading his other book. This book needed a lot more scripture - and not just verses but the thread that keeps all the verses clear and meaningful throughout the Bible.
I would like to give him an honorable 5 stars for making fun of Joel Osteen and his cowardly evangelistic mutterings. (page 75)
I wanted to give this book 4 stars (for passion and comedy)and 1 star (for seriously lacking theology). But I settled at two. I definitely recommend this book though, but it has some John Wesley flaws it seems:
Brian has had problems assuming salvation is in OUR hands, that God is begging us to save a hellbound citizen or 2. There is no mention in the Bible of people in Hell wishing a Christian would have told them about Jesus. Our churches are filled with non-christians for just this reason. We rationalize that God is NOT in charge - WE can save people. But the Bible is filled with God showing how he works with HIS elect. God is choosing Jesus' bride. God will not fail - but we are blessed enough to be permitted to assist God in sharing the Gospel. Hell will not be empty if we succeed, and Heaven will not be empty if we fail. That type of thinking would defeat God's reason for this whole project in the first place. (Yes, he could have just made us saved and in heaven already.) Read the Bible carefully Brian - and listen to John MacArthur, God is sovereign on every page of scripture.
But it seems Brian Jones is starting to figure this stuff out. And he's been a Pastor how many years? But i'm no better - i've been a Christian over 30 years.
This was a fun read.
Best story I heard in years was Brian telling about how he got fired for evangelizing at the Princeton Theological Seminary bookstore.
Brian quote: "You mean we can have a heated 3 hour discussion about the spirituality of Che Guevara (Marxist revolution), but if I mention Jesus, and what He's doing in my life, that's out of line?"
Store Manager: "YES."
It appears this is just about the worst place to discuss Jesus in America. I guess Brian didn't do his research before he went there. (Before attending any supposed Christian seminary READ: The Battle for the Bible by Harold Lindsell)
I learned something NEW about Gandhi (and freakin' nasty!) Page 216
Elizabeth Abbot, former dean of women at Trinity College in Toronto...points out that Gandhi "requested that various young women,teen-aged virgins or newlyweds, sleep next to him to warm him."
...Gandhi's great nephew's 16 year old wife, had to remove her clothes so that Gandhi could judge whether he, like Ramananda (another Hindu holy man), was sufficiently chaste to be unaffected by her nakedness. Abha's husband was so distressed he offered himself in his wife's place; he would keep the old man warm at night. But no, Gandhi wanted Abha for his Brahmacharya experiment."
So the next time someone tells you that delightful quote by Gandhi: “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”
Hmmmmm?! Interesting. Creepy old pervert says what...?
There's very little in this book about Biblical Hell. And some information here would have been nice. I don't think Brian has carefully studied what the Bible has to say. He has settled on the worst case scenario though - but not with a proper understanding. Is the God of the Bible out to torture people with pitchforks and pour lava down their throats? NO. You would need an eternal body in hell to properly embrace that kind of thinking. (remember what requests were made by the Rich man and Lazarus story - Luke 16:19-31? a pleasant conversation requesting a small taste of water)
Brian has wonderfully informed us of how pathetic his theological understandings have been (I've grown through these stages as well). Here's a fun quote:
"In 1986 I went through a Casting demons out of people phase. IT was around this time I also went through a I'm going to wear a mullet like Bono from U2 phase. For the life of me I can't decide which phase was more ridiculous."
(Go with anything U2 oriented on that one...but both were bad.)
I'm glad Brian worked through his Charismatic demon fighting episode's as well. I know many people who need to get past this bit of foolishness. And here's my biggest problem with this book (why I gave it 2 stars): Brian is still a work in progress. A wonderful work. I look forward to reading his other book. This book needed a lot more scripture - and not just verses but the thread that keeps all the verses clear and meaningful throughout the Bible.
I would like to give him an honorable 5 stars for making fun of Joel Osteen and his cowardly evangelistic mutterings. (page 75)
February 19, 2017
In the wake of Rob Bell’s controversial book "Love Wins", a plethora of books have appeared clamoring to answer the question “Does Hell exist?” Most of these books take us back to the Bible and answer the question in the affirmative. A new book from Brian Jones is no exception. What is different about his book, however, is apparent from its title: "Hell is Real (But I Hate to Admit It)". Jones uses a healthy dose of humor and personal candor as he tackles this ever-troubling topic.
Jones shares his story of secretly disbelieving in Hell for his first four years as a pastor. When he realized his error and confessed his secret sin, he was met with bewilderment. Why confess a doctrinal shortcoming? “Pastor, we were worried there was something more serious going on!” was how many took his news. This is indicative of the sad state of affairs in the church today and part of the reason Jones has given us this book.
