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Hell Bent: How the Fear of Hell Holds Christians Back from a Spirituality of Love
A former evangelical pastor explains why we can stop worrying about hell and start focusing on love
There is a black hole at the center of Christian the doctrine of hell. No matter how hard we try to believe in a loving God, the fear of eternal torment always lurks at the back of our minds, warping our sense of what love means. Worse still, many churches act as if the point of Christianity is not to follow Jesus but to secure a get-out-of-hell-free card—and to “save” everyone you know by converting them to your religion. For many of us, the whole story of Christianity has punishment at the very center. But does the Bible really say we’re going to hell if we don’t do or believe the “right” things?
In this taboo-shattering book, former evangelical pastor Brian Recker takes an honest look at scripture and reveals what has been true all Hell isn’t real, and God’s universal love is radically inclusive, in this life and the next. By removing punishment from Christianity's center, Recker boldly reimagines the core questions of faith, such as why Jesus lived and died, and what it means to be “saved.” It’s time to rediscover spirituality as Jesus taught loving God, and loving our neighbors as ourselves. Whether you’re Christian, exvangelical, or anywhere along a deconstruction journey, Hellbent is the perfect resource to help you replace fear and church hurt with healing and peace.
There is a black hole at the center of Christian the doctrine of hell. No matter how hard we try to believe in a loving God, the fear of eternal torment always lurks at the back of our minds, warping our sense of what love means. Worse still, many churches act as if the point of Christianity is not to follow Jesus but to secure a get-out-of-hell-free card—and to “save” everyone you know by converting them to your religion. For many of us, the whole story of Christianity has punishment at the very center. But does the Bible really say we’re going to hell if we don’t do or believe the “right” things?
In this taboo-shattering book, former evangelical pastor Brian Recker takes an honest look at scripture and reveals what has been true all Hell isn’t real, and God’s universal love is radically inclusive, in this life and the next. By removing punishment from Christianity's center, Recker boldly reimagines the core questions of faith, such as why Jesus lived and died, and what it means to be “saved.” It’s time to rediscover spirituality as Jesus taught loving God, and loving our neighbors as ourselves. Whether you’re Christian, exvangelical, or anywhere along a deconstruction journey, Hellbent is the perfect resource to help you replace fear and church hurt with healing and peace.
272 pages, Hardcover
Published September 30, 2025
405 people are currently reading
2441 people want to read
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September 12, 2025
TL;DR: If you ever felt like Jesus wasn’t talking about everyone — that maybe you or your neighbor were outside of, or apart from, God’s love — then I suggest giving Hell Bent a try.
***
This book is thoughtful, thought-provoking, passionate, and deeply committed to inspiring a more loving internal and external world for all of us to flourish within. I have sought bite-sized spiritual wisdom from Recker’s online presence for some time now, and this book was a wonderful blend of callbacks to those online videos/essays mixed with fresh insights that had me in a constant state of highlighting.
As a queer kid raised in Christianity, I always felt like God’s love and blessings weren’t meant for me. I was a sinner by nature, and even though that was supposedly true about everyone, it felt a little extra true about me. The fear of Hell was deep, to the point that my only path to self-preservation felt like I had to reject faith altogether. If I wanted to believe Hell wasn’t real, I had to believe God wasn’t real either. In my adulthood, I’ve taken the scenic route back to Christianity, and I’ve now joined a Christian church that unequivocally embraces me, my wife, and our children. It’s a community I never thought I would find, and I cried during my first church service there, because I realized it was the first time I was in an explicitly Christian space where I didn’t feel crushed by the vision that I was going to Hell. I wasn’t holding my breath, or putting space between me and the holy things. This book evoked that same sense of relief, spirituality, and community, for all the same reasons.
***
This book is thoughtful, thought-provoking, passionate, and deeply committed to inspiring a more loving internal and external world for all of us to flourish within. I have sought bite-sized spiritual wisdom from Recker’s online presence for some time now, and this book was a wonderful blend of callbacks to those online videos/essays mixed with fresh insights that had me in a constant state of highlighting.
As a queer kid raised in Christianity, I always felt like God’s love and blessings weren’t meant for me. I was a sinner by nature, and even though that was supposedly true about everyone, it felt a little extra true about me. The fear of Hell was deep, to the point that my only path to self-preservation felt like I had to reject faith altogether. If I wanted to believe Hell wasn’t real, I had to believe God wasn’t real either. In my adulthood, I’ve taken the scenic route back to Christianity, and I’ve now joined a Christian church that unequivocally embraces me, my wife, and our children. It’s a community I never thought I would find, and I cried during my first church service there, because I realized it was the first time I was in an explicitly Christian space where I didn’t feel crushed by the vision that I was going to Hell. I wasn’t holding my breath, or putting space between me and the holy things. This book evoked that same sense of relief, spirituality, and community, for all the same reasons.
October 15, 2025
I haven't felt this hopeful in a long time. ❤️
January 13, 2026
It is refreshing to open a book by an author who is vulnerable and writes in a way that is faithful to the Word of God. Brian Recker’s book, Hell Bent: How the Fear of Hell Holds Christians Back from a Spirituality of Love is indeed vulnerable and transparent. He shares how he gave up a career as a pastor, a decision that cost him a network of friends and a life he anticipated would last for decades. He describes a marriage that crumbled and a transition to life as a single father. Mr. Recker’s authentic approach to writing is refreshing and rare. But tragically, he actually does not write in a way that is faithful to the Scripture.
The author’s primary concern is to convince readers that hell, as conceived of for hundreds of years of church history and by evangelical Christians, is a myth. Unlike contemporary annihilationists, who believe in hell but reject conscious eternal torment, Mr. Recker repudiates the notion of hell altogether. Recker writes, “Hell — with the fear it inspires, the exclusivity it demands, the judgment it promotes, and the punitive God it portrays — corrupts Christian spirituality.” Questioning and rethinking the doctrine of hell led the author down his own path of deconstruction, which, in his words, is “the term used by a growing movement of people who have begun to investigate the premises of their faith with new eyes.” Recker makes his goal clear at the outset: “I deeply hope that Christians – and everyone else – reject the doctrine of hell.”
But readers will get more than they bargained for in Hell Bent. Brian Recker not only abandons the doctrine of hell (including conscious eternal torment), he also rejects the doctrine of original sin, the inerrancy of Scripture, and penal substitutionary atonement. Additionally, he rejects the gospel as it is presented in Scripture and opts for a social justice model and, not surprisingly, embraces universalism, the idea that all people will be reconciled to God, in the final analysis. To make matters worse, the author affirms the LGBTQ movement, promotes liberation theology (commending authors like James Cone and Margus Borg) and progressive Christianity (commending authors like Richard Rohr and Paul Tillich). Instead of seeing sinners who need to be reconciled to God and redeemed by the blood of Christ, he promotes what he calls, healthy spirituality, defined as “getting in touch with your divine self.” “Whatever makes me feel connected to myself, to God, and to others,” writes Recker, “this is spiritual for me.”
Hell Bent presents another gospel. In the words of the author, “The gospel – the good news – is that you are already fully loved and accepted … Salvation is just a way of describing the moment we come to know and believe that we are already loved, that we have always been loved.” Recker writes, “Hell makes it very hard to believe in our belovedness. The terrifying consequences of our supposed innate wickedness do not leave room for the possibility that God may actually rejoice over us, exactly as we are … God is not going to damn you, especially not for being the way God created you.”
While the author rejects the historical and biblical teaching concerning hell, he posits a cavalier view of hell, which is essentially the hell we create for ourselves. Recker writes, “Hell is real, but it’s not a place. Hell is a metaphor, and as a metaphor, it’s as real as anything.” Commenting on Matthew 25:45-46, where Jesus warns the unrepentant of “going away into eternal punishment,” Recker argues, “Jesus is warning us that when we neglect vulnerable, marginalized people, we create hell for ourselves and for other people.” He continues, “Hell is the natural consequence of our actions, not punishment from God. God does not punish sin in the way we punish each other. Sin is its own punishment.” He approvingly cites the Franciscan priest, Richard Rohr: “We are punished not for our sins, but by our sins.”
