The metaphorical view of Hell

[evangelist6589]

I just finished reading an essay by William Crocket in the book 4 Views on Hell (1996 version). He does make good arguments using the Bible and secondary Jewish literature sources. Perhaps the fires in Hell are not literal but describe a terrible reality far worse than the flames. One example he gives in the essay of a possible punishment for murderers is being cast into a pit of deadly reptiles and being killed over and over again for all eternity. Still fire is used many times in the Bible that does not always mean earth literal flames. He makes lots of good arguments and I am presently reading John Walvoords response. Anyone hold to the metaphorical view of Hell besides Jon C?

He also does a good job at refuting the Conditional immortality view which really has many weak arguments.

 

[JonC]

I just finished reading an essay by William Crocket in the book 4 Views on Hell (1996 version). He does make good arguments using the Bible and secondary Jewish literature sources. Perhaps the fires in Hell are not literal but describe a terrible reality far worse than the flames. One example he gives in the essay of a possible punishment for murderers is being cast into a pit of deadly reptiles and being killed over and over again for all eternity. Still fire is used many times in the Bible that does not always mean earth literal flames. He makes lots of good arguments and I am presently reading John Walvoords response. Anyone hold to the metaphorical view of Hell besides Jon C?

He also does a good job at refuting the Conditional immortality view which really has many weak arguments.

Another way of considering the subject, Evan, is examining the biblical description of Heaven. When John says that there is no more “sea”, does this mean that there will be no more oceans or is this symbolic. D.A. Carson believes this to indicate the end of turmoil (associations with the sea throughout scripture). Will Jesus literally look like a slaughtered lamb-lion-city? No, we accept that as symbolic. Is the New Jerusalem descending a literal city in the shape of a cube....or maybe since the other "cube" in scripture is the Holy of Holies (which was square), could this be speaking of God's presence restored and dwelling among us?

Why do we take these things of Heaven as symbolic but assume such a literal view of Hell? Perhaps scripture is presenting the both in such a way as to illustrate a genuine dichotomy (life/death, heaven/hell, the presence of God/ absence from God, mercy/wrath). I truly think that the literal description of Hell is far less severe than the reality it represents.

 

[evangelist6589]

Another way of considering the subject, Evan, is examining the biblical description of Heaven. When John says that there is no more “sea”, does this mean that there will be no more oceans or is this symbolic. D.A. Carson believes this to indicate the end of turmoil (associations with the sea throughout scripture). Will Jesus literally look like a slaughtered lamb-lion-city? No, we accept that as symbolic. Is the New Jerusalem descending a literal city in the shape of a cube....or maybe since the other "cube" in scripture is the Holy of Holies (which was square), could this be speaking of God's presence restored and dwelling among us?

Why do we take these things of Heaven as symbolic but assume such a literal view of Hell? Perhaps scripture is presenting the both in such a way as to illustrate a genuine dichotomy (life/death, heaven/hell, the presence of God/ absence from God, mercy/wrath). I truly think that the literal description of Hell is far less severe than the reality it represents.

No more sea? Well I hope that one is symbolic as I like the ocean and its animals and nature. The author did dive into examples of what Hell could be like since there will be no flames. Imagine being thrown into a pit of deadly snakes and being bitten over and over again. Imagine being raised up in the air and thrown down on rocks over and over again,etc..

The author does at least believe that torment is eternal so his position is sound and not like that of the annihilationist or Universalist.