His book is written in a simple, straightforward style. He explains the Bible’s teaching on Hell, but more than that, he gets into the question of why it is that he and so many others wanted to believe there isn’t a Hell. He then finishes the book with a call for “apocalyptic urgency” and a straightforward witness to the lost around us.
He doesn’t dismiss social concerns but calls the church to be more forthright in its evangelistic fervor. By the end of the book you aren’t surprised to learn that he was fired from the Princeton Theological Seminary bookstore for being too evangelistic. Jones has a passion for Jesus Christ, and it shows!
This book is accessible and at times humorous. And more importantly, it won’t steer you wrong. It might just spur you on toward a more serious view of evangelism. If we really do believe there is a Hell, shouldn’t that belief burden us all with “apocalyptic urgency”? Brian Jones thinks it should, and I have to agree. Read this book and be challenged. You won’t regret it.
Disclaimer: This book was provided by David C. Cook publishing. I was under no obligation to offer a favorable review.
Jones shares his story of secretly disbelieving in Hell for his first four years as a pastor. When he realized his error and confessed his secret sin, he was met with bewilderment. Why confess a doctrinal shortcoming? “Pastor, we were worried there was something more serious going on!” was how many took his news. This is indicative of the sad state of affairs in the church today and part of the reason Jones has given us this book.
His book is written in a simple, straightforward style. He explains the Bible’s teaching on Hell, but more than that, he gets into the question of why it is that he and so many others wanted to believe there isn’t a Hell. He then finishes the book with a call for “apocalyptic urgency” and a straightforward witness to the lost around us.
He doesn’t dismiss social concerns but calls the church to be more forthright in its evangelistic fervor. By the end of the book you aren’t surprised to learn that he was fired from the Princeton Theological Seminary bookstore for being too evangelistic. Jones has a passion for Jesus Christ, and it shows!
This book is accessible and at times humorous. And more importantly, it won’t steer you wrong. It might just spur you on toward a more serious view of evangelism. If we really do believe there is a Hell, shouldn’t that belief burden us all with “apocalyptic urgency”? Brian Jones thinks it should, and I have to agree. Read this book and be challenged. You won’t regret it.
Disclaimer: This book was provided by David C. Cook publishing. I was under no obligation to offer a favorable review.
June 20, 2015
This is the most disappointing book I've read in a long, long time. The author does very little to develop the Biblical doctrine of hell and spends most of the book pushing his watered-down, non-confrontational, unbiblical view of relationship evangelism. He openly mocks people who would believe so fervently in hell that they would dare witness to people without building relationships first. Not even George Whitefield escapes his sanctimonious drivel. (Page 232) Don't waste your time on this one, folks.
May 31, 2017
Read this book in preparation for a sermon on hell. I commend Jones for his courage to teach the truth about hell, but at times his theology of salvation leaves the reader feeling guilty. Rather than reminding his readers what Jonah said from the fish's belly--"salvation belongs to the LORD"--Jones gives the impression (and at times explicitly says) that it's part/all our fault when people die without Christ. That said, I appreciated Jones' concept of apocalyptic urgency (though I would go about it from a different perspective) and his final section offering practical tips on evangelism, many of which were helpful. But for the Christian looking to read an accessible book on hell from a biblical perspective, try "Erasing Hell" by Francis Chan and pass this book by.
July 2, 2017
Brian begins by telling the true story of when family car travel was interrupted by the signs of an emerging building fire. His hesitant, but then urgent action saved the lives of some dazed apartment dwellers. Jones then admits that as a Pastor, he secretly did not believe in Hell, but this event catalyzed a serious investigation into the spiritual realities he was denying. His style is believable and real, his treatment direct, and Biblically grounded. The book is well organized around our objections, urging all that “you have skin in this game.”
June 29, 2018
I strongly disagreed with the tone. I don't believe the title; he loves to admit it, and relishes the sense of being a tough-minded rebel against the wishy-washy culture. It encourages self-righteousness in believing in hell and keeps yelling at the reader at for selling out Jesus and the gospel if he doesn't embrace the same attitude. All the worst of fear-based motivation to evangelize. Doesn't really grapple with the doctrinal questions.
December 18, 2017
A good read
I enjoyed reading how the Lord challenged his belief system. However, I did not like the style in which he communicated some of his convictions and ideas.
I enjoyed reading how the Lord challenged his belief system. However, I did not like the style in which he communicated some of his convictions and ideas.
August 24, 2011
What a timely book! If you haven’t been hearing lately in the Christian community there is a debate brewing and while some may hope it’d actually be a worthwhile debate it’s over something Biblical and implicitly in the Bible – are you ready for it? Whether or not Hell is real. Seriously, there are some who are calling themselves Christian who firmly believe there is no Hell because they can’t find it in the Bible and besides a loving God wouldn’t send any of His children to eternal punishment. So there are a lot of thoughts I could give but this is a book review, so let’s get back to the book, shall we?
Hell is Real (But I Hate to Admit It) is a timely book in that the day I received it was also a day I’d entered into a discussion with someone who had just been enlightened about there not being a Hell. I just love the way God works! Brian Jones goes into why there is a Hell including Scriptural basis for that belief – whew! No, he doesn’t get into all the Greek but he does show Scriptural basis for an eternal punishment for those who don’t believe in Jesus Christ, called Hell.
That being said I’m only 1/2 way through this book, it’s not that it’s a hard book to get through but I started it late in time for this review. Even though I’ve only read half of it I cannot say how much I have been enjoying it. He may come across as unloving at times, lets face it, unbelievers think we’re close minded or bigoted or whatever else they can come up with when they are told Hell is real and non-Christians will go there when they die.
Brian Jones has great points for Christians to go out and evangelize, not just feed the hungry, clothe the homeless, or serve on mission trips. This is not the point of Christianity – it is to bring souls to God so that they can obtain eternal life with their Father! Shocking, yes too many this will shock them – Christians have become numb because they want to have one foot in the world (don’t mention Hell but do good works) and one foot in the Christian world (talk about Heaven at church but don’t mention Hell in case there is an unsaved visitor).
If you want to know that yes the Bible is correct and Jesus wasn’t lying when He said there is a Hell and eternal separation from God then this book is a great place to start. It’s a great and engaging read that goes fast but if you want more meat in the no Hell vs. Hell debate this isn’t it, it’s the tip of the iceberg. It’ll give you Scriptural basis for Hell, why it’s real and how to help others avoid it. Brian Jones is a preacher who preached for years that there was no Hell until God got him on his knees and then on his face and showed him otherwise.
***Special thanks to Audra Jennings, Senior Media Specialist, The B&B Media Group for sending me a review copy.***
Hell is Real (But I Hate to Admit It) is a timely book in that the day I received it was also a day I’d entered into a discussion with someone who had just been enlightened about there not being a Hell. I just love the way God works! Brian Jones goes into why there is a Hell including Scriptural basis for that belief – whew! No, he doesn’t get into all the Greek but he does show Scriptural basis for an eternal punishment for those who don’t believe in Jesus Christ, called Hell.
That being said I’m only 1/2 way through this book, it’s not that it’s a hard book to get through but I started it late in time for this review. Even though I’ve only read half of it I cannot say how much I have been enjoying it. He may come across as unloving at times, lets face it, unbelievers think we’re close minded or bigoted or whatever else they can come up with when they are told Hell is real and non-Christians will go there when they die.
Brian Jones has great points for Christians to go out and evangelize, not just feed the hungry, clothe the homeless, or serve on mission trips. This is not the point of Christianity – it is to bring souls to God so that they can obtain eternal life with their Father! Shocking, yes too many this will shock them – Christians have become numb because they want to have one foot in the world (don’t mention Hell but do good works) and one foot in the Christian world (talk about Heaven at church but don’t mention Hell in case there is an unsaved visitor).
If you want to know that yes the Bible is correct and Jesus wasn’t lying when He said there is a Hell and eternal separation from God then this book is a great place to start. It’s a great and engaging read that goes fast but if you want more meat in the no Hell vs. Hell debate this isn’t it, it’s the tip of the iceberg. It’ll give you Scriptural basis for Hell, why it’s real and how to help others avoid it. Brian Jones is a preacher who preached for years that there was no Hell until God got him on his knees and then on his face and showed him otherwise.
***Special thanks to Audra Jennings, Senior Media Specialist, The B&B Media Group for sending me a review copy.***
October 4, 2011
Once a month, Brian would take a spiritual retreat and go off to a monastery to pray, journal, walk in the woods, and then leave late in the afternoon. One day he received a spiritual revelation at the monastery. God connected with him and impressed on him that his life as a pastor was a charade, as he wasn’t preaching the whole Bible, particularly about Hell. To challenge God’s words about Hell, like “Russian roulette,” he opened his Bible randomly to see if what God was saying was true. To his surprise, everything he opened up to related to Hell. This led to conviction, repentance, and the writing of this book.
