New book by Westminster John Knox Press challenges us to reconsider what we believe about hell, and why
‘Second Thoughts About Hell’ is now available
As Christians, what should we believe about hell?
Instead of offering a prescriptive, one-size-fits-all answer, Ronald Allen and Robert D. Cornwall guide the reader through the historical interpretation of hell.
They begin their book “Second Thoughts About Hell,” published Tuesday by Westminster John Knox Press, with the voices of the Hebrew Bible, extrabiblical, and New Testament texts and the voices of the early, medieval, Reformation, and modern church, pointing out the three main Christian views today — literalism (hell exists, and those there will suffer for eternity), annihilationism (the punishment of hell is limited and leads to the extinction of the sufferer), and universalism (everyone is saved, so hell does not exist).
The authors include multiple contemporary theological positions on hell, such as those of liberation theologians and process theologians. Through describing and explaining these different points of view, Allen and Cornwall allow the reader to decide what view(s) of hell make the most theological and ethical sense to them, and they conclude by offering their personal thoughts on hell.
The book includes a study guide, making it an excellent resource for group study. An online resource to help preachers engage the notion of hell in the pulpit is available here.
The resource includes a general orientation to the subject and suggestions for sermon series based on biblical texts and topics.
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