Hell: A Hard Look at a Hard Question
Overview
Writing from a position of biblical conservatism, the author examines rigorously some of the many questions which are raised by the doctrine of hell. He presents a convincing and scholarly case for the view that the unrighteous will forfeit resurrection life in the Kingdom of God.
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- Offers a foreword by Graham Stanton
- Provides various tables and diagrams
- Includes bibliographical references and an index
Top Highlights
“Thus ‘damnation’, ‘hell’ and ‘fire’ became common words and came to have meanings narrower than the various Greek words which they served to translate. ‘Judgment’, ‘resurrection’ and other New Testament concepts concerned with future corporate hope were redeployed within a system of immediate individual expectation.” (Page 21)
“In broad terms Irenaeus, Gregory and Augustine espoused what have come to be termed ‘conditional immortality’, ‘universal restorationism’ (often knows as ‘universalism’), and ‘unending retribution’.” (Page 11)
“Another matter worthy of note is the way in which this work uses the term ‘souls’ to refer to the dead. This was an innovation in Jewish literature. The term is not employed in such a fashion in the O.T.,151 though the usage may be found in works such as Wisdom of Solomon.152 This usage, together with the movement towards conceiving of fate without reference to general judgment, are both signs of Hellenistic influence within the early chapters of 1 Enoch.” (Page 131)
“Augustine espoused a view which may be termed ‘unending physical torment’.” (Page 6)
“Irenaeus construed salvation chiefly in terms of regeneration.” (Page 9)
I welcome this rigorous examination of some of the many questions which are raised by the doctrine of hell. At a time when it is rare to hear even heaven spoken about in our churches, it is encouraging that this sober theme is once more in our sights. It was plainly often on the lips of Jesus.
—Nigel M. de S. Cameron, research professor of bioethics, Chicago-Kent College of Law
This book is an impressive, thorough discussion of a thorny question. Dr. Powys is at home in many branches of biblical studies…He examines the biblical evidence carefully and sets his case out lucidly and with real insight, showing convincingly how ill-founded are many ancient and many recent views on the fate of the unrighteous. His own solution of a set of complex exegetical and theological issues is judicious and clearly the end result of careful thought.
—Graham Stanton, professor of New Testament studies, King’s College, London
- Title: Hell: A Hard Look at a Hard Question
- Author: David Powys
- Publisher: Paternoster Press
- Publication Date: 1998
- Pages: 508