It seems fair to say that at least one time in many of our lives, we thought of God as a loving God who wouldn’t punish anyone in hell. However, we fail to acknowledge that He is also a holy God of justice and punishes unrepentant sinners with eternal death. He cannot allow sin to enter His holy presence. Even mankind wants justice when someone has committed a crime against them. Where do we get this sense of justice?
Brian Jones, in his book, Hell is Real (But I Hate to Admit It), starts out with six ‘logical’ reasons why he didn’t believe in hell. I am sure many of us can resonate with his objections.
Brian challenges us, based on the teachings of Jesus, to witness as though people’s’ eternal lives depended on it, because it does! He examines reasons why Christians avoid talking about Hell. His book is also a compilation of how-not-to and how-to methods of reaching those who don’t trust and believe in Jesus. Most of the presentations are based on his own experiences. The subject headings help ground you in his style of writing.
Initially I felt the author dwelt too heavily on just avoiding hell. But as he progresses in the book, he balances out the urgency of bringing people to the Lord because He wants us to live with Him eternally in relationship. So if you seem to get bogged down part way through, keep going to the end of his book. You’ll be glad you did!
What Brian doesn’t mention is that eternal fire was initially prepared for the devil and his angels. But in Mathew 25:41, we see that He does send those who are accursed to eternal fire also. A sobering thought–one to spur you on to reach people for Jesus! So don’t fall for today’s media controversy and ideas that Hell isn’t real. Peoples’ lives depend on it!
Many people have heard John 14:6, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” There’s another powerful Scripture that deals with Jesus in Acts 4:12, “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”
This book was provided by Audra Jennings of The B&B Media Group, Inc., in exchange for my honest review. No monetary compensation was exchanged.
It seems fair to say that at least one time in many of our lives, we thought of God as a loving God who wouldn’t punish anyone in hell. However, we fail to acknowledge that He is also a holy God of justice and punishes unrepentant sinners with eternal death. He cannot allow sin to enter His holy presence. Even mankind wants justice when someone has committed a crime against them. Where do we get this sense of justice?
Brian Jones, in his book, Hell is Real (But I Hate to Admit It), starts out with six ‘logical’ reasons why he didn’t believe in hell. I am sure many of us can resonate with his objections.
Brian challenges us, based on the teachings of Jesus, to witness as though people’s’ eternal lives depended on it, because it does! He examines reasons why Christians avoid talking about Hell. His book is also a compilation of how-not-to and how-to methods of reaching those who don’t trust and believe in Jesus. Most of the presentations are based on his own experiences. The subject headings help ground you in his style of writing.
Initially I felt the author dwelt too heavily on just avoiding hell. But as he progresses in the book, he balances out the urgency of bringing people to the Lord because He wants us to live with Him eternally in relationship. So if you seem to get bogged down part way through, keep going to the end of his book. You’ll be glad you did!
What Brian doesn’t mention is that eternal fire was initially prepared for the devil and his angels. But in Mathew 25:41, we see that He does send those who are accursed to eternal fire also. A sobering thought–one to spur you on to reach people for Jesus! So don’t fall for today’s media controversy and ideas that Hell isn’t real. Peoples’ lives depend on it!
Many people have heard John 14:6, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” There’s another powerful Scripture that deals with Jesus in Acts 4:12, “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”
This book was provided by Audra Jennings of The B&B Media Group, Inc., in exchange for my honest review. No monetary compensation was exchanged.
August 10, 2011
Hell is Real (But I Hate to Admit It) by Brian Jones
Brian Jones in Hell is Real (But I Hate to Admit It) discusses his voyage of self-discovery that the Hell of the Bible is real and how it has impacted his life. Jones examines why he personally failed to hold to a personal belief in heaven and why as group Christian by in large do not believe in a real hell. The then details how a real belief in the doctrine of hell has impacted his ministry and moved him to become very serious about salvation and helping others to avoid an eternity in hell. Finally, he provide his readers practical advice and guidance to leading non-believers to a saving faith in Jesus, and thus helping them to avoid an eternity of wrath.
Overall this text led to mixed reactions from me. First, realizing that I have failed to understand my own beliefs more fully on heaven and hell I have found the recent literary conversation about heaven a timely and interesting one. And this book definitely falls into that conversation, and provides a different view point of once you believe in hell this is how you can behave. And I found his evangelism advice helpful, useful and realistic especially as one who sees this area as a weak spot. And I love his explanation of a Christian as an foreign ambassador living amongst unbelievers. But there were also misses for me. He discusses uncovering how Bible study led him to discover the truth of hell for himself. I would have loved for him to walk his readers from fully through this process. Additionally, he discusses God’s wrath, but in my mind never fully answers the question of why God is wrathful. Finally, Jones who clearly is a compassionate man describes himself and statements as a way that can only be seen as harsh and unkind. These comes especially in the first half of the book where the second half better draws out Jones’ personality. Overall I was hoping for a fuller discussion of the doctrine of hell than was provided in a book which is really a call for evangelism.
Review Copy Provided by The B&B Media Group, Inc.
Brian Jones in Hell is Real (But I Hate to Admit It) discusses his voyage of self-discovery that the Hell of the Bible is real and how it has impacted his life. Jones examines why he personally failed to hold to a personal belief in heaven and why as group Christian by in large do not believe in a real hell. The then details how a real belief in the doctrine of hell has impacted his ministry and moved him to become very serious about salvation and helping others to avoid an eternity in hell. Finally, he provide his readers practical advice and guidance to leading non-believers to a saving faith in Jesus, and thus helping them to avoid an eternity of wrath.
Overall this text led to mixed reactions from me. First, realizing that I have failed to understand my own beliefs more fully on heaven and hell I have found the recent literary conversation about heaven a timely and interesting one. And this book definitely falls into that conversation, and provides a different view point of once you believe in hell this is how you can behave. And I found his evangelism advice helpful, useful and realistic especially as one who sees this area as a weak spot. And I love his explanation of a Christian as an foreign ambassador living amongst unbelievers. But there were also misses for me. He discusses uncovering how Bible study led him to discover the truth of hell for himself. I would have loved for him to walk his readers from fully through this process. Additionally, he discusses God’s wrath, but in my mind never fully answers the question of why God is wrathful. Finally, Jones who clearly is a compassionate man describes himself and statements as a way that can only be seen as harsh and unkind. These comes especially in the first half of the book where the second half better draws out Jones’ personality. Overall I was hoping for a fuller discussion of the doctrine of hell than was provided in a book which is really a call for evangelism.
Review Copy Provided by The B&B Media Group, Inc.
February 17, 2017
I probably wouldn't have purchased this book just browsing the Kindle Store, but I got an email that it was free, so I added it to my collection. It's kind of an intriguing title for a book. The author has a very engaging style. I was not bored at any point in the book. I liked his honesty and straightforwardness. I highlighted some parts, and will probably revisit those parts in the future. I found his practical advice on what to do and what not to do in personal evangelism to be quite helpful. As with any book, though, the hard part is putting into practice what you just read, rather than walking away and saying "great book" but doing nothing about it.
September 5, 2011
Title: HELL IS REAL (BUT I HATE TO ADMIT IT)
Author: Brian Jones
Publisher: David C. Cook
August 2011
ISBN: 978-0-7814-0572-0
Genre: Inspirational/eternal destiny/evangelism
Eternal damnation… really?
There have been some books published lately, by well known pastors of mega churches who are convinced that Hell is not real, it’s a figment of our imagination, because, really, why would a loving God cast anyone into a lake of fire? Brian Jones used to be a member of that camp, but after an amazing experience when he rescued several people from an apartment fire, Jones began to rethink his position. And after extensive study, he came to the conclusion that Hell is real.
Hell is not really a subject matter I was interested in, but when I discussed this book with my husband, he mentioned a well known pastor in the Grand Rapids area (Bob Bell) who has recently released a book declaring that Hell isn’t real—and there is a video trailer out online about it. So then I got curious about what Jones had to say about the subject.
Now, I always believed that Hell existed. I was raised in a Christian home. I was taught Bible from the beginning—and that was part of Bible teaching in a full-doctrine church. So, I knew most all the references to Hell. I felt that Jones wrote a very well thought out book about why Hell does exist, and he provided solid biblical proof for its existence.
If you (or someone you know) is struggling with belief in this very real place, then HELL IS REAL (BUT I HATE TO ADMIT IT) is a book that you might want to consider getting. It could also be used as a great witnessing tool. Additional notes and resources are included. $14.99. 370 pages.
Author: Brian Jones
Publisher: David C. Cook
August 2011
ISBN: 978-0-7814-0572-0
Genre: Inspirational/eternal destiny/evangelism
Eternal damnation… really?
There have been some books published lately, by well known pastors of mega churches who are convinced that Hell is not real, it’s a figment of our imagination, because, really, why would a loving God cast anyone into a lake of fire? Brian Jones used to be a member of that camp, but after an amazing experience when he rescued several people from an apartment fire, Jones began to rethink his position. And after extensive study, he came to the conclusion that Hell is real.