Even though Mr. Recker repudiates some fundamental doctrines of historical Christianity, he still professes to be a Christian. He affirms, “Although I’m a Christian, I do not believe it’s essential for people to become Christians to experience healthy spirituality or be connected to God.” He continues, “Jesus invites everyone to a banquet, and the very nature of hell is refusing to join the party.” As one who rejects the doctrine of original sin, he views everyone as “clean.” He argues, “Hell is what happens when we fail to recognize our connection to each other.”
Evaluation
Hell Bent is a complete recasting and reformulation of Scripture. The author picks and chooses the doctrines he likes and abandons the doctrines that fail to meet his personal criteria. The reasons below highlight why I cannot commend this book to any serious-minded follower of Christ.
A flawed view of God
A. W. Tozer says, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” The god in Hell Bent is only loving and never judging. He is presented as “a universal Spirit who does not have genitals.” This god excuses sin and tolerates sinful creatures. Or, in the words of the author, “The advance of the LGBTQ rights is another libertine move of the Spirit.”
Tozer adds, “Wrong ideas about God are not only the fountain from which the polluted waters of idolatry flow; they are themselves idolatrous. The idolater simply imagines things about God and acts as if they were true.”
Hell Bent is packed with wrong ideas about God; ideas that will lead the unsuspecting reader down a pathway of idolatry.
A false gospel
Hell Bent promotes a false gospel that bears no resemblance to the gospel that Jesus and the apostles preached. This is not the first time a false gospel has appeared on the scene. The apostle Paul wrote to the Galatian church, “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel — not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.” (Gal. 1:6-7). Paul warned the young pastor, Timothy, to beware of such erroneous theology: “Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers; rather, they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved. Teach and urge these things. If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain” (1 Timothy 6:2b-5).
One of the glaring errors in Hell Bent is the watering down and minimizing of Christ’s cross. The author writes, “The cross shows me what God is like: love, all the way down. A never-stopping love, for the victims and the perpetrators. This is a God who would rather suffer loss for their enemies than punish them … The good news is, God’s presence with you and love for you are not dependent on what you believe about the cross. The cross itself shows us that you couldn’t break free from God’s love if you tried.” This is a far cry from John 3:36 – “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.” Or as Romans 2:5-8 says, “But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury.”
A fatal theology
While Hell Bent advances so-called spirituality, these pages are nothing more than a left-leaning progressive theology that advances inclusivity and syncretism. Such ideals appeal to many people these days, but the words of Proverbs 16:25 remind us, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.”
A futile attempt to debunk the doctrine of eternal conscious torment
Recker maintains (as the subtitle suggests) that “the fear of hell holds Christians back from a spirituality of love.” However, he never proves his case for the abolition of hell. While valiant in his attempt, the case against hell is weak at best and fails to uphold the teaching of God’s Word concerning the final judgment of the unbelieving and the unrepentant.
SUMMARY
I write chiefly as a Christian who upholds the authority of Scripture and orthodoxy, but also as a pastor critiquing the work of a former pastor who has clearly lost his way. I urge readers to turn away from the folly in Hell Bent and find refuge in a God who is altogether holy; a God who sent his Son to live the life that sinful creatures could never live and die a death they all deserve to die. Flee to the Savior for eternal life!
The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. (Rev. 22:17)
The author’s primary concern is to convince readers that hell, as conceived of for hundreds of years of church history and by evangelical Christians, is a myth. Unlike contemporary annihilationists, who believe in hell but reject conscious eternal torment, Mr. Recker repudiates the notion of hell altogether. Recker writes, “Hell — with the fear it inspires, the exclusivity it demands, the judgment it promotes, and the punitive God it portrays — corrupts Christian spirituality.” Questioning and rethinking the doctrine of hell led the author down his own path of deconstruction, which, in his words, is “the term used by a growing movement of people who have begun to investigate the premises of their faith with new eyes.” Recker makes his goal clear at the outset: “I deeply hope that Christians – and everyone else – reject the doctrine of hell.”
But readers will get more than they bargained for in Hell Bent. Brian Recker not only abandons the doctrine of hell (including conscious eternal torment), he also rejects the doctrine of original sin, the inerrancy of Scripture, and penal substitutionary atonement. Additionally, he rejects the gospel as it is presented in Scripture and opts for a social justice model and, not surprisingly, embraces universalism, the idea that all people will be reconciled to God, in the final analysis. To make matters worse, the author affirms the LGBTQ movement, promotes liberation theology (commending authors like James Cone and Margus Borg) and progressive Christianity (commending authors like Richard Rohr and Paul Tillich). Instead of seeing sinners who need to be reconciled to God and redeemed by the blood of Christ, he promotes what he calls, healthy spirituality, defined as “getting in touch with your divine self.” “Whatever makes me feel connected to myself, to God, and to others,” writes Recker, “this is spiritual for me.”
Hell Bent presents another gospel. In the words of the author, “The gospel – the good news – is that you are already fully loved and accepted … Salvation is just a way of describing the moment we come to know and believe that we are already loved, that we have always been loved.” Recker writes, “Hell makes it very hard to believe in our belovedness. The terrifying consequences of our supposed innate wickedness do not leave room for the possibility that God may actually rejoice over us, exactly as we are … God is not going to damn you, especially not for being the way God created you.”
While the author rejects the historical and biblical teaching concerning hell, he posits a cavalier view of hell, which is essentially the hell we create for ourselves. Recker writes, “Hell is real, but it’s not a place. Hell is a metaphor, and as a metaphor, it’s as real as anything.” Commenting on Matthew 25:45-46, where Jesus warns the unrepentant of “going away into eternal punishment,” Recker argues, “Jesus is warning us that when we neglect vulnerable, marginalized people, we create hell for ourselves and for other people.” He continues, “Hell is the natural consequence of our actions, not punishment from God. God does not punish sin in the way we punish each other. Sin is its own punishment.” He approvingly cites the Franciscan priest, Richard Rohr: “We are punished not for our sins, but by our sins.”
Even though Mr. Recker repudiates some fundamental doctrines of historical Christianity, he still professes to be a Christian. He affirms, “Although I’m a Christian, I do not believe it’s essential for people to become Christians to experience healthy spirituality or be connected to God.” He continues, “Jesus invites everyone to a banquet, and the very nature of hell is refusing to join the party.” As one who rejects the doctrine of original sin, he views everyone as “clean.” He argues, “Hell is what happens when we fail to recognize our connection to each other.”
Evaluation
Hell Bent is a complete recasting and reformulation of Scripture. The author picks and chooses the doctrines he likes and abandons the doctrines that fail to meet his personal criteria. The reasons below highlight why I cannot commend this book to any serious-minded follower of Christ.
A flawed view of God
A. W. Tozer says, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” The god in Hell Bent is only loving and never judging. He is presented as “a universal Spirit who does not have genitals.” This god excuses sin and tolerates sinful creatures. Or, in the words of the author, “The advance of the LGBTQ rights is another libertine move of the Spirit.”
Tozer adds, “Wrong ideas about God are not only the fountain from which the polluted waters of idolatry flow; they are themselves idolatrous. The idolater simply imagines things about God and acts as if they were true.”
Hell Bent is packed with wrong ideas about God; ideas that will lead the unsuspecting reader down a pathway of idolatry.
A false gospel
Hell Bent promotes a false gospel that bears no resemblance to the gospel that Jesus and the apostles preached. This is not the first time a false gospel has appeared on the scene. The apostle Paul wrote to the Galatian church, “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel — not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.” (Gal. 1:6-7). Paul warned the young pastor, Timothy, to beware of such erroneous theology: “Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers; rather, they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved. Teach and urge these things. If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain” (1 Timothy 6:2b-5).
One of the glaring errors in Hell Bent is the watering down and minimizing of Christ’s cross. The author writes, “The cross shows me what God is like: love, all the way down. A never-stopping love, for the victims and the perpetrators. This is a God who would rather suffer loss for their enemies than punish them … The good news is, God’s presence with you and love for you are not dependent on what you believe about the cross. The cross itself shows us that you couldn’t break free from God’s love if you tried.” This is a far cry from John 3:36 – “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.” Or as Romans 2:5-8 says, “But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury.”
A fatal theology
While Hell Bent advances so-called spirituality, these pages are nothing more than a left-leaning progressive theology that advances inclusivity and syncretism. Such ideals appeal to many people these days, but the words of Proverbs 16:25 remind us, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.”
A futile attempt to debunk the doctrine of eternal conscious torment
Recker maintains (as the subtitle suggests) that “the fear of hell holds Christians back from a spirituality of love.” However, he never proves his case for the abolition of hell. While valiant in his attempt, the case against hell is weak at best and fails to uphold the teaching of God’s Word concerning the final judgment of the unbelieving and the unrepentant.
SUMMARY
I write chiefly as a Christian who upholds the authority of Scripture and orthodoxy, but also as a pastor critiquing the work of a former pastor who has clearly lost his way. I urge readers to turn away from the folly in Hell Bent and find refuge in a God who is altogether holy; a God who sent his Son to live the life that sinful creatures could never live and die a death they all deserve to die. Flee to the Savior for eternal life!
The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. (Rev. 22:17)
September 30, 2025
How might your faith be different if it were not based around fear?
What if you could think of God as the overflowing source of love in your life, because nobody told you God was like an abusive parent who would punish you for questioning, doubting, or backsliding?
What if you felt like you could love yourself, because nobody told you that you were born broken and stained and deserving of punishment?
What if you felt like you could “follow your heart,” because nobody told you that your heart was full of fleshly desires and “deceitful above all things?”
What if you felt like you could love the people around you as people rather than see them as projects, because nobody told you that your neighbors’ happiness forever depended on whether or not you could convince them to mentally assent to your sect’s specific doctrinal beliefs?
What might your faith look like if almost every aspect of it wasn’t, sometimes quietly and sometimes loudly, bent around hell?
And what if somebody told you that the biblical case for hell isn’t as strong as you think it is?
Brian Recker’s book Hell Bent: How the Fear of Hell Holds Christians Back from a Spirituality of Love seeks to offer answers to these questions (and many more). With his refreshingly down-to-earth voice, Recker provides example after example for how the evangelical conceptions of hell, sin, and salvation have twisted into a fear-inducing need for eternal fire insurance and that this doctrine has borne sickly, bruising fruit. Christians hate or fear God, hate or fear ourselves, and hate or fear our neighbors.
He then methodically, yet deftly re-examines the Scriptures that underpin our fire and brimstone understandings to make plain a reading that might rattle the evangelical but which is actually as old as the Scriptures themselves. Hell is real and it is here on Earth. It is the suffering and pain and oppression and hunger and loneliness the Christ called his people to go out into the world and alleviate. The wages of sin are paid out to us not on a cosmic ledger, but daily: in the disconnection, hurt, and anguish that come with rejection of love. Finally, if God is all in all, and if he will ultimately “reconcile to himself all things” then “all things” must mean more than the minority of humans who are Christians.
The last part of the book engages seriously with what this sort of reframing means for the most important tenets of the Christian religion. If there is no hell, if it wasn’t to save us from that place, then why did Christ live? Why did he die Why was he resurrected? It is because God is with the oppressed and with those who would speak out for their liberation. With them in the darkest depths of their suffering. And ultimately triumphant over it all.
Most importantly, Recker goes on to unpack what this can mean. Freedom from hell might be cool water on our tongues, but it’s less meaningful if it does not free us TO something and Recker explicates that beautifully. It would mean a church that is radically loving and accepting of other people without preconditions. It would mean a church deeply invested in justice and righteousness in this world, and a rejection of the notion that such things don’t matter because ‘it’s all going to burn anyway.”
I expect that this book could make waves in 2025 the way that Rob Bell’s Love Wins did in 2011. I imagine it could spawn its own cottage industry of response articles and (new since 2011) Tiktok responses. But I implore anyone even remotely curious to give it a read. Though written in a (refreshingly) irreverent voice, I found it to be deeply considered and presented honestly. This is not a book that threatens to lead you astray, it is a book that threatens to free you to love.
In the terms I started this review with:
What are you afraid of?
What if you could think of God as the overflowing source of love in your life, because nobody told you God was like an abusive parent who would punish you for questioning, doubting, or backsliding?
What if you felt like you could love yourself, because nobody told you that you were born broken and stained and deserving of punishment?
What if you felt like you could “follow your heart,” because nobody told you that your heart was full of fleshly desires and “deceitful above all things?”
What if you felt like you could love the people around you as people rather than see them as projects, because nobody told you that your neighbors’ happiness forever depended on whether or not you could convince them to mentally assent to your sect’s specific doctrinal beliefs?
What might your faith look like if almost every aspect of it wasn’t, sometimes quietly and sometimes loudly, bent around hell?
And what if somebody told you that the biblical case for hell isn’t as strong as you think it is?
Brian Recker’s book Hell Bent: How the Fear of Hell Holds Christians Back from a Spirituality of Love seeks to offer answers to these questions (and many more). With his refreshingly down-to-earth voice, Recker provides example after example for how the evangelical conceptions of hell, sin, and salvation have twisted into a fear-inducing need for eternal fire insurance and that this doctrine has borne sickly, bruising fruit. Christians hate or fear God, hate or fear ourselves, and hate or fear our neighbors.
He then methodically, yet deftly re-examines the Scriptures that underpin our fire and brimstone understandings to make plain a reading that might rattle the evangelical but which is actually as old as the Scriptures themselves. Hell is real and it is here on Earth. It is the suffering and pain and oppression and hunger and loneliness the Christ called his people to go out into the world and alleviate. The wages of sin are paid out to us not on a cosmic ledger, but daily: in the disconnection, hurt, and anguish that come with rejection of love. Finally, if God is all in all, and if he will ultimately “reconcile to himself all things” then “all things” must mean more than the minority of humans who are Christians.
The last part of the book engages seriously with what this sort of reframing means for the most important tenets of the Christian religion. If there is no hell, if it wasn’t to save us from that place, then why did Christ live? Why did he die Why was he resurrected? It is because God is with the oppressed and with those who would speak out for their liberation. With them in the darkest depths of their suffering. And ultimately triumphant over it all.
Most importantly, Recker goes on to unpack what this can mean. Freedom from hell might be cool water on our tongues, but it’s less meaningful if it does not free us TO something and Recker explicates that beautifully. It would mean a church that is radically loving and accepting of other people without preconditions. It would mean a church deeply invested in justice and righteousness in this world, and a rejection of the notion that such things don’t matter because ‘it’s all going to burn anyway.”
I expect that this book could make waves in 2025 the way that Rob Bell’s Love Wins did in 2011. I imagine it could spawn its own cottage industry of response articles and (new since 2011) Tiktok responses. But I implore anyone even remotely curious to give it a read. Though written in a (refreshingly) irreverent voice, I found it to be deeply considered and presented honestly. This is not a book that threatens to lead you astray, it is a book that threatens to free you to love.
In the terms I started this review with:
What are you afraid of?
January 15, 2026
I enjoyed this book because it made me face my faith in a way I hadn’t before. Well, I kind of had to read this book regardless because Brian’s instagram post about hell actually sent me in a full spiral of my 29 year old faith and completely disoriented me and out of panic, I read this. It brought up a lot of the questions that came out of my spiral of my faith, which I appreciated. Some of the questions even followed with the same follow up questions I had.
Did I agree with everything Brian said…no. Honestly the more I read the Bible, the more I disagree with his perception of Jesus. However, I am totally open to the concept of universalism and I pray that Christians try to build the kingdom here on earth and not just wait for eternity. However he made some sweeping, broad statements that made me think…I’m not really sure what is connecting him to Christianity anymore? To be fair to him, he did explain why. Maybe I am just uncomfortable because I am working through my own deconstruction and reconstruction. Maybe it’s because it didn’t feel substantial enough amongst the controversy of this topic.
I do feel more comfortable knowing that I am building a faith out of knowing God is good and full of love, and his Kingdom is worthy rather than my faith being based on a get out of hell free card.
Definitely a good read, but also a very difficult one if you aren’t prepared to completely analyze everything you’ve ever believed.
Did I agree with everything Brian said…no. Honestly the more I read the Bible, the more I disagree with his perception of Jesus. However, I am totally open to the concept of universalism and I pray that Christians try to build the kingdom here on earth and not just wait for eternity. However he made some sweeping, broad statements that made me think…I’m not really sure what is connecting him to Christianity anymore? To be fair to him, he did explain why. Maybe I am just uncomfortable because I am working through my own deconstruction and reconstruction. Maybe it’s because it didn’t feel substantial enough amongst the controversy of this topic.
I do feel more comfortable knowing that I am building a faith out of knowing God is good and full of love, and his Kingdom is worthy rather than my faith being based on a get out of hell free card.
Definitely a good read, but also a very difficult one if you aren’t prepared to completely analyze everything you’ve ever believed.
January 1, 2026
God is a perfect giver of gifts to His children, and any consequences that need to be meted out are meant to be restorative, not retributive. I believe this is one of Recker's main points, which gives hope and direction to all, from the devout Christian to the dedicated atheist and everyone in between.
As a left-leaning member of the LDS church, there is always a bit of dissonance I grapple with in regard to the whole “faith versus works” argument (among other things). This book helps me give words to my feelings and reaffirms my commitment to love God and love my neighbor more fully. One of the last statements made in the book: "As we consider what the purpose of Christian spirituality is if it's not to avoid punishment, I submit it is this: to be transformed individually and communally into people of love."
While I’ve come to terms with and moved past the guilt, shame, and fear of kindling God’s displeasure that I so keenly felt when I was young, the themes in this book are still good reminders and offer hope even in dark times.
I’m not sure I agree with all the author's positions, but I sincerely appreciate his views, and I’m compelled to be more open and curious than I was before, which, I suppose, is a success in and of itself.
As a left-leaning member of the LDS church, there is always a bit of dissonance I grapple with in regard to the whole “faith versus works” argument (among other things). This book helps me give words to my feelings and reaffirms my commitment to love God and love my neighbor more fully. One of the last statements made in the book: "As we consider what the purpose of Christian spirituality is if it's not to avoid punishment, I submit it is this: to be transformed individually and communally into people of love."
While I’ve come to terms with and moved past the guilt, shame, and fear of kindling God’s displeasure that I so keenly felt when I was young, the themes in this book are still good reminders and offer hope even in dark times.
I’m not sure I agree with all the author's positions, but I sincerely appreciate his views, and I’m compelled to be more open and curious than I was before, which, I suppose, is a success in and of itself.
November 15, 2025
This makes me not hate the idea of Christianity which is cool. Hey, maybe it has nothing to do with believing the right thing?? What if you were already loved by Love itself? What if we all were?? What if you didn’t have to fear… well… idk… eternity in torment for not “accepting Jesus into your heart”?
Anyways, this was refreshing and makes me want to love on people freely and openly. What a crazy idea!
Anyways, this was refreshing and makes me want to love on people freely and openly. What a crazy idea!
November 5, 2025
A friend told me he remembers the first time he heard about hell. He was in Sunday school, and he was astonished. He looked around him at the adult faces, stunned. Did they really believe this, or were they all lying?
Turns out they were not lying.
I wonder what that would be like, to remember the first time you heard about hell. My children won't be so protected; we've heard half a dozen hell sermons over the past several years, and I fear it is partly my fault, pastors endeavoring to refute the by-some-unheard-of hope I've expressed, in the final restoration of all things. Curt Parton (https://youtu.be/HHaIwI3Bcp4) says there's nothing to fear from eternal-conscious-torment defensiveness; it's as likely to unconvince as to convince. (Indeed, another of my friends read Erasing Hell and dropped her belief in ECT in favor of conditionalism.) But still—to raise a child without knowledge of hell?! I hope someone somewhere is doing it.
When my second-grader comes home from school saying this person or that person will go to hell, I tell her we can't know who will go there, but what is the most important thing to know about hell? She answers correctly: God is there.
Just this past weekend, we attended a church in another state, and the deacon invited us all to read Psalm 136 together, aloud. Five minutes after we had ALL said, twenty-six times, "His mercy endureth forever," the deacon clarified: "Someday His mercy will come to an end."
Everyone sat in serene silence.
For the record, folks: Only His wrath is finite. See Rev. 15:1.
Brian Recker won't be raising his children without knowledge of hell. He wrote a book about it. In it, he describes hell in the same way I have described feeling the presence of hell in my childhood—as a deep dark pit that could never quite leave my consciousness. It was the One Worst Thing Ever That Could Happen to You. And when it's the One Worst Thing, truly no holds are barred, no effort, no anger, no fear is too great to yield to, in persuading children to avoid it.
Based on this premise, I appreciate Recker's intentions in writing this book. He connects the fear of hell to any number of evils in present-day Christendom. I think he's right in this matter.
My chief discomfort—though not my only one; I was also uneasy with his wholesale hero-worship of MLK—with Recker's book is that he repeatedly states that there is no hell. And I don't think it is possible to say, definitively, from Scripture or from experience, that there is no postmortem hell (whether literal or metaphorical, who knows? But GOD IS THERE). To say "there is no hell" seems to me in some ways as dogmatic (though perhaps not as dangerous) as to say "hell has no end."
That being said, I admired the spirit in which Brian wrote of those who have wronged him. That covered a multitude of ills for me. And while I don't see this book being in any way appealing to those in my own circles—like ECT apologetics for someone like Parton, they would not find it a strong argument, and would be as liable to be More Fully Persuaded in the verity of their own beliefs—I trust it will be healing to a certain demographic also scarred by the discovery that the adults around them are, crushingly, not lying when they speak of hell.
Turns out they were not lying.
I wonder what that would be like, to remember the first time you heard about hell. My children won't be so protected; we've heard half a dozen hell sermons over the past several years, and I fear it is partly my fault, pastors endeavoring to refute the by-some-unheard-of hope I've expressed, in the final restoration of all things. Curt Parton (https://youtu.be/HHaIwI3Bcp4) says there's nothing to fear from eternal-conscious-torment defensiveness; it's as likely to unconvince as to convince. (Indeed, another of my friends read Erasing Hell and dropped her belief in ECT in favor of conditionalism.) But still—to raise a child without knowledge of hell?! I hope someone somewhere is doing it.
When my second-grader comes home from school saying this person or that person will go to hell, I tell her we can't know who will go there, but what is the most important thing to know about hell? She answers correctly: God is there.
Just this past weekend, we attended a church in another state, and the deacon invited us all to read Psalm 136 together, aloud. Five minutes after we had ALL said, twenty-six times, "His mercy endureth forever," the deacon clarified: "Someday His mercy will come to an end."
Everyone sat in serene silence.
For the record, folks: Only His wrath is finite. See Rev. 15:1.
Brian Recker won't be raising his children without knowledge of hell. He wrote a book about it. In it, he describes hell in the same way I have described feeling the presence of hell in my childhood—as a deep dark pit that could never quite leave my consciousness. It was the One Worst Thing Ever That Could Happen to You. And when it's the One Worst Thing, truly no holds are barred, no effort, no anger, no fear is too great to yield to, in persuading children to avoid it.
Based on this premise, I appreciate Recker's intentions in writing this book. He connects the fear of hell to any number of evils in present-day Christendom. I think he's right in this matter.
My chief discomfort—though not my only one; I was also uneasy with his wholesale hero-worship of MLK—with Recker's book is that he repeatedly states that there is no hell. And I don't think it is possible to say, definitively, from Scripture or from experience, that there is no postmortem hell (whether literal or metaphorical, who knows? But GOD IS THERE). To say "there is no hell" seems to me in some ways as dogmatic (though perhaps not as dangerous) as to say "hell has no end."
That being said, I admired the spirit in which Brian wrote of those who have wronged him. That covered a multitude of ills for me. And while I don't see this book being in any way appealing to those in my own circles—like ECT apologetics for someone like Parton, they would not find it a strong argument, and would be as liable to be More Fully Persuaded in the verity of their own beliefs—I trust it will be healing to a certain demographic also scarred by the discovery that the adults around them are, crushingly, not lying when they speak of hell.
November 10, 2025
This was by far one of the most interesting books I’ve read (audiobook). Still navigating what I agree & disagree with, but either way this book lead me to a deeper relationship with Jesus by reminding me of His love- Ephesians 3. It also opened up A LOT of questions & helps me understand other peoples perspectives (which I think is what Brian Reckers desire was from this)
December 10, 2025
i’ll start this by saying this isn’t my typical type of book and i’m not religious. didn’t grow up super religious or anything but this was absolutely incredible. BR was incredible and came with receipts aka verses. highly recommend this to anyone regardless of religious beliefs or affiliation.
October 22, 2025
I am SURE that evangelicals are already mad about this book. Still worth it.
My library got the audiobook before the ebook on Libby, so that's what I read. Audio is read by the author, and you can definitely hear his passion.
I grew up nondenom/SBC, and Recker was a little more fundie, I think IFB? So while I related to some of the fear-based theology stories that he told, I guess I'm thankful to have not been in that depth. Nevertheless, anyone who grew up in evangelicalism or scared of Hell could appreciate this book.
Recker, a former evangelical pastor, talks about his faith journey, what the Bible actually says about Hell, how that impacts the rest of Christian theology (and why people are scared to change), and what faith can look like when you leave the idea of Hell behind. As I just told an exvangelical friend, I haven't read Rob Bell yet, but he does of course also mention that evangelical cancellation early on.
I have said for a while now that I hope that God is more gracious than I was taught, and that I like the idea of Universalism but I'm unsure. I think this book was a helpful introduction to some of the debate among actual theologians and Biblical experts about Hell and eschatology, and I feel better equipped to seek out more books on the subtopics that intrigued me. I also felt that this book fits well with some of the Liberation Theology that I have been reading, though it's obviously not a Liberation Theology book. This is not meant to answer every question, but it's very accessible and introduces the reader to new ideas and writers for deeper study.
In short, I thought this was a helpful introduction to historical contexts and research that I didn't know about, and it addressed an area that I've had discomfort with. I listened in audio so I couldn't see a bibliography, and I think that it would be helpful to check that later for further reading. I think this is a worthy book that can help a lot of exvangelicals think about Jesus in a new, more justice-filled way. Definitely worth the read.
My library got the audiobook before the ebook on Libby, so that's what I read. Audio is read by the author, and you can definitely hear his passion.
I grew up nondenom/SBC, and Recker was a little more fundie, I think IFB? So while I related to some of the fear-based theology stories that he told, I guess I'm thankful to have not been in that depth. Nevertheless, anyone who grew up in evangelicalism or scared of Hell could appreciate this book.
Recker, a former evangelical pastor, talks about his faith journey, what the Bible actually says about Hell, how that impacts the rest of Christian theology (and why people are scared to change), and what faith can look like when you leave the idea of Hell behind. As I just told an exvangelical friend, I haven't read Rob Bell yet, but he does of course also mention that evangelical cancellation early on.
I have said for a while now that I hope that God is more gracious than I was taught, and that I like the idea of Universalism but I'm unsure. I think this book was a helpful introduction to some of the debate among actual theologians and Biblical experts about Hell and eschatology, and I feel better equipped to seek out more books on the subtopics that intrigued me. I also felt that this book fits well with some of the Liberation Theology that I have been reading, though it's obviously not a Liberation Theology book. This is not meant to answer every question, but it's very accessible and introduces the reader to new ideas and writers for deeper study.
In short, I thought this was a helpful introduction to historical contexts and research that I didn't know about, and it addressed an area that I've had discomfort with. I listened in audio so I couldn't see a bibliography, and I think that it would be helpful to check that later for further reading. I think this is a worthy book that can help a lot of exvangelicals think about Jesus in a new, more justice-filled way. Definitely worth the read.
October 20, 2025
Brian Recker’s “Hell Bent” explores the concept of hell, redemption, and the nature of divine justice through a progressive theological lens. The book challenges traditional Christian teachings and invites readers to reconsider long held views about punishment, mercy, and salvation. Recker combines biblical interpretation with personal reflection, presenting a vision of faith that is both questioning and provocative.
The wonderful thing about the Bible is that it’s open to personal interpretation. Theologians can share their perspectives and describe Scripture as they best understand it, and that’s fine. While I agree with some of the ideas Brian presents, the overall tone of Hell Bent feels wildly liberal and, at times, borders on blasphemous. Still, I can appreciate the author’s courage to express his convictions, and some sections genuinely made me pause and think more deeply about complex spiritual topics. Regardless of where you stand politically or spiritually, it’s a decent read that may spark conversation, but for me, it missed the mark in both balance and biblical grounding.
The wonderful thing about the Bible is that it’s open to personal interpretation. Theologians can share their perspectives and describe Scripture as they best understand it, and that’s fine. While I agree with some of the ideas Brian presents, the overall tone of Hell Bent feels wildly liberal and, at times, borders on blasphemous. Still, I can appreciate the author’s courage to express his convictions, and some sections genuinely made me pause and think more deeply about complex spiritual topics. Regardless of where you stand politically or spiritually, it’s a decent read that may spark conversation, but for me, it missed the mark in both balance and biblical grounding.
November 1, 2025
I'm sure this book would trigger a lot of people, but I loved it. A good starter for those interested in further research. What is Christianity, without the threat of hell as a physical place of torment? Some excerpts I would like to return to (forgive my lack of page numbers):
The (modern) traditional view of hell:
"For most Christians, the whole point of Christian spirituality is salvation. Salvation from what? Salvation from hell. If you remove hell, there is no punishment to be saved from. For many people, that defeats the entire purpose of religion and spirituality. If you discard hell, the whole Christian story must be reconsidered."
"The sense of guilt I would feel during sermons like this was such a familiar sensation in church that, from a young age, I associated that feeling with true spirituality. In other words, I felt at my most spiritual when I was taking hell the most seriously."
Regarding the cognitive dissonance required to carry this concept of hell and a condemning god: "Unless you wanted to be very weird socially, you had to compartmentalize it...I believe that most evangelicals would prefer to avoid preaching to others about hell not because it's awkward or because their faith is weak but because they intuitively know it is a wicked doctrine that does not reflect the love of God."
Later, he says, "No amount of theological mental gymnastics can make fear and love coexist...Jesus, who commands us to love our enemies and do good for those who harm us (Luke 6:27). How nonsensical would it be if God didn't take God's own advice?"
What is the effect of this hell doctrine?
"For example, evangelicals often speak of good deeds like caring for the poor as a distraction from the 'main thing.' After all, no earthly justice is as important as keeping people out of hell. What good is feeding the hungry if we don't save their souls?" I heard this all the time!!
"This focus on hell doesn't just make conservative evangelicals ignore social welfare; it frequently causes them to actively oppose it…One of the hallmarks of toxic theology is that it causes you to reason yourself out of doing obviously good things for people in the name of your theology…The most unloving beliefs could be called loving when they were done in the name of saving people from hell."
Whenever something bad happens on Earth, the "vague platitudes" like "remember where your citizenship lies" piss me off, because they "actually enable oppression by failing to confront it directly and minimizing the importance of our earthly involvement."
If someone dares to question the doctrines: "For all their bemoaning of 'cancel culture,' nobody knows how to execute swift judgement on dissenting opinions quite like evangelicals."
So if hell isn't a physical place, what then?
"If hell is real, then it's true that this world doesn't matter very much. The suffering of the world is but the blink of an eye compared to everlasting torment. Our lives in this world are a blip compared to eternity. If there is an eternal hell for the unsaved, then the only valuable purpose of this life is to be 'saved' to avoid such a fate. This is slaveholder logic, and it has justified every possible evil under the sun...But this life is not about escaping hell. There is no hell to escape except the hells we create for ourselves and for others."
So then why did Jesus die?
He didn't just die, "[he] was an executed enemy of the state...If Jesus only died as a substitute for God's punishment against sin, then Jesus did not have to be killed as a political agitator fighting for a better world…If we fail to acknowledge the political connotations of Jesus's death, then we hamstring his message."
"(It remains unclear to me why Jesus's payment only works if we believe in it, since the Bible says repeatedly that Jesus died for the sins of the whole world)"
Regarding the Eastern Orthodox belief of the "harrowing of hell," that when Jesus died and descended into hell, he lead out all of the souls who had repented:
"you will still find images of Jesus entering hell and leading out a train of captives, in a kind of transcendental prison break. Evangelicals, however, rarely discuss this doctrine, because it implies that salvation is something that can happen after death, which defies their core assumptions about salvation. If Jesus could deliver souls from hell once, then why couldn't the love of God continue to liberate souls after death, eventually drawing all people into the love of God?"
So then what is hell, if not a physical place?
"Hell is what happens when we fail to recognize our connection to each other."
The (modern) traditional view of hell:
"For most Christians, the whole point of Christian spirituality is salvation. Salvation from what? Salvation from hell. If you remove hell, there is no punishment to be saved from. For many people, that defeats the entire purpose of religion and spirituality. If you discard hell, the whole Christian story must be reconsidered."
"The sense of guilt I would feel during sermons like this was such a familiar sensation in church that, from a young age, I associated that feeling with true spirituality. In other words, I felt at my most spiritual when I was taking hell the most seriously."
Regarding the cognitive dissonance required to carry this concept of hell and a condemning god: "Unless you wanted to be very weird socially, you had to compartmentalize it...I believe that most evangelicals would prefer to avoid preaching to others about hell not because it's awkward or because their faith is weak but because they intuitively know it is a wicked doctrine that does not reflect the love of God."
Later, he says, "No amount of theological mental gymnastics can make fear and love coexist...Jesus, who commands us to love our enemies and do good for those who harm us (Luke 6:27). How nonsensical would it be if God didn't take God's own advice?"
What is the effect of this hell doctrine?
"For example, evangelicals often speak of good deeds like caring for the poor as a distraction from the 'main thing.' After all, no earthly justice is as important as keeping people out of hell. What good is feeding the hungry if we don't save their souls?" I heard this all the time!!
"This focus on hell doesn't just make conservative evangelicals ignore social welfare; it frequently causes them to actively oppose it…One of the hallmarks of toxic theology is that it causes you to reason yourself out of doing obviously good things for people in the name of your theology…The most unloving beliefs could be called loving when they were done in the name of saving people from hell."
Whenever something bad happens on Earth, the "vague platitudes" like "remember where your citizenship lies" piss me off, because they "actually enable oppression by failing to confront it directly and minimizing the importance of our earthly involvement."
If someone dares to question the doctrines: "For all their bemoaning of 'cancel culture,' nobody knows how to execute swift judgement on dissenting opinions quite like evangelicals."
So if hell isn't a physical place, what then?
"If hell is real, then it's true that this world doesn't matter very much. The suffering of the world is but the blink of an eye compared to everlasting torment. Our lives in this world are a blip compared to eternity. If there is an eternal hell for the unsaved, then the only valuable purpose of this life is to be 'saved' to avoid such a fate. This is slaveholder logic, and it has justified every possible evil under the sun...But this life is not about escaping hell. There is no hell to escape except the hells we create for ourselves and for others."
So then why did Jesus die?
He didn't just die, "[he] was an executed enemy of the state...If Jesus only died as a substitute for God's punishment against sin, then Jesus did not have to be killed as a political agitator fighting for a better world…If we fail to acknowledge the political connotations of Jesus's death, then we hamstring his message."
"(It remains unclear to me why Jesus's payment only works if we believe in it, since the Bible says repeatedly that Jesus died for the sins of the whole world)"
Regarding the Eastern Orthodox belief of the "harrowing of hell," that when Jesus died and descended into hell, he lead out all of the souls who had repented:
"you will still find images of Jesus entering hell and leading out a train of captives, in a kind of transcendental prison break. Evangelicals, however, rarely discuss this doctrine, because it implies that salvation is something that can happen after death, which defies their core assumptions about salvation. If Jesus could deliver souls from hell once, then why couldn't the love of God continue to liberate souls after death, eventually drawing all people into the love of God?"
So then what is hell, if not a physical place?
"Hell is what happens when we fail to recognize our connection to each other."
October 31, 2025
Brian Recker lives in Raleigh and I was able to attend his book event at Quail Ridge Books on publication day. I loved getting to hear him share more about his experiences of deconstructing the beliefs he was raised with as he grew up in a fundamentalist sect of Christianity, centered around the threat of eternal conscious torment in hell. Seeing someone reclaim the truth of God’s love from such damaging theology is always so encouraging and inspiring.
“Salvation is not about choosing the right theological beliefs to avoid hell. It's about recognizing the goodness and divinity in the despised "other" and joining in on the party God is throwing, where everybody is invited. Jesus never tells people they need to change their doctrine or convert to another religion in order to be saved from hell. Jesus doesn't defend theology, he defends the humanity of the vulnerable and the marginal. Jesus doesn't explain the one correct statement of faith to his disciples; he meets real human needs, while calling out religious leaders for the hypocrisy of caring more about dogma than justice and mercy.”
***
“So many Christians, especially evangelicals, tend to make the Bible about the afterlife, which causes them to interpret everything Jesus said to be about heaven or hell. But really, the Bible is about this life. The narrow gate isn't about going to heaven, and the wide gate isn't about going to hell. It's about treating people in this world the way we would want to be treated. We want health care for ourselves and our loved ones, so we should want everyone to have health care. We wouldn't want bombs dropping on our babies, so we should demand that our country stop dropping bombs on other people's babies. This difficult practice of solidarity and love—love for oneself, one's neighbors, and even one's enemies—leads to life: the wholeness and flourishing of the beloved community.
“This is a narrow way; few there are that find it. It is easier to look out for "me and mine." Self-preservation and tribalism come naturally to us. Empathy is harder. The wide gate—the way of empires, the way of power, the way of "othering" and oppression—leads to a languishing downward spiral of violence and dehumanization. Jesus isn't talking about hell; he's talking about a world without love, without empathy and solidarity. Hell on earth. That is the meaning of Gehenna.”
***
“So let us not spiritualize Jesus's words into vague threats of a fiery afterlife. Let us hear them as the urgent wake-up call they are: to see the hells around us, and within us, and commit to the hard work of repentance and repair; to build a world where "the least of these" can flourish and where God's love and justice are known on earth, as they are in heaven.
“The alternative is hell.”
***
“This evolution of our understanding of God is always moving from judgment toward mercy, from exclusion toward reconciliation. In many ancient scriptures, God seems to be a tribal God. Yahweh, the God of Israel, is pitted against the gods of other nations: our god versus theirs. But that is not the final picture of God. This view is repudiated by the prophets of the Hebrew Bible, and the coming of Jesus pushes the narrative even further toward universalism. In 1 John, one of the latest written books of the Bible, we finally get the majestic definition that "God is love." There is nothing more universal than love; it is the inheritance of all people, and it's where the story is heading.
For everybody.”
***
“Crucifying people isn't what God does; it's what the rulers of this world do. By putting Jesus on the cross, the powers of domination said an emphatic no to the kingdom of God They say no to inclusion for all people, no to centering the marginalized, no to valuing people over religious dogmas, and no to lifting up the poor and letting the last be first. They said no to liberation.
“But the cross is not the end of the story. Three days later, an empty tomb vindicated the mission of Jesus. Because no matter what the Roman Empire said about Jesus's mission, God said yes. Living the way of Jesus may not lead to success under the powers of this world, but the resurrection is God's stamp of approval that the way Jesus lived is the way God wants us all to live. The struggle for liberation may lead to a cross, but God vindicates that way of love with an empty tomb. The world puts love to death, but God raises the dead. This is a powerful reminder for those of us joining the fight for a better world.”
***
“On the cross, Jesus went through hell—not in the sense that he was punished in our place so that God isn't forced to punish us, but in the sense that Jesus did not sow the seeds of hell, but he reaped hell anyway. He reaped the violence that other people sowed. That's how he died for our sin. His life of love reveals where our hateful actions lead, and when we see this, and when we are moved by it, we have the opportunity to be transformed by this vision of love and called to a better way. We can be saved…
“The cross shows me what God wants: liberation. The cross reminds me that God is with the movement of the kingdom of God, and that wherever we struggle for justice against the forces of domination, God is with us, even when the odds are against us.
“The cross shows me what God can do: God can redeem even the darkest sorrows. A vision of the cross can give me hope that God is at work in my suffering. God is not the author of evil, but God can wring good out of bad.
“The cross shows me what God is like: love, all the way down. A never-stopping love, for the victims and the perpetrators. This is a God who would rather suffer for their enemies than punish them.
“The cross shows me who God is with: the marginalized, the scapegoats of history, the suffering ones. And God invites me to join Jesus there…
“The good news is, God's presence with you and love for you are not dependent on what you believe about the cross. The cross itself shows us that you couldn't break free from God's love if you tried.”
“Salvation is not about choosing the right theological beliefs to avoid hell. It's about recognizing the goodness and divinity in the despised "other" and joining in on the party God is throwing, where everybody is invited. Jesus never tells people they need to change their doctrine or convert to another religion in order to be saved from hell. Jesus doesn't defend theology, he defends the humanity of the vulnerable and the marginal. Jesus doesn't explain the one correct statement of faith to his disciples; he meets real human needs, while calling out religious leaders for the hypocrisy of caring more about dogma than justice and mercy.”
***
“So many Christians, especially evangelicals, tend to make the Bible about the afterlife, which causes them to interpret everything Jesus said to be about heaven or hell. But really, the Bible is about this life. The narrow gate isn't about going to heaven, and the wide gate isn't about going to hell. It's about treating people in this world the way we would want to be treated. We want health care for ourselves and our loved ones, so we should want everyone to have health care. We wouldn't want bombs dropping on our babies, so we should demand that our country stop dropping bombs on other people's babies. This difficult practice of solidarity and love—love for oneself, one's neighbors, and even one's enemies—leads to life: the wholeness and flourishing of the beloved community.
“This is a narrow way; few there are that find it. It is easier to look out for "me and mine." Self-preservation and tribalism come naturally to us. Empathy is harder. The wide gate—the way of empires, the way of power, the way of "othering" and oppression—leads to a languishing downward spiral of violence and dehumanization. Jesus isn't talking about hell; he's talking about a world without love, without empathy and solidarity. Hell on earth. That is the meaning of Gehenna.”
***
“So let us not spiritualize Jesus's words into vague threats of a fiery afterlife. Let us hear them as the urgent wake-up call they are: to see the hells around us, and within us, and commit to the hard work of repentance and repair; to build a world where "the least of these" can flourish and where God's love and justice are known on earth, as they are in heaven.
“The alternative is hell.”
***
“This evolution of our understanding of God is always moving from judgment toward mercy, from exclusion toward reconciliation. In many ancient scriptures, God seems to be a tribal God. Yahweh, the God of Israel, is pitted against the gods of other nations: our god versus theirs. But that is not the final picture of God. This view is repudiated by the prophets of the Hebrew Bible, and the coming of Jesus pushes the narrative even further toward universalism. In 1 John, one of the latest written books of the Bible, we finally get the majestic definition that "God is love." There is nothing more universal than love; it is the inheritance of all people, and it's where the story is heading.
For everybody.”
***
“Crucifying people isn't what God does; it's what the rulers of this world do. By putting Jesus on the cross, the powers of domination said an emphatic no to the kingdom of God They say no to inclusion for all people, no to centering the marginalized, no to valuing people over religious dogmas, and no to lifting up the poor and letting the last be first. They said no to liberation.
“But the cross is not the end of the story. Three days later, an empty tomb vindicated the mission of Jesus. Because no matter what the Roman Empire said about Jesus's mission, God said yes. Living the way of Jesus may not lead to success under the powers of this world, but the resurrection is God's stamp of approval that the way Jesus lived is the way God wants us all to live. The struggle for liberation may lead to a cross, but God vindicates that way of love with an empty tomb. The world puts love to death, but God raises the dead. This is a powerful reminder for those of us joining the fight for a better world.”
***
“On the cross, Jesus went through hell—not in the sense that he was punished in our place so that God isn't forced to punish us, but in the sense that Jesus did not sow the seeds of hell, but he reaped hell anyway. He reaped the violence that other people sowed. That's how he died for our sin. His life of love reveals where our hateful actions lead, and when we see this, and when we are moved by it, we have the opportunity to be transformed by this vision of love and called to a better way. We can be saved…
“The cross shows me what God wants: liberation. The cross reminds me that God is with the movement of the kingdom of God, and that wherever we struggle for justice against the forces of domination, God is with us, even when the odds are against us.
“The cross shows me what God can do: God can redeem even the darkest sorrows. A vision of the cross can give me hope that God is at work in my suffering. God is not the author of evil, but God can wring good out of bad.
“The cross shows me what God is like: love, all the way down. A never-stopping love, for the victims and the perpetrators. This is a God who would rather suffer for their enemies than punish them.
“The cross shows me who God is with: the marginalized, the scapegoats of history, the suffering ones. And God invites me to join Jesus there…
“The good news is, God's presence with you and love for you are not dependent on what you believe about the cross. The cross itself shows us that you couldn't break free from God's love if you tried.”
November 9, 2025
Great stuff! Really love the structure of how the main message is presented. Negatives of fear based spirituality, main arguments against classical hell, the rebuilding a new spirituality of Love in place of the one he just took down.
Agree or disagree with his position of Universalism this book is well written, organized, and is clearly made with a deep love for the reader as well as the heart and message of Jesus.
I absolutely recommend a read, and beyond that allow your heart to be open. God speaks in mysterious ways sometimes and as the Bible makes clear that sometimes is from those we tend to label as outsiders and heretics. And if you find yourself in disagreement still you're bound to have a lot of questions to work on better answers too, and a whole lot of psychological and spiritual work to figure out how to answer his challenges for your own heart.
So reading it is a win/win regardless of if you are convicted or convinced.
Agree or disagree with his position of Universalism this book is well written, organized, and is clearly made with a deep love for the reader as well as the heart and message of Jesus.
I absolutely recommend a read, and beyond that allow your heart to be open. God speaks in mysterious ways sometimes and as the Bible makes clear that sometimes is from those we tend to label as outsiders and heretics. And if you find yourself in disagreement still you're bound to have a lot of questions to work on better answers too, and a whole lot of psychological and spiritual work to figure out how to answer his challenges for your own heart.
So reading it is a win/win regardless of if you are convicted or convinced.
January 4, 2026
I started following Brian Recker on social media a couple years ago. In those days he started each video saying “I’m Brian and I used to be an evangelical pastor.” Since I could say the same, it piqued my interest.
Like this Brian, the first domino to fall in my deconstruction was the realization, first, that I could no longer accept the concept of hell. Next, after some study, came the realization that there isn’t good support for the idea in the Bible either.
This well-written book points out how the doctrine of hell corrupts our faith and argues against it from the Bible. It also answers important questions like “If there is no hell, what does Jesus save us from?” “If there’s no hell, do we have to believe in Jesus?,” and “If there’s no hell, is there a heaven?”
What most inspired me was Brian’s reinterpretation of what being a Christian can be, and what the church—God’s beloved community—might become. As a result, the book is both liberating and inspiring.
Like this Brian, the first domino to fall in my deconstruction was the realization, first, that I could no longer accept the concept of hell. Next, after some study, came the realization that there isn’t good support for the idea in the Bible either.
This well-written book points out how the doctrine of hell corrupts our faith and argues against it from the Bible. It also answers important questions like “If there is no hell, what does Jesus save us from?” “If there’s no hell, do we have to believe in Jesus?,” and “If there’s no hell, is there a heaven?”
What most inspired me was Brian’s reinterpretation of what being a Christian can be, and what the church—God’s beloved community—might become. As a result, the book is both liberating and inspiring.
January 21, 2026
This didn’t quite make me a universalist, but it did offer solid theological grounds for questioning modern Christianity’s obsession with Hell and affirmed the conviction in me that faith is way more about loving God and neighbor than it is about being right about it all and/or avoiding punishment. Grateful for Brian Recker’s writing and advocacy in favor of a more open theology, both in this book and on Instagram.
November 30, 2025
As someone who grew up Christian and very involved in my church community but eventually stepped away from the church when I got older for personal belief reasons, this is the first book I’ve read that aligns so closely with my feelings. Listened to the audiobook which is read by the author, he did a great job but once in a while it felt like I was listening to a sermon. In my opinion he has very grounded and thoughtful conclusions about Christianity and God
January 13, 2026
A 5 star read. I loved the reframing of all the harmful language, enabling readers to keep the language if they wanted to, but with a more loving meaning. Love all the stuff he threw in the bin, too. I’ve already recommended it to all the colleagues I can think of!
Thanks, Brian, for your intellectual honesty, capacity to engage emotionally AND theologically, and openness. Also for those really good IG reels.
Thanks, Brian, for your intellectual honesty, capacity to engage emotionally AND theologically, and openness. Also for those really good IG reels.
October 20, 2025
Wow. Such a powerful and thought-provoking read. Raised in a traditional, hell-focused environment, I’ve long struggled with ideas of eternal damnation and the Christian community, especially since becoming a parent.
This book unpacks deeply rooted beliefs while still being sensitive to those who may want to remain in the faith or those who want to leave. Brian Recker’s insight and compassion shine throughout.
I highly recommend Hell Bent to anyone on their deconstruction journey. It left me feeling affirmed, encouraged, and hopeful. The Christianity Brian describes is one I want to belong to—and one I want to raise my children in.
This book unpacks deeply rooted beliefs while still being sensitive to those who may want to remain in the faith or those who want to leave. Brian Recker’s insight and compassion shine throughout.
I highly recommend Hell Bent to anyone on their deconstruction journey. It left me feeling affirmed, encouraged, and hopeful. The Christianity Brian describes is one I want to belong to—and one I want to raise my children in.
December 3, 2025
No book has been or will be more healing for me than this. I highlighted 92 excerpts. As someone who was raised in fear of all the things that would send me to hell, I’ve spent a years as an adult untangling this manipulation from the loving God I know exists. Brian’s words and explanations of scripture will continue to bring me joy and hope. There are too many evangelicals using God as a weapon to divide us. The book reminded me of all the places I can find spirituality. ❤️🩹
December 26, 2025
This was a remarkable book, as shown by my 132 highlights throughout! This message is so important, healing, and hopeful.
This part near the end summed it all up nicely:
“Many of us are afraid of spiritual communities because we assume they’re all like that. But the way I see it, if a place believes that only they have the answers and everyone else is damned, that’s not a true spiritual community; that is a fundamentalist cult. Superiority, exclusion, and division are exactly the opposite of true spirituality.”
This part near the end summed it all up nicely:
“Many of us are afraid of spiritual communities because we assume they’re all like that. But the way I see it, if a place believes that only they have the answers and everyone else is damned, that’s not a true spiritual community; that is a fundamentalist cult. Superiority, exclusion, and division are exactly the opposite of true spirituality.”
January 11, 2026
I listened to the audiobook. As a former evangelical, it was helpful. I would recommend it to any Christian, or anyone raised evangelical, regardless of your current beliefs. I found it healing.
January 10, 2026
really thought provoking! i love brian recker
October 13, 2025
LOVE LOVE LOVE this book. incredibly compassionate and healing views on hell, spirituality, and love. borrowed the audiobook from the library since it became available first and so glad I listened. it's clear he used to be a charismatic pastor and served him well in the message. will likely purchase so I can read again.
November 19, 2025
This book has changed my life. My walk with Jesus is stronger because of this. Read it!
October 13, 2025
This book was so well done. I listened to the audiobook but will probably get a hard copy of it so I can reread it again. I think I will remember this book as helping to shape by faith as much as books I've read by Richard Rohr and Pete Ens.
October 14, 2025
Very conversational, but also very smart and intriguing. Sometimes I felt like he just kept circling for awhile there before getting to the point, but that’s also just kind of how he talks.
October 28, 2025
I have too many thoughts to leave a cohesive review, so if you know me in real life, read it and let's discuss. I'm a big fan of Richard Rohr, Thomas Merten, Rob Bell, and Pete Enns, who are mentioned quite a bit, so a lot of Recker's ideas in the book aren't new to me. I think we've been reading the same books and listening to the same podcasts, haha. Regardless, I'm able to relate to much of his story. I love the final chapter. It gives me a lot of hope that I will find a spiritual community again one day, if I want.
September 26, 2025
I was able to get an advanced copy of this book and I’m so glad I did! I’ve been working through my deconstruction from evangelicalism for the past two years, and fear of hell is something that’s continued to linger. The only book so far that I’ve been able to find on hell is Heaven and Hell: A History of the Afterlife by Bart D. Ehrman. While Ehrman’s book was good, it was very heavily theological and difficult to understand in places. The thing I most appreciated about Brian Recker’s Hell Bent was that it addressed the concept of hell from an easy to understand perspective, while still bringing in history and theology to back up his points. While Recker is still an active pastor (one who had deconstructed and rebuilt his spiritually), he writes from a compassionate viewpoint that is inclusive of those who have deconstructed, those who are still actively in Christianity, and those who know nothing about it. Recker is a uniquely gifted communicator and this book really showcases that.
You know a book is going to be good when it opens with a quote from David Bowie, and goes on to include quotes, stories, and poems from the likes of Mary Oliver, Thomas Merton, Thich Nhat Hanh, and Richard Rorh. This is the type of spirituality that originally drew me further into my faith, and that I’ve been trying to get back to since leaving the church. Throughout the book he keeps going back to the point that when Jesus talked about “hell” (“Gehenna” in Hebrew), it’s not hell as we currently think about it (eternal punishment for rejecting Jesus), but the consequences for our harmful actions on Earth now. He traces this concept through scripture, but also through history (Augustine, Middle Ages theology, and modern interpretations). He does an excellent job of framing current problems with this concept. In the end he concludes that Christian spirituality is not about trying to avoid punishment, but about transformation. No matter where you are in your spirituality, if you’ve been touched in any way by the doctrine of hell and eternal punishment then this book’s for you!
You know a book is going to be good when it opens with a quote from David Bowie, and goes on to include quotes, stories, and poems from the likes of Mary Oliver, Thomas Merton, Thich Nhat Hanh, and Richard Rorh. This is the type of spirituality that originally drew me further into my faith, and that I’ve been trying to get back to since leaving the church. Throughout the book he keeps going back to the point that when Jesus talked about “hell” (“Gehenna” in Hebrew), it’s not hell as we currently think about it (eternal punishment for rejecting Jesus), but the consequences for our harmful actions on Earth now. He traces this concept through scripture, but also through history (Augustine, Middle Ages theology, and modern interpretations). He does an excellent job of framing current problems with this concept. In the end he concludes that Christian spirituality is not about trying to avoid punishment, but about transformation. No matter where you are in your spirituality, if you’ve been touched in any way by the doctrine of hell and eternal punishment then this book’s for you!
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