What Does the Bible Really Say About Hell? Wrestling With the Traditional View (Living Issues Discussion, Vol. 2) (Living Issues Discussion Series) [Paperback]

Randy Klassen (Author)

Book Description

Series: Living Issues Discussion Series | Publication Date: February 2001

Who wants to read a book on hell? Doesn't the daily news already include enough negativity? But this book is more about the kind of God we worship. Does this God consent to the eternal roasting of sinners over an open flame? If God is more like the Parent Jesus revealed, even offering forgiveness before it was requested, as Jesus did on the cross, what do biblical references to hell actually mean?

This book studies every significant reference to hell in the Bible, seeking an interpretation that both takes the Bible seriously as the very Word of God and harmonizes with the character of the God and "Abba" revealed through Jesus Christ.

Because the nature of hell is a "living issue" that deserves serious discussion and an examination of various ways Christians understand the topic, _What Does the Bible Really Say about Hell_ is a volume in the Pandora Press U.S. Living Issues Discussion Series. All books in the series, including this one, provide guidelines for discussion as well as comments from respondents who begin the conversation through freedom not only to affirm but also to disagree with the author's conclusions.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Mennonite minister Randolph Klassen does battle with the devil in What Does the Bible Say About Hell? Wrestling with the Traditional View. He addresses every reference to hell in the Bible, offering separate chapters on Acts, the Old Testament, the Gospels and the Epistles. He rejects the traditional notion of hell as a place of eternal torment for the wicked, claiming that such as view "fails the test of justice": in other words, a just and loving God would not sanction eternal suffering with no possibility of parole. Klassen's voice is gentle and pastoral as he analyzes reasons why many individuals need a belief in hell to scare them into heaven.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From the Back Cover

"Klassen's voice," says Publishers Weekly, "is gentle and pastoral as he analyzes reasons why many individuals need a belief in hell to scare them into heaven."

"Klassen is to be commended for writing this book. What he has done so well is examine carefully all significant references to hell in the Old and New Testaments and shown that none provides clear evidence of the existence of hell as commonly understood." --Peter J. Dyck's latest book is Getting Home Before Dark

"Readers will be encouraged to focus on the grace of Jesus Christ, a grace not complete until the last sheep is found (Matt. 18) and the lost son comes home (Luke 15)." --Robert K. Johnston, Professor of Theology and Culture, Fuller Theological Seminary

"This book resourcefully speaks to the fundamental questions that quite likely will draw readers to it, and in the process shows us all how serious and useful biblical interpretation can be done. " --Nancy R. Heisey, Associate Professor of Biblical Studies and Church History, Eastern Mennonite University; President-Elect, Mennonite World Conference

"As always in Klassen's work, the note of hope sounds clear and there is logic in the approach, buttressed by his searching of Scripture. There is boldness about it which is a great gift to the church: he presses readers to deal with the issue, whatever they may conclude." --Jim Hawkinson, former editor, The Covenant Companion; Executive Secretary, Covenant Publications

"Is hell real? Klassen's response to this challenging question steers clear of a pat answer." --Rev. Evelyn Johnson, Conference Superintendent, Pacific Southwest Conference, Evangelical Covenant Church

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 164 pages
• Publisher: Pandora Press U.S. (February 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1931038023
• ISBN-13: 978-1931038027
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.8 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #620,514 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Universalist Gold !, April 24, 2004

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K. R. Vincent "Ken R. Vincent" (Houston, TX United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: What Does the Bible Really Say About Hell? Wrestling With the Traditional View (Living Issues Discussion, Vol. 2) (Living Issues Discussion Series) (Paperback)

Ken's Guide to Universalist Books

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE REALLY SAY ABOUT HELL? by Randy Klassen (2001) Telford, PA: Pandora Press US

If the catchy title of this book makes you apprehensive about what kind of theology might lie behind its cover, let me assure you that What Does the Bible Really Say About Hell? is one of the best recent books about Universalism. Its author, Randy Klassen, is a retired Mennonite preacher who uses Chapter 1 to discuss the personal pilgrimage that lead to his commitment to Universalism. In Chapter 2, he reviews the Universalist message of First Century preachers Peter and Paul. In Chapters 3 and 4, he states that Hell is not found in either the Hebrew Bible or the New Testament Gospels. He points out that neither Sheol nor Gehenna are equivalent in concept to Hell. Further, he claims that the Greek word used for "eternal" punishment infers a time-limited period. He returns to the writings of Peter and Paul in Chapter 5, emphasizing the absence of any threats of Hell except in one verse (II Peter 2:4) which, again, refers to time-limited punishment. Although Rev. Klassen thinks the Bible definitely foretells a judgment, he says the duration of our punishment is known only to God. He is equally sure that the Bible assures us that, in the end, ALL will be saved, and he quotes the classic verses supporting Universal Restoration. Rev. Klassen reminds us that, in addition to Judgment and Universal Salvation, the New Testament also stresses the need for both faith and works, and he integrates all of these into his Universalist theology. To me, this interpretation is the strongest part of his book. In Chapter 6, he gives an overview of the history of Hell in other religions, as well as acknowledging the unforgiving nature of virtually all Christian theologians (with the exception of the Universalists). Chapter 7 deals with the problems of literalist approaches to the Bible, and Chapter 8 supplies the Biblical basis for rejecting the traditional view of Hell. The Bible verses supporting this are Universalist classics. Chapter 9 deals with the Biblical criterion for judgment. Rev. Klassen notes that ALL judgment passages in the New Testament relate to our deeds and not to any profession of faith. Once again he summons up timeless Universalist passages to show that God is the ultimate parent of ALL and, in the end, God will save us ALL, whether here or in the Hereafter (I Peter 3:18-20;4:6). Chapter 10 is the climax of the book and offers a treasure-trove of Universalist verses. It ends with this moving poem by the author:
God is eternal;
Satan is not.
Love is eternal;
Evil is not.
Light is eternal;
Darkness is not.
Joy is eternal;
Misery is not.
Heaven is eternal;
Hell is not."

This book review originally appeared in the UNIVERSALIST HERALD, March/April 2004. (reproduced with permission)

29 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Easy to Read, October 2, 2002

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Wayne Mcdaniel (Lawrence, KS USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: What Does the Bible Really Say About Hell? Wrestling With the Traditional View (Living Issues Discussion, Vol. 2) (Living Issues Discussion Series) (Paperback)

Klassen writes a very readable book on the subject. He starts out on his research looking at each occasion in the Bible in which the Greek or Hebrew word is translated "hell." His approach is more of an exploratory as opposed to dogmatic. He asks a lot of questions. Surprisingly, he does not get bogged down in a lot of details, which makes the book easy to read. He concludes that while the Bible does teach judgment, it does not teach everlasting torment. An excellent book especially for someone just beginning thier research on this topic. I have also written an essay from my own research and would be glad to email it to anyone who requests.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pretty Good, January 8, 2006

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Adam Gonnerman (North America) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: What Does the Bible Really Say About Hell? Wrestling With the Traditional View (Living Issues Discussion, Vol. 2) (Living Issues Discussion Series) (Paperback)

Although Mr. Klassen is not a formal theologian (this you can tell by his less-than-systematic, slightly meandering style), he shows his heart for God, ministry and people in this excellent book. Raising more questions than he manages to answer, the author explores what it means to interpret Scripture as a believing Christian while carefully reconsidering a long-held dogma of Christianity. Taking the Gospel of Christ seriously, while rejecting outright literalism with the Bible, Mr. Klassen argues against an eternal hell and in favor of divine justice that is equitable and merciful.

While I still believe that "The Inescapable Love of God" should be the first book defending Christian Universalism that anyone should read, this title is a very worthy second book on the topic.