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Heaven and Hell

Heaven and Hell, Edward Donnelly. Banner of Truth. (ISBN: 9781800405325) 2025, first published 2002.

Summary: A discussion of the traditional doctrines of hell and heaven that we might flee hell and embrace the hope of heaven.

For many of us who believe in some form of existence after death, we hope it will be in some form of “heaven.” And in many cases, we don’t want to think of the “other place,” unless it is for the truly evil like Hitler or Pol Pot. Many struggle to reconcile the idea of a loving and saving God with a place of everlasting punishment. In this book, Edward Donnelly helps us to “think about the unthinkable” as well as bring clarity to what we know of heaven, how we might be sure of going there, and how truly glorious such a future hope is.

The first half of the book is about hell. He begins by addressing why think of the unthinkable. In addition to the massive weight of biblical testimony, he argues that we need to weigh the sober content of the doctrine, that it concerns us directly, and there is a clear way of escape available for all. He also argues for this study because of the massive unbelief in hell, even among supposed “evangelical” Christians. Underlying all of this is our self-centeredness that denies the reality of sin and the holiness of God.

Then, Donnelly turns to examine the biblical evidence, showing that it is a real place created by God and a place of just and everlasting punishment. It is for the devil, his angels, and for those who do not believe. He shows that it is not Satan but God who rules over hell. But isn’t everlasting punishment too severe? The ultimate argument is that without hell, the cross makes no sense. If sin were a trivial matter, the sacrifice of the cross makes no sense. Likewise, he addresses the contention that a loving God wouldn’t create hell. He observes that God is holy as well as loving. and also that love doesn’t overlook evil. And finally, a merciful remedy exists by which no one need go to hell. Rather, than torment us, scripture warns us of hell that we might embrace the remedy!

Furthermore, the destruction is everlasting, the same word use to speak of everlasting life. He describes bluntly what it is like to be utterly separated from God, from all the goodness even those who do not believe now experience. and he discusses what those in hell suffer. While scripture uses imagery (flames, darkness), the reality is still a real experience of pain, even if not never ending fire. But what are the implications for those who believe? First it encourages us to put sin to death. Then, it means we live with contentment in all circumstances. Third, it calls us to a serious, though not gloomy approach, realizing we live among those headed toward a Christless eternity. Fourthly, it fosters a deeper appreciation of Christ. Fifthly, it lends urgency to our witness.

A couple comments. One is that it seems this book assumes those who have never heard are headed to hell, as far as I can tell. I would argue that scripture is silent on this other than to urge us to reach the unreached. I would leave their final fate to God’s just judgement. The other is I would have liked to see more of a case against annihilation, which is only mentioned to dismiss it as an example of evangelicals who argue against everlasting conscious punishment. While I would agree on the basis of biblical texts, not least of which are the statements of Jesus, that there are good reasons to affirm traditional view, those like John Stott have advanced biblical arguments for annihilation, that I would like to have seen addressed thoughtfully.

That said, this part of the book offers one of the clearest modern statements on the biblical teaching on hell and judgment. Furthermore, it makes the case for why we do well to flee to Christ and for the urgency of our witness.

Then Donnelly turns to heaven. He begins by observing that while many believe in heaven, we find those beliefs are often superficial. He explores both the reasons for our neglect and why the glorious hope of heaven matters. Again, he presents the biblical teaching about heaven. Donnelly emphasizes that heaven exists first of all for God’s glory, that both heaven and earth were created for God’s glory. But human rebellion diminished that glory. God has worked to restore that glory through calling a people, redeemed through Christ. Then he proceeds to show how Christ is the heart of heaven’s blessings. He is the Lamb who was slain and has conquered death.

Donnelly goes on to speak of how we will be like Christ. He makes us perfect, sinless, raises us bodily, in glory and power. Above all, he delights in us. Finally, he speaks of our fullness of joy. We, who are new creations, dwell in a renewed creation, even more beautiful than earth’s greatest beauties. We enjoy family relations with all God’s people–a large, varied, united, attractive, and satisfying family. And we will enjoy both rest and service in worshiping God with all our being and gifts.

I suspect some will object to Donnelly’s unapologetic statement of the doctrine of hell. Yet there are many unpleasant things in life we are better off knowing about. By knowing we can avoid them. Also, setting hell and heaven side by side points up the incredible gift Christ has made possible at great cost. It makes clear both the fearsome reality of hell, and that none of us need go there. God has made available a remedy offering a far better future. If true, we’d have to be crazy to neglect it.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for review.

40 Questions About Heaven and Hell, Alan W. Gomes (Benjamin L.Merkle, series editor). Grand Rapids: Kregel Academic, 2019.

Summary: Addresses with clear and concise biblically based answers common questions about the afterlife: heaven, the intermediate state, the final judgment, the new creation, and hell.

What happens to us after we die? This is one of the most basic questions every human being has thought about (or tried not to think about). There are a variety of conceptions of what will happen. Some think that there isn’t anything after death. Many in the world anticipate reincarnation in some form. Others, including many Christians think of our post-mortem existence more along the lines of ancient Greeks, where an immortal spirit will reside in some kind of “heaven” in the presence of angels and God.

Alan W. Gomes offers a very practical exploration of many of the questions that arise both from these popular notions and from our reading of the Bible. The title of the book says “40 Questions” but technically, some questions are answered in two parts. Here are some of the kinds of concerns he gets into: what do we mean by soul or spirit and do one or both survive our death? What does the Bible mean when speaking of “heaven” or “hell”? What happens in the period between our death and the resurrection? Will there be rewards in heaven? Degrees of punishment? What about purgatory? What are the “new heavens and the new earth?” Will there be marriage and sex in the eternal state? How can a loving God send anyone to hell? How can we be happy if there are people suffering in hell?

This isn’t an exhaustive list but gives you the sense that you will probably find the questions you or others have asked addressed in this book. Each chapter offers a general discussion of the background of the questions and positions Christians have held, then considers biblical texts with the author’s conclusions of how scripture addresses each question. The chapters conclude with reflection questions allowing readers to review the content, as well as determine their own response to the material presented. Generally, each chapter runs between five and ten pages.

Rather than go into detail on most of the author’s answers, which would be kind of spoiler, I would observe that Gomes would tend to take a traditional approach to many of the questions in the book. What I appreciate is that he does not try to speculate on questions for which the Bible is silent. He affirms the existence of souls of believers in a conscious state prior to the resurrection. Along with other traditional and modern commentators, he believes in the resurrection of the body, and the reign of resurrected believers with Christ in the new earth, the New Jerusalem come down from heaven. He affirms both our salvation by grace, and rewards for believers on the basis of their works, their faithfulness. While acknowledging the figurative language about hell, he believes the scriptures give no warrant for anything other than eternal conscious punishment. He rejects annihilationist, and universalist proposals that have been advanced and discusses the biblical arguments that have been advanced.

I did find his answer to the question of how one could be happy knowing of others people undergoing punishment. His proposal comes down to the idea that from the perspective of eternity with God, we will see things differently–the opportunities for repentance, faith and salvation, and the sinfulness of sin. I also found it interesting that he finds no biblical warrant for the statement “he descended into hell” in many renderings of the Apostles Creed.

It’s likely that not all readers will agree with all that the author says. That, in my mind is not a reason to not buy this book. Often, those who would reject the positions the author takes actually reject poor caricatures rather than the kind of carefully argued treatments this author gives us. Particularly with questions of ultimate destiny, a book like this challenges us to examine whether our beliefs are grounded in what we would like to be true, or hopeful speculations, or grounded in what scripture has made known to us. The reflection questions leave room for the reader to wrestle with these question on his or her own, and that the reader may or may not be convinced of what the author has written. I appreciate the approach here that does not shrink from setting forth what may be hard for some to accept, while giving the reader the space to reach his or her own conclusions.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions I have expressed are my own.