The absurdity of a hell is often recognized. However, those who are firmly convinced of a hell often brush such concerns aside by claiming that “hell is taught in the Bible”. This is one reason why the doctrine of hell is discussed in detail on this website so that such arguments can be refuted by a direct comparison with the Bible. The medieval hell does not exist in the Bible.

It is disturbing when people see the belief in hell as an essential part of being a Christian. Orthodoxy is often proven by “belief in hell”. A threatening message serves a misunderstood orthodoxy by threatening anyone who does not believe the way you see things yourself. However, anyone who makes everything dependent on man is ignoring God. Those who believe in hell have a weak God who desires salvation but cannot bring it about. At the same time, man is granted supernatural, God-like freedom of will, which means that man must “choose for Jesus” to be saved. Just think of the “conversion story” of Saul to dismiss this idea as absurd (Acts 9).

A positive outcome in world history

It seems heretical to believe in a positive outcome to world history. A doctrine of hell, the bastion of a supposed orthodoxy, outlines only a negative outcome of world history and would have us believe that a God of love can simultaneously torment billions of people for eternity. The dissonance that this creates is something no sane person can tolerate. At the very least, one should be encouraged to examine the doctrine of hell if it can be based on the Bible.

God has a goal in mind. Many people are unfamiliar with it. They do not know this view because it is overshadowed by a doctrine of hell. Anything that does not correspond to hell is rejected, denounced and hushed up. The goal of God, however, is clearly stated by Paul: God will one day be “all in all” (1 Corinthians 15:28). He will not “be something in a few”, as the doctrine of hell says, or “be all in those who are not discarded”, as the doctrine of annihilation interprets it. God will “be all in all”, which in context means all people descended from Adam (1 Corinthians 15:20-28). This outcome of all things is positive and quite different from the doctrine of hell.

The big difference

The most important difference between a doctrine of hell and an all-reconciliation lies in the understanding of God. In the doctrine of hell, everything depends on the person. This teaching is anthropocentric because the focus is not on God, but on the person who is saved through “his” faith. In contrast, mutual reconciliation of all speaks of a goal of God that He definitely achieves through Christ. All reconciliation is christcentric in its understanding. I know of no doctrine that has Christ more at its center as the reconciliation of all. It is taught here:

“That He (Christ) may be first in all things, since all perfection (God) is pleased to dwell in Him (Christ) and through Him (Christ) to reconcile the universe (All) to Himself, making peace through the blood of His (Christ’s) cross, through Him (Christ), whether on earth or in the heavens.”
Col 1:18-20

Different teachings logically have a different impact on daily life. Those who do not believe should not care what the Bible says about the outcome of this world. The doctrine therefore first shapes the lives of believers in the here and now. This effect is dark and disturbing for the doctrine of hell. Those who believe in hell are in a constant conflict between the love of God and the unspeakable suffering that the same God will inflict on most people for eternity. The discrepancy could not be greater.

Those who assume a positive outcome to world history, on the other hand, have an entirely different outlook. This outlook is positive because it is not dependent on man, but speaks of God’s own work. You can believe in a more relaxed way because faith is trust in God’s work, as you have an idea of His goal.

Believe with confidence

When Paul testifies that God is a savior of all people, especially believers, he adds that this must be taught in the church (1 Timothy 4:9-11). There is nothing to misunderstand. Such and similar biblical passages are positive in their understanding. If you believe in a positive outcome, this in no way means that you ignore any judgment, Jesus or the cross and resurrection. On the contrary. As can already be seen from the verses quoted above, the return of all things to God takes place precisely because of judgment and God’s own righteousness, through Jesus, the cross and the resurrection. I am confident in my faith today because it doesn’t depend on me or another person whether God reaches His goal. I trust Him to achieve His goal.

Here are some biblical passages that are often quoted, but which make no sense if they are quoted against the background of a doctrine of hell.

Isaiah, for example, writes:
“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return, for they have watered and fertilized the earth and made it sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater : So shall my word be that goes forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”
Isa 55:10-11

Anyone who assumes a hell must inevitably correct the fact that, contrary to Isaiah’s statement, many words do indeed “return to God empty”. Because those who do not believe fall out of the boat, and thus, probably, triggered a double predestination. However, because I know God’s positive purpose and trust that He will achieve His purpose, no word will actually return to God empty, but will accomplish exactly what is important and what it was sent to do in pursuit of that goal. For everything is from Him, through Him and to Him (Rom 11:36).

If I think that hell and eternal damnation are taught in the Bible, I should acknowledge that it even shapes translations:

“Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses it will preserve it.”
Luke 17:33

The word translated here as “life” is literally “soul”. Jesus therefore recommends losing your soul (letting it be lost) so that it can be found. According to traditional ideas, this does not fit because those who are lost, who have lost their soul, cannot be saved. These are destined for hell. An astonishing statement from Jesus? It is obvious that the “soul” here means something quite different from what tradition has interpreted as merely “life” because of a doctrine of hell and shallow interpretations.

Once death will be dismissed as the last enemy (1 Corinthians 15:26) and the judgment before the Great White Throne is the last judgment (Revelation 20:11-15), it becomes clear that these are positive statements. When death is put to death as the last enemy, life and immortality are brought to light (2 Timothy 1:10). And the last judgement is the last time something needs to be straightened out. It’s better after that. I am full of confidence because behind these statements shines the goal that God will one day be “all in all” (1 Corinthians 15:28).

My understanding of faith has changed

As I examined the Bible for a hell, hell disappeared from the Bible. Instead, it became increasingly clear that the doctrine of hell falsified the image of God and distorted the biblical message. Gradually it became clear that although the Bible repeatedly speaks of judgment, these judgments never bring about God’s own justice. God’s justice was achieved on the cross. My consent for this is not relevant. God’s goal is achieved because of God’s work, not because of my approval or disapproval. So I became more confident as my understanding of faith took on a new direction. It is as if my thinking has been recalibrated, realigned with Christ.

My understanding of faith is much more relaxed today. It doesn’t depend on me whether God reaches the goal. I can let go and trust in Him. I am aware that I am limited in my understanding. But that no longer causes stress. Faith is not a brain function, but an orientation of the heart. I am no longer dependent on my own performance, but see myself as the recipient of a gift who is allowed to live from God’s performance.

My understanding of faith has changed since I was able to recognize hell as unbiblical, but the reconciliation of the universe (Col 1:20) as testified. I therefore have hope and even a confident expectation that neither my nor anyone else’s approval or disapproval should have the last word. The saying “All’s well that ends well” gets to the heart of the matter. I trust God that it will be as He has said (Mt 27:25). My confidence helps me to see my own ideas a little more loosely, the dependence on “absolute truth” is no longer a given because I can let go of it all and confidently place it in God’s hands. I also put the idea of God, of Jesus, of justice, of reconciliation and all these things there. These are concepts of faith that can be filled with content, but with which I no longer have to be in a constant state of tension. Whether this world succeeds does not depend on me, but on God himself. That is why I can give thanks, praise God, and at the same time, perfectly imperfectly, have my limited understanding.

In this sense, I can stumble forward with courage because I have come to know a greater God. If one day I can no longer think clearly, that is no obstacle to His work. Frankly speaking, it’s not even about a reconciliation at all, but rather about whether we can spare God from our well-intentioned theological ideas and religious efforts. Whether I agree or not, whether I believe in a God or reject Him, or let the Bible give me confidence, is not a final judgment. I don’t have that power. However, I can choose to see myself as having received a gift and be living by grace. I can even find myself fulfilling both my humanity and my faith. I can respond to this with my very life.