Heaven and Hell [Paperback]

Edward A. Donnelly (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2002

A moving exposition, marked by biblical realism and pastoral warmth, of the solemn reality of hell and the matchless glory of heaven, by the author of Peter: Eyewitness of His Majesty.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Banner of Truth (February 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0851518117
• ISBN-13: 978-0851518114
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #867,662 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Biblical Examination of Important Doctrines, September 15, 2007

By 

Tim Challies (Oakville, Ontario) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Heaven and Hell (Paperback)

Some books receive titles that are a little bit mysterious, only hinting at what the book contains. There are others that just give it all away in the title. Biblical Teaching on the Doctrines of Heaven and Hell pretty well says it all. Edward Donnelly simply turns to Scripture to see what God says about these important doctrines of heaven and hell.

Heaven is a popular subject at the moment. Randy Alcorn's book Heaven has over 300,000 copies in print and there are another 200,000 Heaven-related products in print with it. I'm quite sure that he would have sold fewer than 3,000 had the book been titled Hell. Don Piper's 90 Minutes in Heaven has sold millions of copies and has been on the New York Times list of bestsellers for months now. For obvious reasons, hell is a less popular topic. Bill Wiese's 23 Minutes in Hell has barely made a splash. We would far rather ponder heaven than hell. And for good reason. But in this book Donnelly dedicates equal time to both subjects.

The first half of the book discusses hell in all its fiery horror; the second part turns to heaven with all its beautiful glory. The first half is difficult to read and weighs heavily on the soul; the second is like a sip of cool water on a hot day. The first terrifies; the second elevates. Donnelly is not given to hyperbole or imagination. He does not present a fictionalized vision of hell that owes more to horror movies or medieval art and imaginings than to the Bible. Rather, he simply relates what the Bible tells us, both explicitly and implicitly, about that awful place. He does so under four alliterated headings: Absolute Poverty, Agonizing Pain, Angry Presence and Appalling Prospect. When, in the second half of the book he turns to heaven, he does not guess what it is like or fall into conjecture about what we will experience there. Instead he relates only what the Bible tells us, reflecting on the fullness of joy that is there and waiting for those who love the Lord.

Though only a short book, weighing in at just 127 pages, Biblical Teaching on the Doctrines of Heaven and Hell still seems to be thorough. This is, I believe, because though the subjects of heaven and hell are mentioned often in the Bible, we do not receive a great deal of detail about them. They are so far beyond our experience that God can only give us glimpses of what they will be like by drawing comparisons to what we know and experience in this life. This is a book that dedicates equal time to both subjects, first allowing the heart and spirit to recoil at the though of hell but then comforting it with the knowledge of heaven. Throughout the book Donnelly is pastoral, often challenging the reader and continually returning to the gospel, ensuring the reader knows that the promises of heaven are given only to those who know the Lord and that the horrors of hell can be avoided by those who will turn to Him. For those interested in doing some reading on the subject matter, this book is a worthwhile investment in both time and money. I recommend it.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Heaven and Hell Are Real!, April 10, 2003

By 

Christian Observer (Manassas, VA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Heaven and Hell (Paperback)

Heaven and hell are too often neglected and frequently misunderstood concepts in the Bible. In this well written presentation the author presents hell in its stark reality and heaven in its beauty. The Bible makes it clear both places are real. In this book the two are more clearly defined and explained. This is a book everyone should read. It is readable and soundly based on the Bible

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Why is hell eternal? Don't they "pay it off?", March 29, 2006

By 

T. Blakemore (Phoenix) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Heaven and Hell (Paperback)

This and many more questions are finally answered satisfactorily. He compels us to realize that if we're truly Christian, that we do not want ANYONE to go to hell and would do anything to share the gospel of Jesus the Christ, so they may avoid it. This book is terrifying and wonderful altogether. It has impacted me more than any book I have ever read--save the Bible itself. As tough as the topic is, it's very easy to read and comprehend--I've recommended it over and over in the last 3 years.