What do you think?
Rate this book
Hellrazed?
In September 2012, the feature-length documentary Hellbound? was released in theaters across North America. Joining a growing chorus of voices that were questioning the traditional view of hell as a place of eternal conscious torment, the film asked a handful of “burning” questions. Does hell exist? If so, who goes there, and why? More importantly, what do our views about hell say about us and our understanding of God? And how do our beliefs about these issues affect the kind of world we create, the kind of people we become?Five years later, the debate over hell is far from settled, but the landscape in which such questions are being asked has changed radically. Hence, filmmaker Kevin Miller decided it was time to go back to some of the people who appear in Hellbound? and others he met along the way to get their input on how the debate has shifted and how it’s remained the same. The result is a plethora of voices offering all sorts of perspectives, some highly academic, some polemic, some intensely personal, and all bound to impact how readers think and feel about this issue.
- GenresReligion
220 pages, Paperback
Published October 26, 2017
2 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
About the author
Kevin Miller
36 books47 followersKevin is an award-winning author, and filmmaker. His debut novel, "Up the Creek," topped Amazon.com's Canadian literature best-seller list for over 17 weeks. Kevin has been involved in over a dozen films in various capacities, and as a writer, editor, co-writer, and contributor, he's been involved in too many books to count. Kevin has been featured on CBC Radio, CNN, and numerous other radio and TV outlets and podcasts. His work has his been written about and reviewed in dozens of publications, including the New York Times, Variety, and the Globe and Mail. Raised on a farm outside of Foam Lake, Saskatchewan, Kevin still thinks the prairies are the best place to be, but the mountains are a close second. He currently makes his home in Kimberley, BC, with his wife and four kids. Learn more about Kevin at www.kevinmillerxi.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
February 9, 2020
Is it possible that these 25 authors will end up in hell for simply NOT believing in a torturous Hell? Mostly Yes. But "torturous" needs to be defined Biblically - as does Hell.
I was thinking back to when I first heard about hell? It wasn't really in church. I almost never heard hell mentioned in church... weird eh? Still don't. Mostly it was waved about in cartoons or glorified in Rock music or Hollywood movies. I do recall Troopers "Raise a little hell" tune. Or AC/DC's "Hell ain't a bad place to be". or maybe even Pat Benatar's "Hell is for children". I even recall that Drunken adult know-it-all ( in the baseball park back when I was 13) who proudly boasted that hell is going to be an eternal debaucherous Orgy of desires and goodtimes with no consequences. Thinking of that: I am curious how many times Homer Simpson has been in hell? Probably a few. I also look back fondly on my Ghostrider comic books, bit of a hellish tale there.
But that seems to be the real problem: people aren't getting their hell from the Bible. And what IS IN THE Bible is mostly being ignored or twisted.
Indeed, the doctrine of eternal torment is only a small piece of many people's eternal problems. Like those Golden Calf worshiping Israelites: many have the wrong Jesus. And most progressive liberals (like these 25 authors) actually hate the Jesus/God of the Bible. I almost hesitate to show them this verse: It might make their heads explode
Isaiah 55:
8For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.
9For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
This book is basically 25 chapters by authors who really don't get the God of the Bible. They certainly don't like His hell. Some don't even like His Bible. Some don't even really think IT IS His Bible, or His hell. And some just babble on so tediously that you don't know what the hell they're talking about. But it seems they all agree: "This nasty-judgmental hell concept has got to go - and take that child-abuse ATONEMENT doctrine with it." (so both get reinvented by theological progressives)
A mostly useless documentary came out a few years ago called "Hellbound". Go to your local library and suffer through the DVD. I'm pretty sure most Canadian libraries have it - (they're filled with all things liberal - and the occasional Ann Coulter book "Yaaayyyy!" but we are somewhat forced by Canadian content standards to carry THIS as well as Shania Twain and Justin Beiber C.D.'s and DVD's.)
So this film-maker guy tries to show how the Biblical doctrine of Hell is no longer really a solid Biblical Doctrine. He tries to make the badguys (conservative traditional Bible believing Christians) look really bad and unloving, and the goodguys (intolerant hippy liberal love-mongers who generally applaud Gay sex and marriage, and hate any violence in the Bible - unless it's done to conservative Christians?) look really good. But, the Bible is rather clear. And since the movie mostly failed : except in Canadian libraries, we now get a book pushed into our local CANADIAN Christian bookstores. And since hell is just about my favorite Bible topic. Here goes...
Hell is indeed Bad News: Nothing pleasant about it - whether it's Annihilation, Liberal Purifying fire, or even a purgatory day spa. Anguish and Torment abounds . But the good news for these progressive Bible haters is: Hell may not be as bad as they insist.
It amuses me that none of them discussed the nature of man in hell. Yes, the tormenting bit... This isn't rocket science folks. It's right in the pages of scripture: Spiritual beings go to hell and suffer uncomfortable boredom. Luke 16:
But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish.
Or Matthew 8
12while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
For some silly reason people keep talking about torture in hell, or physical burning. Neither of those are clearly mentioned in scripture. Weeping and "Gnashing of teeth" are rather personal INNER issues. I doubt Satan will be forcing people to weep or gnash (actually Satan won't be forcing people to do anything - he'll have his own problems to worry about. He and his ilk won't be ruling hell.)
Now torment and anguish are interesting terms. You don't get poked with a pitchfork and develop anguish. It will most likely come from your inner rage and rebellion against a righteous God, and i'm sure hell will be full of self-righteous people who long for a better Cosmic lawyer. Their natures and desires will not have changed.
We'll deal with the torture issue more later.
_____________________________
On the other side of the equation is God's children (the Saints) getting a NEW NATURE AND BODY in heaven. So, it would make sense that people in hell will have OLD SINFUL NATURES and bodies of some sort as well. Bodies that don't burn or even require water or food. How did all the authors in this book miss this? It's the one big clue we do have. Remember that weird little verse:
Mark 9
48where ‘their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched.’
Sure, sure, we know the verse before it says "And if your eye should cause you to stumble, cast it out; it is better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes, to be cast into Gehenna...
So here we have Jesus (the lovey prophet Guru of social justice and mercy) telling tales about cutting off body parts and being thrown into Hellish places - or garbage dumps? Hmmm, sounds like the God of the Old Testament type talk. Anyway, what's the point of this little immortal worm dweller?
If God is a purifying fire... then what's up with this worm talk? Cutting off body parts to stand before a loving merciful God doesn't sound very all-embracing. And we also have this clear verse from the Old Testament:
Leviticus 21
17“Speak to Aaron, saying, None of your offspring throughout their generations who has a blemish may approach to offer the bread of his God. 18For no one who has a blemish shall draw near, a man blind or lame, or one who has a mutilated face or a limb too long, 19or a man who has an injured foot or an injured hand, 20or a hunchback or a dwarf or a man with a defect in his sight or an itching disease or scabs or crushed testicles... that he may not profane my sanctuaries, for I am the LORD who sanctifies them.”
This God isn't fooling around. Best to keep those body parts eh? Well, if you're a Priest of Aaron. Either way, all of this is connected. (if you believe the Bible is the full word of God that is.)
So here's the real fun thing about that worm not dying: When do worms NOT die in fire? Well, it's when they don't have a body that dissolves or burns. Similar to what might happen to Satan and demons in a hellish fire - they just ain't gonna burn without a certain type body. So here's the connection that everyone seems to be missing: The Rich man and Lazarus account:
Luke 16
The rich man also died and was buried, 23and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. 24And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ 25But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. 26And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’
Do recall that this is hippy guru liberal social justice Jesus telling this tale - (so they say. It's also the Biblical "Commander of the Lord's Army" - "Robe dipped in Blood Jesus" Sheesh! How do they keep missing that?). Revelation 19
He has a name written on Him that only He Himself knows. 13He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is The Word of God. 14The armies of heaven, dressed in fine linen, white and pure, follow Him on white horses.…
Anyway, back to Lazarus: So here we get a story of a guy sitting in flames, NOT burning or melting, and able to chat about somebody dipping their fingers in water... honestly, anyone ever tried that? Any success? Refreshing is it? Somehow the guy can still speak. You can bet I'd be screeching for a KEG of water - packed in ice.
I realize that many assume that the Lazarus and Rich man episode is either a parable or conglomerated teaching tool. ( I'm leaning towards the conglomerated teaching bit - timelines be damned. maybe?) Jesus doesn't owe us anything with this account. But its contents should tell us a thing or two about Jesus being able to share a spiritual Stephen King type scenario.
Anyway, my point is: People in hell have non-burning bodies. SHAZZAM! Just like the worm, just like Satan. Nobody will be burning up and quickly dissolving. How come nobody ever brings this up? It's not complicated. Those in hell will not be requiring water, or food, or toiletries, or mormon underwear. God will give them exactly what they require for their stay: NOTHING. It will not be like that time Homer Simpson was in hell and Satan turned his head into a tasty donut. In a fiery Inferno of hell: most people would cease to exist in a few toasty moments. That is not how God is going to deal with a sin nature that desires to rebel for all eternity. He will simply let them have it. No reason to assume they will stop sinning in thought and mind. But there won't be any deeds to sin with. Not sitting alone.
To recap: Worms don't die, not because they are awesome demi-gods, but because what they're made of simply won't dissolve - their spirit will be intact for all eternity. But seriously, this isn't about worms. That was just a clue. People in hell will not have disposable bodies, or bodies that require much of anything. This is not a challenge for God. Will anyone in heaven have body problems for all eternity? Wouldn't be much fun if we kept losing arms and legs or needed an eternal amount of Scotty toilet paper.
_________________________________
"God is love... love keeps no record of wrongs... therefore no Hell."
Says one of the progressive authors of this book. Ummmh? This is just liberal cherry-picking at its lamest. Remember those verses about the Books that are opened on judgement day? They might apply here: Apparently there's LOTS of records of wrongs. The interesting part is that there is MORE books. The bad ones. Revelation 20
12And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done.
So apparently God DOES keep records of wrongs. I'll expect that bit to be carefully edited in HELLRAZED? 2nd edition. (although not many are buying this so far. That's a relief.) But just for fun: Here's the other books.
Psalm 69:28
May they be blotted out of the book of life And may they not be recorded with the righteous.
Luke 10:20
Nevertheless, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."
Revelation 3:5
Like them, the one who is victorious will be clothed in white garments. And I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but I will confess his name before My Father and His angels.
Seems like a common thread. WE also get Paul in Philippians 4
Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
So we have Jesus, Moses, David, Daniel, Paul and John all discussing this book of life. And this somewhat clear verse in Revelation 20
Revelation 20:15
And if anyone was found whose name was not written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
It shouldn't be hard to see how everything in scripture is connected and confirms God's plan. There IS a book of life. Best not to call it a rich metaphor or parable or myth when that many Christian SAINTS confirm it from beginning to end of scripture.
_________________________________
One ludicrous author even goes so far as to say:
"...Christianity is a fear based religion... which is why so many Christians are violent."
I'm sorry but - What world does this idiot live in? Does he even know what a Christian is? If you aren't loving your neighbor AND ENEMY... then you might not be a Christian. We are no longer Israelites fighting for a promised land (that's another serious issue) we are on a mission for Jesus. And if you ain't - then you might NOT be a Christian. But we are not God; we don't have his insights into the elect. We are simply to attempt to love everyone and share the Good News of the Gospel.
Okay, next bit of stupidity:
"Acts of kindness aren't a platform from which to share the Gospel; they are the gospel."
KIndness is NOT the gospel. Jesus dying on the cross to pay a price we could never pay FOR OUR NASTY SINS before a Holy and Just God to gather people for His eternal loving Kingdom: Now That's the Gospel. Muslims doing nice things for Wiccans who care about atheists - does not equal Gospel. Don't lose focus people. It's all about Jesus.
I can't believe any so-called Christian could even come up with this next blasphemous sentence:
"This can only be answered once one has been shown the Fallacy of the so-called High View of Scripture, where the Bible IS God's Word..."
Sadly, this sums up the books content. The Bible is definitely NOT God's word for these authors. So even their attempt to use the Bible to dismantle hell is mischievous and deceptive. Then they go on to say:
"Most importantly, I agree with everything Jesus believed and taught about Hell."
But we know they don't. Recall Jesus saying these:
Matthew 11:23
And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to heaven? No, you will descend to Hades! For if the miracles that were performed in you had happened in Sodom, it would have remained to this day.
Matthew 16:27
For the Son of Man will come in His Father's glory with His angels, and then He will repay each one according to what he has done.
Mark 9
47And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, 48‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’
Matthew 13
36Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples came to him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.” 37He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. 38The field is the world, and the good seed is the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, 39and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. 40Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. 41The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, 42and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.
So put all those things together and... Jesus had a lot to say about hell. None of it good. None of it with hope. And he never mentions people getting OUT OF HELL. And it appears the nasty fires of hell don't go out.
______________________________
"We must not hold to a perverse doctrine that God subjects all non-Christians to eternal conscious torment."
Well, such says this book. But the Bible is even more brutal than that. Here's a verse that should scare every Charismatic: Matthew 7
21“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
HellRAZED? It certainly appears so. Jesus had a lot to say about hell. The wise thing to do is put all the pieces together and see what you get. Certainly NOT what these authors insist (they ignore hundreds of Bible verses). So here's a Biblical hell:
God's judgement as shown by books and records of wrong doings (unless your covered by the atoning sacrifice of Jesus). Satan's children will be sent to the lake of fire for an eternity. They will not physically burn up, there will be no resources or food. There will be no need for resources or food. People will not be specifically or personally tortured. They WILL be alone -- Hitler will not be their nextdoor neighbor and dropping by for tea. Their punishments will be self-inflicted. They will have an eternity without God bothering them or disciplining them. They will be free with their sinful nature to do... mostly nothing.
Its all about Jesus. His Kingdom. His rules. And His love for the Father's children.
I was thinking back to when I first heard about hell? It wasn't really in church. I almost never heard hell mentioned in church... weird eh? Still don't. Mostly it was waved about in cartoons or glorified in Rock music or Hollywood movies. I do recall Troopers "Raise a little hell" tune. Or AC/DC's "Hell ain't a bad place to be". or maybe even Pat Benatar's "Hell is for children". I even recall that Drunken adult know-it-all ( in the baseball park back when I was 13) who proudly boasted that hell is going to be an eternal debaucherous Orgy of desires and goodtimes with no consequences. Thinking of that: I am curious how many times Homer Simpson has been in hell? Probably a few. I also look back fondly on my Ghostrider comic books, bit of a hellish tale there.
But that seems to be the real problem: people aren't getting their hell from the Bible. And what IS IN THE Bible is mostly being ignored or twisted.
Indeed, the doctrine of eternal torment is only a small piece of many people's eternal problems. Like those Golden Calf worshiping Israelites: many have the wrong Jesus. And most progressive liberals (like these 25 authors) actually hate the Jesus/God of the Bible. I almost hesitate to show them this verse: It might make their heads explode
Isaiah 55:
8For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.
9For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
This book is basically 25 chapters by authors who really don't get the God of the Bible. They certainly don't like His hell. Some don't even like His Bible. Some don't even really think IT IS His Bible, or His hell. And some just babble on so tediously that you don't know what the hell they're talking about. But it seems they all agree: "This nasty-judgmental hell concept has got to go - and take that child-abuse ATONEMENT doctrine with it." (so both get reinvented by theological progressives)
A mostly useless documentary came out a few years ago called "Hellbound". Go to your local library and suffer through the DVD. I'm pretty sure most Canadian libraries have it - (they're filled with all things liberal - and the occasional Ann Coulter book "Yaaayyyy!" but we are somewhat forced by Canadian content standards to carry THIS as well as Shania Twain and Justin Beiber C.D.'s and DVD's.)
So this film-maker guy tries to show how the Biblical doctrine of Hell is no longer really a solid Biblical Doctrine. He tries to make the badguys (conservative traditional Bible believing Christians) look really bad and unloving, and the goodguys (intolerant hippy liberal love-mongers who generally applaud Gay sex and marriage, and hate any violence in the Bible - unless it's done to conservative Christians?) look really good. But, the Bible is rather clear. And since the movie mostly failed : except in Canadian libraries, we now get a book pushed into our local CANADIAN Christian bookstores. And since hell is just about my favorite Bible topic. Here goes...
Hell is indeed Bad News: Nothing pleasant about it - whether it's Annihilation, Liberal Purifying fire, or even a purgatory day spa. Anguish and Torment abounds . But the good news for these progressive Bible haters is: Hell may not be as bad as they insist.
It amuses me that none of them discussed the nature of man in hell. Yes, the tormenting bit... This isn't rocket science folks. It's right in the pages of scripture: Spiritual beings go to hell and suffer uncomfortable boredom. Luke 16:
But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish.
Or Matthew 8
12while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
For some silly reason people keep talking about torture in hell, or physical burning. Neither of those are clearly mentioned in scripture. Weeping and "Gnashing of teeth" are rather personal INNER issues. I doubt Satan will be forcing people to weep or gnash (actually Satan won't be forcing people to do anything - he'll have his own problems to worry about. He and his ilk won't be ruling hell.)
Now torment and anguish are interesting terms. You don't get poked with a pitchfork and develop anguish. It will most likely come from your inner rage and rebellion against a righteous God, and i'm sure hell will be full of self-righteous people who long for a better Cosmic lawyer. Their natures and desires will not have changed.
We'll deal with the torture issue more later.
_____________________________
On the other side of the equation is God's children (the Saints) getting a NEW NATURE AND BODY in heaven. So, it would make sense that people in hell will have OLD SINFUL NATURES and bodies of some sort as well. Bodies that don't burn or even require water or food. How did all the authors in this book miss this? It's the one big clue we do have. Remember that weird little verse:
Mark 9
48where ‘their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched.’
Sure, sure, we know the verse before it says "And if your eye should cause you to stumble, cast it out; it is better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes, to be cast into Gehenna...
So here we have Jesus (the lovey prophet Guru of social justice and mercy) telling tales about cutting off body parts and being thrown into Hellish places - or garbage dumps? Hmmm, sounds like the God of the Old Testament type talk. Anyway, what's the point of this little immortal worm dweller?
If God is a purifying fire... then what's up with this worm talk? Cutting off body parts to stand before a loving merciful God doesn't sound very all-embracing. And we also have this clear verse from the Old Testament:
Leviticus 21
17“Speak to Aaron, saying, None of your offspring throughout their generations who has a blemish may approach to offer the bread of his God. 18For no one who has a blemish shall draw near, a man blind or lame, or one who has a mutilated face or a limb too long, 19or a man who has an injured foot or an injured hand, 20or a hunchback or a dwarf or a man with a defect in his sight or an itching disease or scabs or crushed testicles... that he may not profane my sanctuaries, for I am the LORD who sanctifies them.”
This God isn't fooling around. Best to keep those body parts eh? Well, if you're a Priest of Aaron. Either way, all of this is connected. (if you believe the Bible is the full word of God that is.)
So here's the real fun thing about that worm not dying: When do worms NOT die in fire? Well, it's when they don't have a body that dissolves or burns. Similar to what might happen to Satan and demons in a hellish fire - they just ain't gonna burn without a certain type body. So here's the connection that everyone seems to be missing: The Rich man and Lazarus account:
Luke 16
The rich man also died and was buried, 23and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. 24And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ 25But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. 26And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’
Do recall that this is hippy guru liberal social justice Jesus telling this tale - (so they say. It's also the Biblical "Commander of the Lord's Army" - "Robe dipped in Blood Jesus" Sheesh! How do they keep missing that?). Revelation 19
He has a name written on Him that only He Himself knows. 13He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is The Word of God. 14The armies of heaven, dressed in fine linen, white and pure, follow Him on white horses.…
Anyway, back to Lazarus: So here we get a story of a guy sitting in flames, NOT burning or melting, and able to chat about somebody dipping their fingers in water... honestly, anyone ever tried that? Any success? Refreshing is it? Somehow the guy can still speak. You can bet I'd be screeching for a KEG of water - packed in ice.
I realize that many assume that the Lazarus and Rich man episode is either a parable or conglomerated teaching tool. ( I'm leaning towards the conglomerated teaching bit - timelines be damned. maybe?) Jesus doesn't owe us anything with this account. But its contents should tell us a thing or two about Jesus being able to share a spiritual Stephen King type scenario.
Anyway, my point is: People in hell have non-burning bodies. SHAZZAM! Just like the worm, just like Satan. Nobody will be burning up and quickly dissolving. How come nobody ever brings this up? It's not complicated. Those in hell will not be requiring water, or food, or toiletries, or mormon underwear. God will give them exactly what they require for their stay: NOTHING. It will not be like that time Homer Simpson was in hell and Satan turned his head into a tasty donut. In a fiery Inferno of hell: most people would cease to exist in a few toasty moments. That is not how God is going to deal with a sin nature that desires to rebel for all eternity. He will simply let them have it. No reason to assume they will stop sinning in thought and mind. But there won't be any deeds to sin with. Not sitting alone.
To recap: Worms don't die, not because they are awesome demi-gods, but because what they're made of simply won't dissolve - their spirit will be intact for all eternity. But seriously, this isn't about worms. That was just a clue. People in hell will not have disposable bodies, or bodies that require much of anything. This is not a challenge for God. Will anyone in heaven have body problems for all eternity? Wouldn't be much fun if we kept losing arms and legs or needed an eternal amount of Scotty toilet paper.
_________________________________
"God is love... love keeps no record of wrongs... therefore no Hell."
Says one of the progressive authors of this book. Ummmh? This is just liberal cherry-picking at its lamest. Remember those verses about the Books that are opened on judgement day? They might apply here: Apparently there's LOTS of records of wrongs. The interesting part is that there is MORE books. The bad ones. Revelation 20
12And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done.
So apparently God DOES keep records of wrongs. I'll expect that bit to be carefully edited in HELLRAZED? 2nd edition. (although not many are buying this so far. That's a relief.) But just for fun: Here's the other books.
Psalm 69:28
May they be blotted out of the book of life And may they not be recorded with the righteous.
Luke 10:20
Nevertheless, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."
Revelation 3:5
Like them, the one who is victorious will be clothed in white garments. And I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but I will confess his name before My Father and His angels.
Seems like a common thread. WE also get Paul in Philippians 4
Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
So we have Jesus, Moses, David, Daniel, Paul and John all discussing this book of life. And this somewhat clear verse in Revelation 20
Revelation 20:15
And if anyone was found whose name was not written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
It shouldn't be hard to see how everything in scripture is connected and confirms God's plan. There IS a book of life. Best not to call it a rich metaphor or parable or myth when that many Christian SAINTS confirm it from beginning to end of scripture.
_________________________________
One ludicrous author even goes so far as to say:
"...Christianity is a fear based religion... which is why so many Christians are violent."
I'm sorry but - What world does this idiot live in? Does he even know what a Christian is? If you aren't loving your neighbor AND ENEMY... then you might not be a Christian. We are no longer Israelites fighting for a promised land (that's another serious issue) we are on a mission for Jesus. And if you ain't - then you might NOT be a Christian. But we are not God; we don't have his insights into the elect. We are simply to attempt to love everyone and share the Good News of the Gospel.
Okay, next bit of stupidity:
"Acts of kindness aren't a platform from which to share the Gospel; they are the gospel."
KIndness is NOT the gospel. Jesus dying on the cross to pay a price we could never pay FOR OUR NASTY SINS before a Holy and Just God to gather people for His eternal loving Kingdom: Now That's the Gospel. Muslims doing nice things for Wiccans who care about atheists - does not equal Gospel. Don't lose focus people. It's all about Jesus.
I can't believe any so-called Christian could even come up with this next blasphemous sentence:
"This can only be answered once one has been shown the Fallacy of the so-called High View of Scripture, where the Bible IS God's Word..."
Sadly, this sums up the books content. The Bible is definitely NOT God's word for these authors. So even their attempt to use the Bible to dismantle hell is mischievous and deceptive. Then they go on to say:
"Most importantly, I agree with everything Jesus believed and taught about Hell."
But we know they don't. Recall Jesus saying these:
Matthew 11:23
And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to heaven? No, you will descend to Hades! For if the miracles that were performed in you had happened in Sodom, it would have remained to this day.
Matthew 16:27
For the Son of Man will come in His Father's glory with His angels, and then He will repay each one according to what he has done.
Mark 9
47And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, 48‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’
Matthew 13
36Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples came to him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.” 37He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. 38The field is the world, and the good seed is the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, 39and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. 40Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. 41The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, 42and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.
So put all those things together and... Jesus had a lot to say about hell. None of it good. None of it with hope. And he never mentions people getting OUT OF HELL. And it appears the nasty fires of hell don't go out.
______________________________
"We must not hold to a perverse doctrine that God subjects all non-Christians to eternal conscious torment."
Well, such says this book. But the Bible is even more brutal than that. Here's a verse that should scare every Charismatic: Matthew 7
21“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
HellRAZED? It certainly appears so. Jesus had a lot to say about hell. The wise thing to do is put all the pieces together and see what you get. Certainly NOT what these authors insist (they ignore hundreds of Bible verses). So here's a Biblical hell:
God's judgement as shown by books and records of wrong doings (unless your covered by the atoning sacrifice of Jesus). Satan's children will be sent to the lake of fire for an eternity. They will not physically burn up, there will be no resources or food. There will be no need for resources or food. People will not be specifically or personally tortured. They WILL be alone -- Hitler will not be their nextdoor neighbor and dropping by for tea. Their punishments will be self-inflicted. They will have an eternity without God bothering them or disciplining them. They will be free with their sinful nature to do... mostly nothing.
Its all about Jesus. His Kingdom. His rules. And His love for the Father's children.
August 1, 2018
I love Kevin Miller's writing. So eloquent and pretty dang brilliant if you ask me. I don't usually read anything about theology or religion, but this book was an honest account of how religion can go wrong, and how it can be made honest again with a little more love and a lot less indifference.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews