Tom Gender

Rethinking Hell: God's Final Victory: Bible Study Guide Tom Gender

Can it really be that one of the central truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ is "Love God or else he will punish you for all eternity"? This would be a horrible fate indeed, an unimaginable one really. The concept of eternity is difficult enough to grasp, how much less an eternity consisting of unbearable misery and suffering? The traditional gospel message makes an overtly duplicitous proposal: Either God so loves you that he graciously offers you eternal life or God is so angry with you that he will torment you forever in Hell if you refuse his gracious offer. A short life...with eternal consequences...based on a single decision...made if you are aware of it...and made only while you still have the chance. Those are the terms. In this study, we will pursue the question of whether or not this is what Scripture really teaches about Hell. It is common for Christians to simply believe what has been handed down from church authorities or merely what they assumed to be true. Sometimes, though, things that make sense when unquestioned seem not so wise when examined. The existence of some type of postmortem punishment is clear from biblical teaching, but its purpose, nature, and duration are very much open to careful investigation. It is important to seek the truth about such a profoundly important subject as Hell because eternity is at stake.