Hell is not really a subject matter I was interested in, but when I discussed this book with my husband, he mentioned a well known pastor in the Grand Rapids area (Bob Bell) who has recently released a book declaring that Hell isn’t real—and there is a video trailer out online about it. So then I got curious about what Jones had to say about the subject.
Now, I always believed that Hell existed. I was raised in a Christian home. I was taught Bible from the beginning—and that was part of Bible teaching in a full-doctrine church. So, I knew most all the references to Hell. I felt that Jones wrote a very well thought out book about why Hell does exist, and he provided solid biblical proof for its existence.
If you (or someone you know) is struggling with belief in this very real place, then HELL IS REAL (BUT I HATE TO ADMIT IT) is a book that you might want to consider getting. It could also be used as a great witnessing tool. Additional notes and resources are included. $14.99. 370 pages.
September 12, 2011
Hell is Real (But I Hate to Admit It) by Brian Jones is an eye-opening response to Rob Bell's Love Wins. Jones was a pastor for several years but never actually believed in the existence of hell. His years in seminary and conversations with other pastors led him to believe that a loving God would never send anyone to eternal damnation and torment. An experience in prayer forced him to search the Scriptures to research what Jesus really had to say about the matter, and he was shocked to discover that he was really and truly wrong. This discovery gave him "apocalyptic urgency" to save everyone around him, often with less than successful results because of his methods. Jones first wants readers to gain that same sense of apocalyptic urgency to save those they love, and then give them the tools they need to do it successfully. He uses Scripture to shake up readers' sense of God and eternity. His words of blatant truth feel like a sucker punch to the soul, and anyone who reads the book will be hard pressed to remain unchanged by the last page. Jones' advice to teach people about Jesus is completely counter-intuitive to what most Christians have been teaching for years. Don't separate yourself from the world, make yourself an interesting person by learning about different subjects and hobbies so you can have a real conversation, and most importantly, develop a relationship. If more Christians read this book, it will change the often painful, yet true, popular image of Christians as insensitive, judgmental, and elitist. All of this could be hard to swallow by another author, but Jones is engaging and self-deprecating, making the book an enjoyable read, as strange as that seems.
April 2, 2012
In today's society of tolerance, many people believe that all religions are equally valid, just different approaches to reach the same end. Christians who believe the Bible, though, know that Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. There is no other way to obtain salvation. There are Christians who can't believe a loving God would send someone to Hell; some don't even believe Hell exists. Yet if we believe God's Holy Word, we know that Hell is real and that we will all end up there unless we accept the free gift of salvation offered by our Lord Jesus Christ. God is a God of justice, and all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. The wages of sin is death, and we will be justly punished for our evil. But God sent Jesus to take our sin upon Himself and die upon the Cross to take our punishment. There's only one catch: we have to accept that gift—and no one can accept the gift of atonement and eternal life if he does not know he is on the road to hell and repent. As Christians, if we don't share our faith, others will go to hell. "You're the only plan God has. You are the ministry of reconciliation." Jones goes on to give advice about how to share the Gospel by developing relationships, avoiding coming on too strong, trusting the process of evangelism, trusting the One who controls the process, and looking for an open door. If we care about the people around us who don't share our faith, we will develop apocalyptic urgency, "the all-consuming conviction that overtakes you when you realize that hell is real, and that it is within your power to help people avoid going there."
October 4, 2017
Not what I expected
This is not a hell and brimstone type of book it does as the title suggests talk about the reality that hell exists but so does the bible when you read it. It looks at the facts and then at ways of helping others avoid going. Why would GOD ......... yes it looks at that and you may not agree with all he says but I have yet to meet a Christian who agrees with everything other Christians says unless they are strong followers of a set way and then it only last for so long. I think it's just we tend to ask lots of questions and that is what the HOLY SPIRIT teaches us as Paul says test what is put in front of you. So that is what this book does as do most good books it gets you to question the reality of hell and obviously if you believe in that then you will know heaven is real and ready for us. This is a good wake up and a book that helps us question alot of what is becoming popular now the opposite to hell and brimstone but going so far the opposite way doesn't address the issue it just makes a new problem. So to understand this it is a good book from Brian and well worth reading in my view.
