John C Rankin

The Freedom to Choose Hell John C Rankin

There is a verse in the RSSV: "For God so loved the world, that he gave us each the freedom to choose to go to hell if we damn well want to." Now, I would give caution on how we use this verse, since it is from the Rankin Sub-Standard Version (i.e., my biblically informed imagination). But if we grasp the interface of theology between Genesis 2:8-17 and John 3:16-21 - and across the whole biblical text - it will stand the test of time. Or to put it another way: Heaven is for the many who love mercy; hell is for the few who guard bitterness. This is not a question I ever intended to be the subject of a book. It sought me out on five occasions. First, Kalen Fristad, in Destined for Salvation, believes in an "ultimate restoration" universalism, that all people will eventually be saved, even if they first spend a long time in hell. He sought me out to debate him. Second, a friend of mine asked me to read a book by Julie Ferwerda, Raising Hell, and write a critique. Julie believes the doctrine of hell is a nasty fiction. Third, this same friend asked me to read Rob Bell's bestseller, Love Wins. Rob relentlessly drives his whole book toward an "ultimate restoration" universalism, but does not explicitly use the language. Fourth, W. Paul Young, author of the bestseller, The Shack, gives theological background in Lies We Believe About God. He opens the door for an "ultimate restoration" universalism, and does not close it. And fifth, my long-time friend George Sarris has written Heaven's Doors, where he argues for an "ultimate restoration" universalism. He had me review his manuscript material ahead of time. All these writers have a love of hard questions. I pose them a boatload of questions, and embrace any questions that thus come my way.