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Deconstructing Hell: Open and Relational Responses to the Doctrine of Eternal Conscious Torment
Perhaps no modern church dogma has been more destructive to the mission of Jesus, created more atheists or generated more religious trauma than that of eternal conscious torment (ECT) for the non-believer.
The present volume brings together experts in their fields to take the reader on a historical, philosophical and theological journey to deconstruct this harmful doctrine.
Along the way, the reader will be not only be offered compelling pathways to reconstruct a biblical perspective on the afterlife of the impenitent, but ways to heal and move beyond the dire impact of ECT indoctrination.
What are people saying about Deconstructing Hell?
“I first learned about hell in Catholic school when I was in third grade. The nun was surprisingly graphic. For the next several years, I was terrified of God and had reoccurring nightmares of being sent to hell. I could not understand how we could say “God is love” if God is capable of inflicting never-ending pain on people! I now consider the teaching that hell involves eternal conscious suffering (ECS) to be a monstrous assault on God’s good character and an affliction on the psyche to all who come to believe it, which is why I am excited to recommend Deconstructing Hell. Each of the remarkable essays in this impressively diverse collection deconstructs ECS from a different perspective in a compelling way. The sooner this nightmarish teaching is laid to rest, the better!”
—Gregory Boyd, God of the Possible, Is God to Blame, Cross Vision
“Deconstructing Hell insightfully shows that the common idea of hell as eternal conscious torment is unbiblical, makes God immoral, and causes trauma in people. This work examines the biblical material, the theology behind hell, the range of alternative views, and, importantly, the serious damage belief in hell has had on people. It shines a bright light on this hideous teaching and will help people move away from a dark, fear-based religion towards the true God who deeply cares for everyone.”
—John Sanders, The Openness of God, The God Who Risks
“In Deconstructing Hell, each author has made a valuable contribution to the discussion of a “hot topic” that has divided many. Thankfully, these voices bring more light than heat to the matter. Maybe because it’s hard to argue with orthodoxy and Scripture.”
—Steve McVey, The Secret of Grace, Gracewalk
Deconstructing Hell is a “hell of a book!” Like a prism, it presents and challenges images of eternal torment from a variety of perspectives—theological, historical, psychological, spiritual, and autobiographical—and from a variety of voices—scholarly, lay, ministerial, female and male. It asks hard questions and does not give ready-made answers. This is a book for questioners and seekers, for persons from whom the doctrine of eternal torment is an insult to the vision of a loving God and a source of terror and alienation. This book challenges the belief that God needs hell to be just, and that God’s love is compatible with torture. Beyond doctrines of the divine abuser so dear to certain strains of conservative Christianity is the open and relational God to whom all hearts are open, and all desires known, the one whose love companions us in life and death and beyond, and whose love never ends for each and all of us.
—Bruce Epperly, The Elephant is Running, Messy Incarnation
The present volume brings together experts in their fields to take the reader on a historical, philosophical and theological journey to deconstruct this harmful doctrine.
Along the way, the reader will be not only be offered compelling pathways to reconstruct a biblical perspective on the afterlife of the impenitent, but ways to heal and move beyond the dire impact of ECT indoctrination.
What are people saying about Deconstructing Hell?
“I first learned about hell in Catholic school when I was in third grade. The nun was surprisingly graphic. For the next several years, I was terrified of God and had reoccurring nightmares of being sent to hell. I could not understand how we could say “God is love” if God is capable of inflicting never-ending pain on people! I now consider the teaching that hell involves eternal conscious suffering (ECS) to be a monstrous assault on God’s good character and an affliction on the psyche to all who come to believe it, which is why I am excited to recommend Deconstructing Hell. Each of the remarkable essays in this impressively diverse collection deconstructs ECS from a different perspective in a compelling way. The sooner this nightmarish teaching is laid to rest, the better!”
—Gregory Boyd, God of the Possible, Is God to Blame, Cross Vision
“Deconstructing Hell insightfully shows that the common idea of hell as eternal conscious torment is unbiblical, makes God immoral, and causes trauma in people. This work examines the biblical material, the theology behind hell, the range of alternative views, and, importantly, the serious damage belief in hell has had on people. It shines a bright light on this hideous teaching and will help people move away from a dark, fear-based religion towards the true God who deeply cares for everyone.”
—John Sanders, The Openness of God, The God Who Risks
“In Deconstructing Hell, each author has made a valuable contribution to the discussion of a “hot topic” that has divided many. Thankfully, these voices bring more light than heat to the matter. Maybe because it’s hard to argue with orthodoxy and Scripture.”
—Steve McVey, The Secret of Grace, Gracewalk
Deconstructing Hell is a “hell of a book!” Like a prism, it presents and challenges images of eternal torment from a variety of perspectives—theological, historical, psychological, spiritual, and autobiographical—and from a variety of voices—scholarly, lay, ministerial, female and male. It asks hard questions and does not give ready-made answers. This is a book for questioners and seekers, for persons from whom the doctrine of eternal torment is an insult to the vision of a loving God and a source of terror and alienation. This book challenges the belief that God needs hell to be just, and that God’s love is compatible with torture. Beyond doctrines of the divine abuser so dear to certain strains of conservative Christianity is the open and relational God to whom all hearts are open, and all desires known, the one whose love companions us in life and death and beyond, and whose love never ends for each and all of us.
—Bruce Epperly, The Elephant is Running, Messy Incarnation
- GenresChristian
234 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 9, 2023
30 people are currently reading
80 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 20, 2023
Do you find it difficult to believe in hell? You think hell factors as a major concern in the Bible, but that seems to run counter to what you believe about God. If God is love how can God people to a place where they will experience eternal conscious torment? If so you're not alone. In Deconstructing Hell, fifteen writers who identify in some way as Open and Relational deconstruct this concept. They are not all in agreement on every matter, but they are in agreement that hell does not fit their idea of God. I should note that I wrote the opening essay on the history of hell. You might not agree with each writer. I don't and I am one of the contributors.
January 25, 2023
Dr. Bahl has assembled some diverse and fresh voices to address the common misconceptions and the newer understandings about the afterlife and the existence of hell. In this volume, the contributors are varied, both in their belief structures and their perspectives on the presentation of the subject. Some address the historical or Biblical understandings of hell while others discuss the analytical and philosophical uses of the concept.
What struck me (and I am not someone who usually reads theological works or spends a great deal of time assessing topics like this!) was the discusses of a hell that is either for a punishment or a purification of the soul. The authors and editor take great pains to discuss where we get our common misconceptions of hell (i.e. the raving preachers like Jonathan Edwards, the descriptions within Dante's "Inferno," or the hollywood treatments of an actual place) and presenting an alternative notion that hell is really more of a state of conscience. From this, they discuss the actual Biblical an historical accounts (which differ greatly from the popular notions and some never exist at all) and it continues to contributors who look at the practical, the applicable and the psychological ramifications of this type of existence after death.
As someone who typically reads history and political books for my job, this was an interesting change of pace and something that altered my beliefs (let's be honest...assumptions) of hell as a concept. The contributors complement each other very well in writing styles and essay topics and Bahl has compiled these into a logical buildup of material, as opposed to typical essay collections that always seem to have a misplaced essay or two.
I think this would make an excellent resource for a church's Bible study or Sunday School class. It asks questions and challenges older claims and mythologies, while still allowing the reader to ask their own questions. I would also not be surprised to see future full length volumes from some of the contributors, as some of the essays were begging for more in depth discussion and elaboration.
This is NOT for the casual reader, but would be an excellent read for people intrigued by biblical study and furthering of personal faith.
What struck me (and I am not someone who usually reads theological works or spends a great deal of time assessing topics like this!) was the discusses of a hell that is either for a punishment or a purification of the soul. The authors and editor take great pains to discuss where we get our common misconceptions of hell (i.e. the raving preachers like Jonathan Edwards, the descriptions within Dante's "Inferno," or the hollywood treatments of an actual place) and presenting an alternative notion that hell is really more of a state of conscience. From this, they discuss the actual Biblical an historical accounts (which differ greatly from the popular notions and some never exist at all) and it continues to contributors who look at the practical, the applicable and the psychological ramifications of this type of existence after death.
As someone who typically reads history and political books for my job, this was an interesting change of pace and something that altered my beliefs (let's be honest...assumptions) of hell as a concept. The contributors complement each other very well in writing styles and essay topics and Bahl has compiled these into a logical buildup of material, as opposed to typical essay collections that always seem to have a misplaced essay or two.
I think this would make an excellent resource for a church's Bible study or Sunday School class. It asks questions and challenges older claims and mythologies, while still allowing the reader to ask their own questions. I would also not be surprised to see future full length volumes from some of the contributors, as some of the essays were begging for more in depth discussion and elaboration.
This is NOT for the casual reader, but would be an excellent read for people intrigued by biblical study and furthering of personal faith.
March 23, 2023
Required Reading for Decinstruction
A fundamental step in deconstruction is to consider eternal conscious torment (hell). Because it is so foundational to many belief systems, It is important to consider it carefully. This book will help. Chad has gathered some amazing authors to give you, not just one opinion, but many. This will help you when you go inside and consult your internet knowing.
May this be the start of something new and great within you!
A fundamental step in deconstruction is to consider eternal conscious torment (hell). Because it is so foundational to many belief systems, It is important to consider it carefully. This book will help. Chad has gathered some amazing authors to give you, not just one opinion, but many. This will help you when you go inside and consult your internet knowing.
May this be the start of something new and great within you!
January 4, 2024
Deconstructing Hell
Each chapter in Deconstructing Hell is written by a different author. I didn’t have a favorite chapter or author. I enjoyed each chapter equally and found each chapter informative and helpful. This book is well written and put together. Its words are healing, open and genuine. Reading felt like "coffee and a chat" with a group of friends. I am on a journey to decolonize my faith, and this book is a journey supporter.
Each chapter in Deconstructing Hell is written by a different author. I didn’t have a favorite chapter or author. I enjoyed each chapter equally and found each chapter informative and helpful. This book is well written and put together. Its words are healing, open and genuine. Reading felt like "coffee and a chat" with a group of friends. I am on a journey to decolonize my faith, and this book is a journey supporter.
February 26, 2024
Intriging..wish I could preach this in my congregation...theological thinking outside the book...love it!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews