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What is Hell?: The Truth About Hell and How to Avoid It
Have you ever wondered if you are going to hell? Many people are terrified about going to hell when they die. And for good reason. If hell is a fiery torture chamber where lost souls scream in agony for all eternity, everybody should be worried about meeting such a terrible fate. But is this really what the Bible teaches about hell? In What is Hell?, author J. D. Myers answers your most pressing questions about hell. After summarizing the three common views about hell, this book presents a fourth view. Myers defends this alternative view by showing how the concept of hell evolved over time, and then considers eight terms from Scripture that have traditionally been equated with hell. As you read, you will learn the truth about hell. You will discover what hell is, where hell is, how you can avoid going to hell, and how you can rescue people who are in hell. The book includes an Appendix which explains most of the key biblical texts that have traditionally been used to defend the doctrine of hell. Read this book to be delivered from both the fear and fire of hell.
369 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 27, 2019
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16 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 30, 2020
I bought this book hoping to read something biblically challenging on the much discussed subject of hell, but I soon regreted it. I was unable to make it past the first three chapters, because while there was some biblical work done in support of several of the points the author was trying to make, when it came to his main subject, it was sorely lacking, and the author relied heavily on his own suppositions and assertions, treating them as truth, rather than use the Bible as the basis for finding the answers.
From the beginning you could tell that the basis for the view he holds on what is hell, was his own understanding of the traditional teaching on the subject and how that paints God, instead of what the Bible actually teaches. He begins by saying: "If it is wrong for humans to torture other creatures for a period of time, is it not also wrong for God to torture people for a period of time?" This is mischaracterising our Holy God's righteousness and justice by diminishing it to mere torture.
He also says: "God cannot torture people without sinning, which means God cannot torture people at all." Again, the author is taking it upon himself to judge God and decide that by punishing sin and evil in the wicked and unrepentant, He is in fact simply torturing, and what's more, he calls such act a sin, something which he has no authority to do. Only God can declare what is sin and He is above the rules He sets for us.
He makes that old classic mistake of saying "God is love" while forgetting that that is not all He is. God is also holy, just and righteous, and He will by no means let evil unpunished. He will, however, give every evildoer - all of us - every chance to repent and receive forgiveness, but for those who reject it, punishment it is.
I also don't like the fact that the author writes with absolute conviction, to the point of arrogance, when he tells us what the truth really is in the Bible, instead of being humble and openminded about it.
I strongly agree that we should be using the original words of the text instead of translating them all to "hell", a word that was not even in the Bible originally. I believe this violates the command of not adding to or removing from the Word of God. Having said that, his interpretation of the word "Hades" is confusing and forced in my opinion. While the meaning he gives to it might be appropriate in some specific use of it in the Bible, it certainly cannot be true of all the instances where we find it. The Bible seem to describe "Hades" as a place, and the author's attempt to convince us to see it as something else is unconvincing.
He also writes, "The Lake of Fire is not traditional hell where people suffer and burn for eternity. They are not in torment there, but are sent there to escape their torment..." I cannot, however, reconcile this with Rev. 20 where we read of the devil, the beast and the false prophet who will be tormented there day and night, forever and ever. If the Lake of Fire is a place of eternal torment for the devil and his angels, then how are the people being thrown there not tormented as well? The only way the author's theory might be even remotely correct is if the devil, the beast and the false prophet are not actual physical beings, but represent something else entirely. And that would be beyond my understanding. I will concede that there might not be a specific text in the Bible mentioning humans being burned in the Lake of Fire forever and ever, but even if their chosen destiny is for their "body and soul to be destroyed in Gehenna" and then cease to exist, this is still a terrible punishment, and indeed torment, no matter how brief.
The author really tries to come up with a different interpretation of the lake of fire, or the second death, that some will end up suffering, in a misguided attempt to save God's image and appease his own inability to understand why God would do this to many people. And like so many, he completely fails to understand that God is not only love, but also righteous and just, and the unrepentant wicked are choosing their own destruction. God's wrath upon them is just and deserved, even if we cannot feel that way now. But we will, once we're in His presence.
Verdict: Not recommended.
From the beginning you could tell that the basis for the view he holds on what is hell, was his own understanding of the traditional teaching on the subject and how that paints God, instead of what the Bible actually teaches. He begins by saying: "If it is wrong for humans to torture other creatures for a period of time, is it not also wrong for God to torture people for a period of time?" This is mischaracterising our Holy God's righteousness and justice by diminishing it to mere torture.
He also says: "God cannot torture people without sinning, which means God cannot torture people at all." Again, the author is taking it upon himself to judge God and decide that by punishing sin and evil in the wicked and unrepentant, He is in fact simply torturing, and what's more, he calls such act a sin, something which he has no authority to do. Only God can declare what is sin and He is above the rules He sets for us.
He makes that old classic mistake of saying "God is love" while forgetting that that is not all He is. God is also holy, just and righteous, and He will by no means let evil unpunished. He will, however, give every evildoer - all of us - every chance to repent and receive forgiveness, but for those who reject it, punishment it is.
I also don't like the fact that the author writes with absolute conviction, to the point of arrogance, when he tells us what the truth really is in the Bible, instead of being humble and openminded about it.
I strongly agree that we should be using the original words of the text instead of translating them all to "hell", a word that was not even in the Bible originally. I believe this violates the command of not adding to or removing from the Word of God. Having said that, his interpretation of the word "Hades" is confusing and forced in my opinion. While the meaning he gives to it might be appropriate in some specific use of it in the Bible, it certainly cannot be true of all the instances where we find it. The Bible seem to describe "Hades" as a place, and the author's attempt to convince us to see it as something else is unconvincing.
He also writes, "The Lake of Fire is not traditional hell where people suffer and burn for eternity. They are not in torment there, but are sent there to escape their torment..." I cannot, however, reconcile this with Rev. 20 where we read of the devil, the beast and the false prophet who will be tormented there day and night, forever and ever. If the Lake of Fire is a place of eternal torment for the devil and his angels, then how are the people being thrown there not tormented as well? The only way the author's theory might be even remotely correct is if the devil, the beast and the false prophet are not actual physical beings, but represent something else entirely. And that would be beyond my understanding. I will concede that there might not be a specific text in the Bible mentioning humans being burned in the Lake of Fire forever and ever, but even if their chosen destiny is for their "body and soul to be destroyed in Gehenna" and then cease to exist, this is still a terrible punishment, and indeed torment, no matter how brief.
The author really tries to come up with a different interpretation of the lake of fire, or the second death, that some will end up suffering, in a misguided attempt to save God's image and appease his own inability to understand why God would do this to many people. And like so many, he completely fails to understand that God is not only love, but also righteous and just, and the unrepentant wicked are choosing their own destruction. God's wrath upon them is just and deserved, even if we cannot feel that way now. But we will, once we're in His presence.
Verdict: Not recommended.
June 30, 2019
This will challenge everything you've been taught about Hell
As someone who grew up in the church and has heard many messages preached and taught on what Hell will be like and why you should not want to go there, this book challenges all that I know about Hell.
I suggest you read it for yourself and consider the points the author makes. I am not ready to discard everything I have been taught after reading one book one time that challenges what I believe. However, I do believe there was much research used to support the interpretations shared inside. It will, I expect, make you think, as it did me. That is a good thing and a benefit to reading the book.
I am not a Bible scholar and don't have the time or resources or desire to try to refute what the author wrote. I do believe the Bible was written so that we can read it and understand it based on what it says to us and don't need to be Bible scholars to understand it. There is value in digging deeper and leveraging what Bible scholars have learned and books like this one provide us that opportunity.
The main thing for me is the "and How to Avoid It" part of the title. As long as we believe in Christ and accept His gift of salvation freely offered to us all, we can avoid Hell and experience Heaven for eternity. If we do that then what we believe we know about He'll does not really matter.
So, if you like new, fresh perspectives I recommend you get your copy of this book today and start reading. I am confident you will not be disappointed.
As someone who grew up in the church and has heard many messages preached and taught on what Hell will be like and why you should not want to go there, this book challenges all that I know about Hell.
I suggest you read it for yourself and consider the points the author makes. I am not ready to discard everything I have been taught after reading one book one time that challenges what I believe. However, I do believe there was much research used to support the interpretations shared inside. It will, I expect, make you think, as it did me. That is a good thing and a benefit to reading the book.
I am not a Bible scholar and don't have the time or resources or desire to try to refute what the author wrote. I do believe the Bible was written so that we can read it and understand it based on what it says to us and don't need to be Bible scholars to understand it. There is value in digging deeper and leveraging what Bible scholars have learned and books like this one provide us that opportunity.
The main thing for me is the "and How to Avoid It" part of the title. As long as we believe in Christ and accept His gift of salvation freely offered to us all, we can avoid Hell and experience Heaven for eternity. If we do that then what we believe we know about He'll does not really matter.
So, if you like new, fresh perspectives I recommend you get your copy of this book today and start reading. I am confident you will not be disappointed.
January 1, 2022
Terrible
This book is not good. I thought it would be because usually, this author is good. Here he uses heavy spiritualization of Scripture, imports a teaching that is found nowhere else (i.e., the dead sea is the Lake of fire), and teaches it as if it is well known. Weak arguments throughout and a weighty universalist tone.
The man is not a heretic as I firmly believe he believes the true gospel for his salvation, but this book is one he should not have written. He says in it that the Scriptures show nothing of divine retribution but says any retribution done is by us, not God. Well, Scripture is full of God saying Vengeance is mine I will repay.
This author has followed the ways of the progressive christians and teaches that God is nothing but love. This love is defined how they want it and does not allow for punishment or wrath. He quotes several progressive christian authors throughout in the affirmative and pushes them as if there is nothing wrong with them.
I highly suggest that only mature believers read this as it will certainly confuse and mislead new or less mature believers. I do not recommend this book.
This book is not good. I thought it would be because usually, this author is good. Here he uses heavy spiritualization of Scripture, imports a teaching that is found nowhere else (i.e., the dead sea is the Lake of fire), and teaches it as if it is well known. Weak arguments throughout and a weighty universalist tone.
The man is not a heretic as I firmly believe he believes the true gospel for his salvation, but this book is one he should not have written. He says in it that the Scriptures show nothing of divine retribution but says any retribution done is by us, not God. Well, Scripture is full of God saying Vengeance is mine I will repay.
This author has followed the ways of the progressive christians and teaches that God is nothing but love. This love is defined how they want it and does not allow for punishment or wrath. He quotes several progressive christian authors throughout in the affirmative and pushes them as if there is nothing wrong with them.
I highly suggest that only mature believers read this as it will certainly confuse and mislead new or less mature believers. I do not recommend this book.
August 20, 2019
For someone who would like some answers about Hell, is it real? Jeremy briefly explains the varying ideas of Hell and I think does a great job. He keeps his explanation on this topic clear and easy to understand. After presenting the different ideas of Hell, he explains his view and for the first time, an explanation that makes sense and he finishes with a perspective how this view of Hell fits better with the Gospel and what Christ really died on the cross for. And finishes up where we are now and how to live in this world in light of it.
This book is encouraging and exhorts Christians to live a life that impacts the world by bringing heaven down to earth by which the church will be storming the gates of Hell if you see it this way. Also, Jeremy has a large appendix that talks about fire which that topic is found in his Gospel dictionary online which you can learn about if you choose to subscribe to his online subscription on various topics. Thanks, Jeremy for all your work.
This book is encouraging and exhorts Christians to live a life that impacts the world by bringing heaven down to earth by which the church will be storming the gates of Hell if you see it this way. Also, Jeremy has a large appendix that talks about fire which that topic is found in his Gospel dictionary online which you can learn about if you choose to subscribe to his online subscription on various topics. Thanks, Jeremy for all your work.
December 28, 2020
A great read that really dismantles the lies we've been indoctrinated into. Jesus is the way, not you, me, or our works good or bad!
December 15, 2023
A good read with some interesting points. But a lot of "leaps" based on assumptions at times. Take it with a grain of salt. The best part of this work is on the Greek word "Gehenna".
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews