This is something that I've been (for lack of a better term) "wrestling" with for the past year or so. Why are there 4 or 5 words in the Bible (Sheol, Hades, Gehenna, Tartarus) translated as "Hell," yet they are not identical? Sometimes they are not even similar! Sheol was the place of the dead, and was the word used in the Old Testament. Gehenna was used only in the Gospels 12 times and referred to the town dump, not an eternal lake of fire. Hades was the equivalent of the word Sheol (we know this from the Greek Septuagint which is the OT written in Greek), yet Hades is translated as "Hell" more often than not in the NT, rather than "the grave." Not too mention, this concept of a eternal hell would have been foreign to the Jews at that time. No one questioned Him on this? Not even the Pharisees who were trying to discredit Him? Not too long ago, I wrote a post on Facebook (which interestingly got no responses), and it follows:
I've been rethinking my view of what Hell is. I used to think like most of the world - that "bad" or "evil" people...or if you are of the "Christian" persuasion - the unbeliever - would end up being tortured and tormented for all eternity. Actually, from the first century to the third century, there were three popular views of what happened to people when they died. Eternal punishment (which is commonly believed now), annihilationism (where the evil are taken out of existence permanently), and eternal restoration (where all beings are restored to God). All three viewpoints were held equally by the early church "fathers". Why did the concept of eternal punishment flourish while the others did not? It came down to what teaching would keep the illiterate rabble in line. "You want to end up burning in hell forever?? Get back in your place! Don't question us. Don't look at what we're doing." The threat of Hell immobilizes people with fear far more than any military can. It's no wonder that the Catholic and Protestant churches have been so prominent in the Middle Ages. Some of the church fathers actually got off on the thought of seeing people in Hell. One person was quoted as saying that they looked forward to the glorious day when he would look upon those who are being tortured in hell - and cackle in delight! Check out this quote from Puritan and Pastor Jonathan Edwards, "The sight of hell torments will exalt the happiness of the saints forever. . .Can the believing father in Heaven be happy with his unbelieving children in Hell. . . I tell you, yea! Such will be his sense of justice that it will increase rather than diminish his bliss." I can't believe this didn't bother me before. When I got to thinking about it, it made me sick that I didn't question it before, and just accepted it as true because that's what is popular now. I no longer believe in the concept of anyone burning in agony until the end of time.
Rob Bell was criticized heavily for his book, "Love Wins," a book I still have to get my hands on. His argument is would a loving God create billions of people, select a few to keep, and 75% (that's a conservative number, by the way) are destined to burn in a fiery pit until the end of time. People say that everyone has a chance to hear the Gospel at least one time in their life. I disagree. Look at the American Indians before the arrival of the Europeans. They lived for at least 1500 years on this continent without even a mention of the name Jesus. Not everyone hears the Gospel before they die. Below are some videos I want you to check out. The first ones have a view of annihilationism, the others Eternal Restoration.
The Hellfire Conspiracy
Do the Wicked Burn in Hell for Eternity
The Special Salvation of Believers
Is Hell Eternal Torment or Does God Save All Mankind
A couple of days ago, one of my acquaintances posted on Facebook that his grandma had passed away. He didn't know if she had a relationship with the Lord but was hopeful she did. What was really on his mind was probably that he feared that his grandma was burning in Hell right now. I personally believe more in annihilationism, than eternal restoration - and completely reject eternal torment. I find evidence for both of the former in the Bible, but honestly I'm really hoping for eternal restoration. That would be incredible, because you no longer have to worry that that drug addict, or that atheist, or that prostitute, or your own unbelieving family member is going to be tortured for all eternity for the sins of one lifetime. You can rest knowing you'll see them again someday. Besides, if eternal torment was real, and you looked down from Heaven and saw 75% of your family and friends in anguish with no way to help them, would that really be Heaven?
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