The doctrine of a hell

Hell is not found in the Bible. Various articles have already appeared here on this subject, which can easily be found via the subject pages on “All Atonement” and “Judgments of God”.

So this article is not about disproving hell, for example. This has already been done. Hell is a stubborn heresy that is still defended (in style) by fire and sword. That’s one side. The other side is the effect of this teaching in this world.

Hell in this world

The doctrine of a hell has an impact on the lives of people who are under that doctrine or once grew up with it. This effect is not harmless. It often has catastrophic consequences for the image of man, the image of God and the image of the world. The teaching causes anxiety and depression, prevents a good attitude towards life, as well as trust in God and confidence. The doctrine prevents faith and distorts the gospel (good news) into a threatening message.

A prominent effect of the doctrine of hell is not a liberated and joyful life, but a life with a dark horizon full of threatening clouds. The image of God is characterized by vengeance and unpredictability. It is a terrible thing in this world, from which many people often suffer throughout their lives. Because the doctrine of hell is linked to orthodoxy, and sold as a “biblical” doctrine, quite a few people get into the devil’s kitchen by thinking they “have to believe” this doctrine because it “is in the Bible.”

Faithful here often means “gullible” or even “naïve”. Because not everything that says “biblical” on it has the ingredient “Bible” in it. Sometimes it’s not even about the Bible, but people believe in hell for other reasons. These reasons need have nothing to do with the Bible. Some point to internalized tradition. Some point to the pastor who teaches this or to the teachings of their own religious group. It is the prevailing view there. Still others refer to near-death experiences interpreted as “hell.” YouTube sends its regards.

In short, if you want to believe in hell, you can, and you’ll always find a reason to do just that. Healthy does not seem to me such a desire. Deeply seated are the fears that want to maintain such a doctrine. Hell is associated with the afterlife, but actually often takes place in this world. This is when the doctrine of hell makes human lives hell in the here and now.

But, maybe hell does exist?

Do you know the feeling that maybe there is something to this hell? “You never know …” is a statement of doubt. Many people are not sure if there might be something “to this teaching” after all. It is an uncertainty that tries to do all sides some justice.

I can understand that, because the strength of some people lies predominantly in being able to empathize with the position of the other person. However, this makes it difficult to reach clear decisions. You can imagine a lot right now! This is indeed a gift, a real power. However, it is also a weakness, whereby liberation cannot take place. Here you have to weigh up whether you don’t want to clarify your own weakness for once. That would be the decision for a liberated life. Do you want that? It is the challenge to put your own life in the foreground for once and to pursue what you believe in and what you want to align yourself with – and whether a hell should be part of it. If so, it needs clarification, however difficult that may be for you.

Someone with extraordinary empathy to understand both one side and the other may hear the following:

Person A says “1 + 1 = 2”. The empathy enthusiast responds by saying, “I am for you!”
Person B says “1 + 1 = 5”. The empathy enthusiast responds by saying, “I am for you!”

The answer is positive, wants to understand the counterpart, but in no way addresses the assertion. This corresponds to the strength of the empathy enthusiast. However, the empathy enthusiast can gain clarity by once examining the claims made by the individuals. Because only one of the two is right. If you cannot calculate at all, you may feel unable to distinguish right from wrong. You can also perceive this and say: “First of all, I want to clarify which rules are being followed here. With that, I can then try to clarify what is bothering me.”

While I am against any black and white thinking, clarity is what we all need. Clarity is needed here, too, simply to say: “This teaching burdens me! I have to clarify this now”. Otherwise, you do not become free.

Why do you believe as you believe?

How one believes is always a personal interpretation. It comes from the development that one has gone through. We are not born with a belief in hell. Such things are taught to us only later. Where did this idea of a hell in your life come from? Who introduced this? Where did this happen? How long have you been carrying this burden?

People are shaped differently. We think differently, according to different value systems. We do a lot of things unconsciously. Some things, however, we can become aware of. We can ask why we think this way and not another. Some examples:

• My pastor/minister teaches hell. That is why I believe in it.
• My church/community/sect teaches hell. That is why I believe in it.
• I have to believe in this in my community.
• I’ve seen a couple of YouTube videos. That is why I believe in it.
• I have heard of some near-death experiences in which people recognized hell. I believe in that.

Whatever reasons one gives, these justify the conviction. Consequently, it’s all about this question: What do I want to align myself with?

We do not know

Especially in circles where one advocates hell, one must “know” everything with 100% certainty. In contrast, I maintain that we can know nothing, only believe something. Why? We have personally seen this otherworldly hell as little as we have seen the otherworldly heavens. We have only heard or read about it in the Bible. There is no experience, no empirically confirmed knowledge. I can cherish such thoughts, as I can do likewise about God, about heaven, and other things, but I can never “know from experience.”

We don’t know. I can only say: I believe in it. For this, however, I want to know on the basis of what I should believe in it or want to believe in it. I would like to understand the basis for this.

For me it is certain that I am interested in hell as far as I can recognize it in the Bible. I want to take the biblical statements seriously, even when I should not know how to deal with them. If I choose the Bible as a basis, I can test the Bible for what it says. I was surprised to discover that this sobriety does not always find favor.

What we can know

There is much we cannot know. But some things I can know because they are written about in the Bible. As far as the Bible interests me and I want to read the statements of this book with open eyes, I can also check these statements. I can check what is written in the Bible and what is not said in the Bible. If I do that, I can clarify:

• Does the Bible say anything about a hell? Answer: No.
• Does Jesus say anything about a hell in the Bible? Answer: No, He was talking about Gehenna.
• Does the Bible teach a threatening message? Answer: No, it is about a good news.

These were my personal answers. The justifications for this can be found in many posts here on this site. They don’t have to be your reasons. What I want to point out here is only this: If the doctrine of hell is bothering you, check the foundations of it.

I wish you to become free from the burden of the unbiblical doctrine of hell. The Gospel is rich in grace, in wisdom of God. Find an answer for yourself. Clarify your questions. It’s worth it. The doctrine of hell shall no longer shake your life.