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Title: What Does the Bible Really Say About Hell?: Wrestling With the Traditional View by Randolph J. Klassen, Randy Klassen ISBN: 1-931038-02-3 Publisher: Herald Press (PA) Pub. Date: 01 November, 2001 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $13.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.67 (3 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Universalist Gold !
Comment: 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)
Rating: 5
Summary: Easy to Read
Comment: 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.
Rating: 4
Summary: The hell concept can go to hell
Comment: Given the very sick idea of an eternal hell, books like this pointing out not only the sickness of the idea, but contrary Bible verses as well, are sorely needed.
I say those that buy into the hell concept have a pretty ([darn]!) low God concept. If God is a "Father," then, given the threat of hell, the "parent-child" relationship is based on fear not love. Imagine a human parent-child relationship with such a fear basis.
Buy it for your favorite arrogant Xn fundamentalist....
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Title: The Inescapable Love of God by Thomas Talbott ISBN: 1581128312 Publisher: Universal Publishers Pub. Date: 01 October, 1999 List Price(USD): $25.95 |
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Title: If Grace Is True: Why God Will Save Every Person by Philip Gulley, James Mulholland ISBN: 006251704X Publisher: HarperSanFrancisco Pub. Date: 08 July, 2003 List Price(USD): $22.95 |
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Title: The One Purpose of God by Jan Bonda ISBN: 0802841864 Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company Pub. Date: 01 March, 1998 List Price(USD): $29.00 |
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Title: Universal Salvation?: The Current Debate by Robin A. Parry, Christopher H. Partridge ISBN: 0802827640 Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company Pub. Date: 25 March, 2004 List Price(USD): $27.00 |
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Title: Good Goats: Healing Our Image of God by Dennis Linn, Sheila Fabricant Linn, Matthew Linn ISBN: 0809134632 Publisher: Paulist Press Pub. Date: 01 June, 1994 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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