This is not a hell and brimstone type of book it does as the title suggests talk about the reality that hell exists but so does the bible when you read it. It looks at the facts and then at ways of helping others avoid going. Why would GOD ......... yes it looks at that and you may not agree with all he says but I have yet to meet a Christian who agrees with everything other Christians says unless they are strong followers of a set way and then it only last for so long. I think it's just we tend to ask lots of questions and that is what the HOLY SPIRIT teaches us as Paul says test what is put in front of you. So that is what this book does as do most good books it gets you to question the reality of hell and obviously if you believe in that then you will know heaven is real and ready for us. This is a good wake up and a book that helps us question alot of what is becoming popular now the opposite to hell and brimstone but going so far the opposite way doesn't address the issue it just makes a new problem. So to understand this it is a good book from Brian and well worth reading in my view.
August 21, 2012
Well, I did not expect to like this as much as I did. Especially after all of the universalism/hell is real debate books I've read this summer; I felt like I'd heard the whole of the argument, and I kind of had. Jones present nothing new, but his style is radically different. It is personal, combative, and incredibly intense. This is less about whether hell is real, actually, and more about what you do when you come down on a side of that. The back third or so is about evangelizing, and that sounds incredibly worrisome and annoying, but it wasn't. Jones repeatedly makes the case against cold-call evangelism, the browbeating type of ambush that some Christians think has to go with what Jones calls "apocalyptic urgency." This is actually a really solid look at the practicality of the debate, no matter which side you're on. I highly recommend it, and in fact am going to buy it. No matter whether I agree with him or not, Jones has a magnificent presentation of his case, and one worth keeping on my shelves if I get entangled in this debate again.
July 6, 2014
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Brian Jones is a very engaging writer. There were several hilarious anecdotes, but the message of this book is a very important one. I would recommend this book to everyone! I was thoroughly astonished at how many Christians don't believe in Hell. And that seems to be a growing trend, especially in the American Christian circles. And yet, any true study of the New Testament will reveal the truth on the matter. It is very sad to realize that so many of our "teachers" in Christian colleges or seminary are teaching stuff that is contrary to the Bible. I personally know several people that went to Christian colleges and came back with compromised beliefs. Hell is very real, and yes, sometimes we hate to admit it. But if you know if your heart that it is real, you do have an urgency for everyone you know to be saved. For me, this book explained to me why a lot of my friends don't have the urgency.
February 6, 2016
I loved this book! Being a new Christian, this was an informing and highly entertaining book to read. His humor and mistakes he has made, made me feel more comfortable in my own journey growing in Christ. After reading this book, to me, it's glaringly obvious that hell exists and how important it to help our family and friends or anyone to get saved! It made me look at it from a "big picture" perspective. It's an apocalyptic emergency!!
I also learned a not so creepy approach to evangelism, which is invaluable! Evangelism is probably my biggest weakness. I confess, I don't do it very often for fear of people thinking I'm weird. But his approach makes me much more comfortable with it, so thank you Brian!!
I also learned a not so creepy approach to evangelism, which is invaluable! Evangelism is probably my biggest weakness. I confess, I don't do it very often for fear of people thinking I'm weird. But his approach makes me much more comfortable with it, so thank you Brian!!
March 22, 2019
Avoid Hell Please
I understand the author's urgency to avoid eternal punishment. I know some believe the punishment is eternal and some believe it to eventually be annihilation. I lean to the latter...but either way want to avoid it and want you to avoid it. Study your Bible and obey to the point of baptism which is immersion in water....a form of death burial and resurrection...as Jesus did. I believe the author sees this as an important step...but I see it as the point where one is saved...not by water but by obeying God's command. I think waiting for a baptism service is delaying. It looks like all the converts in Acts saw an urgency to this act. Thanks for a lot of good information...I hope I can encourage others to go in the right direction.
I understand the author's urgency to avoid eternal punishment. I know some believe the punishment is eternal and some believe it to eventually be annihilation. I lean to the latter...but either way want to avoid it and want you to avoid it. Study your Bible and obey to the point of baptism which is immersion in water....a form of death burial and resurrection...as Jesus did. I believe the author sees this as an important step...but I see it as the point where one is saved...not by water but by obeying God's command. I think waiting for a baptism service is delaying. It looks like all the converts in Acts saw an urgency to this act. Thanks for a lot of good information...I hope I can encourage others to go in the right direction.
November 6, 2021
The first few chapters of Jones’s book provide weak arguments for the reality of hell even while explicitly apologising to the reader for including too much theology in the book. Jones also makes poorly motivated claims, like attributing a lack of faith in hell to shame heaped on by non-believers and declaring that Christians are required to repent and not think their way out of theological issues with topics like hell.
However, the rest of the book is vastly better.
Jones gives insightful perspective into how a reader with similar theological beliefs to himself would effectively channel apocalyptic urgency into loving, calm, relationship based evangelism as opposed to misdirected soap box preaching.
However, the rest of the book is vastly better.
Jones gives insightful perspective into how a reader with similar theological beliefs to himself would effectively channel apocalyptic urgency into loving, calm, relationship based evangelism as opposed to misdirected soap box preaching.
October 11, 2011
I have never really struggled with the thought of there not being a Hell, maybe that comes from being born again as an adult. I can see how the world can lean toward our loving God not really having a Hell to send people to though. I love how Brian goes out on a limb and writes a much needed book in a gentle, yet confident manner. No fire and brimstone, repent now or forever parish type of writing, but honest and poignant, referencing scripture to back up his findings, and prayerfully writing. I definitely enjoyed the book and will refer those who are uncertain about the thought of Hell to read this book
September 28, 2015
Even halfway through Mr. Jones' helpful book, he had makes his thesis abundantly clear.
Plus he's backed it up with as many New Covenant Scriptures as doubters and advocates of the "Love Gospel" will need to abandon the latter!
Jones' thesis is:
"Until Jesus Followers accept the truth that the God of Jesus, John, and Paul is just as hateful of sin and sinners and vengeful toward them as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, we will not have an "apocalyptic urgency" for the lost going to hell without our King among our co-workers, friends, neighbours, and relatives!" ~ © gfp '42™
Christian: enjoy and be convicted!
GaryFPatton
(2013-08-04 © gfp '42™)
Plus he's backed it up with as many New Covenant Scriptures as doubters and advocates of the "Love Gospel" will need to abandon the latter!
Jones' thesis is:
"Until Jesus Followers accept the truth that the God of Jesus, John, and Paul is just as hateful of sin and sinners and vengeful toward them as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, we will not have an "apocalyptic urgency" for the lost going to hell without our King among our co-workers, friends, neighbours, and relatives!" ~ © gfp '42™
Christian: enjoy and be convicted!
GaryFPatton
(2013-08-04 © gfp '42™)
January 24, 2015
I have read hundreds of books on personal evangelism and this is by far the best one I have read. This gets to the heart of the lack of motivation in most Christian, we do not believe in hell. Brian then spends several chapters explaining why our view of hell matters. Closes out the book with practice steps on how the average Christian can share their faith. What makes this book readable is Brians personal stories and unique illustrations. A must read for every pastor!
March 1, 2015
Excellent Book!
Author Brian Jones makes a compelling, Biblically-based case for the reality of Hell and provides practical advice for leading non-Christians to a saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. I strongly recommend this book to Christians who feel compelled by Christ's Great Commission (Matthew 28:19) to share their faith, yet are either intimidated or unsure how to go about it. As Brian says, you CAN do this.
Author Brian Jones makes a compelling, Biblically-based case for the reality of Hell and provides practical advice for leading non-Christians to a saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. I strongly recommend this book to Christians who feel compelled by Christ's Great Commission (Matthew 28:19) to share their faith, yet are either intimidated or unsure how to go about it. As Brian says, you CAN do this.
September 19, 2013
Some books about evangelism leave you scratching your head. Not this one. A practical, nonsense look at how evangelism is done the right way in your everyday actions. A focus on relationships and why you aren't called to evangelize everyone you meet. Insightful, practical, humerous, and incredibly culturally releveant. A must read for anyone who has ever considered sharing their faith.
September 10, 2015
I always respect somebody who goes out on the limb on an unpopular topic, but despite accurately conveying the ethical problems with the traditional hell belief he doesn't really try to answer them. Throughout the assumption is that denying the reality of the red hot pincers will automatically lead to a wishy washy universalism, when there's really no reason why that has to be the case.
November 15, 2013
This was a very interesting book. I would definitely recommend you read this just because of it makes you think. The only thing that may turn you off is that it does get a little pushy and being baptised into Christianity. I am a Christian. I am a believer in both Heaven and Hell. That is all.
February 20, 2014
All over a helpful book, but I take one star off because I strongly disagree that one should NEVER witness to someone you don't know. I know many people who have been saved because of a door God opened through a stranger at just the right time.
May 23, 2015
Worth the read
I would definitely recommend this book. Well worth it. This book talks straight to you with practical advice. Easy to read, interesting stories, but more importantly gives you practical advice about why and how to share your faith. Add this to your collection.
I would definitely recommend this book. Well worth it. This book talks straight to you with practical advice. Easy to read, interesting stories, but more importantly gives you practical advice about why and how to share your faith. Add this to your collection.
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