THEOLOGICAL BOOK CRITIQUE FOUR VIEWS ON HELL

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1 THEOLOGICAL BOOK CRITIQUE of FOUR VIEWS ON HELL Written By Gary L. Johnson Jr. May 2, 2010

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION...3 SUMMARY...3 CRITICAL INTERACTION...5 CONCLUSION...7

3 INTRODUCTION This paper overviews Four Views of Hell. As the title suggests, this work overviews four differing views on hell. Each view is written by scholarly contributors and focus on the literal view, the metaphorical view, the purgatorial view, and the conditional view of hell. This book differs from other books written about hell in that it allows each author to state their interpretation of what they believe the Bible declares about hell and allows the other contributors to critique their interpretation. SUMMARY The doctrine of hell is foundational to the Christian religion. In fact, other world religions also have some concept on hell. In the work Four Views of Hell we find four of the most prominent Christian views of hell presented. The disagreement between other religions and Christianity on hell differ greatly. Strong disagreement also exists within Christendom. Four Views of Hell presents the the literal view, the metaphorical view, the purgatorial view, and the conditional view. Each author also critiques each view presented as each contributor seeks to properly interpret what scripture teaches on hell. The literal view is presented by long time President of Dallas Theological Seminary, Dr. John Walvoord. Dr. Walvoord defends that hell is a real place of eternal punishment. The eternal punishment will take place in a dark and fiery place called hell as literally described in scripture. Dr. Walvoord briefly outlines what the Old Testament, intertestamental writings, and the New Testament teach about hell. Dr Walvoord defends the position of eternal punishment while only briefly covering his position that the fires of hell are to be taken literally.

4 The metaphorical view of hell is presented by Dr. William Crockett, Professor of New Testament at Alliance Theological Seminary. There are several similarities between the literal and metaphorical positions. Both see hell as a real place of eternal punishment. The disagreement lies in the approach to interpreting the fiery darkness of hell. As presented above, the literalists claim these references to fiery darkness should be taken literally. The metaphorical view sees these passages as teaching a real eternal punishment, but the language of fiery darkness should be understood as metaphorical. Dr. Crockett presents hell as a place of conscious eternal punishment, but not a place of fire, brimstone, and darkness. The third view of hell, the purgatorial view, is presented by Roman Catholic theologian, Dr. Zachary Hayes. Dr. Hayes argument is based on the Roman Catholic teaching of purgatory. This position is possible through the Roman Catholic teaching that the Bible alone is not sufficient to create a church dogma. Instead, divine revelation should be taking into account as well. Purgatory is described as a place of cleansing and purification for those, who due to their sins, are not ready to meet with an eternal and holy God. This position has little scriptural defense. The lack of specific scriptural support is of little consequence to the purgatorial view of hell. Those of this viewpoint appeal to the role of the church in relation to biblical interpretation, for no text is self interpreting. The final viewpoint of hell is presented by Dr. Clark Pinnock, Professor Emeritus at McMaster Divinity College. Dr. Pinnock presents the conditional view of hell, or annihilation. Annihilation is the view that the view that punishment of the fiery hell will lead to the total destruction of the wicked. The destruction is the eternal punishment, not the torturing fires of hell. The conditional view provides arguments that are based on various scriptures that speak about a permanent death, a misunderstanding in regards to the immortality of the soul, God's moral standards, and the correct interpretation of scriptures relating to hell.

5 CRITICAL INTERACTION The traditional view of hell is that of a dark and fiery place. We have seen many depictions of hell in literature, art, plays, television, and through movies. We often think of a place were the devil will torture the inhabitants of hell for all eternity. In scripture we read passages that also refer to a fiery eternal punishment. Dr. Walvoord presents a literal view of hell that also interprets scripture to reveal a fiery eternal punishment in a place of absolute darkness. The literal view contains many strengths that can not be overlooked. The literal view can be easily ascertained from a simple reading of scripture. Since scripture seems to align with the traditional, literal view that so many Christians have been taught throughout their walk in faith, it becomes very easy to find support of that view with a basic, literal reading of scripture. Dr. Walvoord strengthens his position by showing the New Testament usage of the word ghenna. All but one use case of ghenna refer to an eternal punishment. There are several problems of the literal viewpoint that are not addressed within Four Views of Hell. Dr. Walvoord spends a great deal of time dealing with the eternal nature of hell, but provides very little support for why the scripture dealing with hell cannot be seen as metaphorical. As Dr. Crockett points out, there seems to be sound reason and examples on why we should read the fiery depictions of hell as metaphorical. Dr. Crockett presents a very well researched and substantial argument for the metaphorical viewpoint. He shows multiple examples where the only sound interpretation of scripture can be found through the use of symbolism and metaphor. Dr. Crockett argues that literal depiction of a fiery darkness is a logical absurdity. Fire produces illumination. How can fire and darkness coexist?

6 Dr. Crockett makes no attempt to descibe what hell will actually be like. This can be seen as both a strength and a weakness in the metaphorical viewpoint. In Dr. Crockett's view, hell is a real place where the lost will be eternally damned. They will be banished from God s presence without any hope of restoration. The loss of hope for restoration seems biblically and logically sound, but how can the inhabitants of hell be banished from God s presence. Dr. Crockett does not deal with the problems of such a statement that seems to violate the attributes of God. Sound arguments can be made that God s presence is the worst attribute of hell as His divine wrath is poured out on the lost. The conditional view of hell was presented by Dr. Clark Pinnock. Dr. Pinnock provides seemingly valid and logical arguments the appeal both to the proper interpretation of scripture as well as sound reasoning. Dr. Pinnock accounts for both the punishment and destruction statements in scripture in reference to hell. Dr. Pinnock provides sound arguments that demonstrate the the immortality of the soul is not explicitly taught in scripture, but is instead the byproduct of Platonian teaching. In doing so, Dr. Pinnock presents his minority viewpoint and puts the onus on the literalist to prove that annihilation is logically or biblically inconsistent. The conditional view places emphasis on God s attributes to demonstrate the logical consistency of their argument and heavily relies on scripture that seems to teach both punishment and total destruction for the lost. Dr. Pinnock s heavy use of logical argumentation is both a strength and a weakness. Careful reviews of his arguments show logical fallacies though out his presentation. A deeper view of Dr. Pinnock s arguments demonstrate the falacies of begging the question, appealing to emotion, and straw man attacks. He seems to be driven by a basic presupposition that eternal punishment is too savage and sadistic for a holy God. He regularly appeals to a human understanding of

7 justice. Since we do not share God s attributes of holiness or justice, such argument fail to prove that Dr. Pinnock s opinions about the sadistic nature of eternal punishment are accurate. The purgatorial view presented by Dr. Zachary Hayes demonstrated little to nothing about the nature of hell. Great emphasis was given to the intermediary place called purgatory. The doctrine of purgatory is the result of a faulty understanding on the role of the church in divine revelation. The teaching of purgatory has little to no scriptural support and is the result of a revelation given to the Roman Church during the middle ages. While this viewpoint may appeal to those who like the idea of a second chance after death, this teaching stands counter to scripture and reduces the completed work of Christ. CONCLUSION Four Views of Hell attempts to provide a general overview and critique of the four most prominent views on hell within Christendom. This books presents interesting arguments and provokes thought. However, the brevity of the work on each viewpoint leaves the reader longing for further clarification. The point-counterpoint style of the book does a good job of challenging the reader to dig deeper on a subject that most would like to forget about.