Few teachings in the Bible are more sobering—or more difficult for many people to accept—than the reality of Hell. How could a loving God send anyone to Hell? Why would God create people knowing that some would reject Him and be eternally lost? What about those who have never heard about Jesus? And is eternal punishment really just?
These are serious questions, and Christians should be prepared to answer them thoughtfully and compassionately. The doctrine of Hell is not something Christians should take pleasure in or speak about casually. Jesus Himself repeatedly warned about coming judgment, while at the same time demonstrating God’s extraordinary love for sinners and ultimately giving His life so that we could be forgiven and rescued from condemnation.
So how can we reconcile the reality of Hell with the love, goodness, and justice of God? The resources below address some of the most common questions and objections concerning Hell, including eternal punishment, degrees of judgment, annihilationism, universalism, and the fate of those who have never heard the gospel. They will help you better understand what the Bible teaches and graciously explain why the doctrine of Hell is consistent with the character of a perfectly loving and perfectly just God.
FEATURED ARTICLE:
“ANSWERS TO SKEPTICS’ MOST POPULAR QUESTIONS AND OBJECTIONS ABOUT HELL”
by Charlie Campbell
CONTENT:
– 1. A God of love would never send anybody to Hell
– 2. God may send some people to Hell, but He’s not going to send good people to Hell
– 3. Why would God have created us, if He knew so many people would be eternally lost?
– 4. Couldn’t God have just created a world in which no one would end up in Hell?
– 5. What about those who have never heard of Jesus? Will they be condemned to Hell?
– 6. Why doesn’t God give people a second chance after death?
– 7. Why doesn’t God seek to reform sinners in some form of temporary purgatory?
– 8. It seems unfair that God would give out the same punishment to everyone who ends up in Hell
– 9. Why would God create Hell to be so horrible? I mean, come on! Gnashing of teeth? Darkness? Flames? Only a crazed ogre would create that kind of place!
– 10. All right, maybe Hell does exist, but I could never be happy in Heaven knowing my loved ones are in Hell
VIDEO:
“Answers to the Tough Questions About Hell” by Charlie Campbell (Recorded at Calvary Chapel Chino Hills, CA)
For more videos by Charlie Campbell, click here. To schedule Charlie to speak at your church, click here.
ADDITIONAL ARTICLES:
“Hell and Waterfalls” by Charlie Campbell
“Is Hellfire Literal?” by Don Stewart
“Will There Be Degrees of Judgment in Hell?” by Don Stewart
“What Did Early Christians Believe About Hell?” by J. Warner Wallace
Did Jesus go to Hell after the crucifixion? No. See articles by John Piper and Randy Alcorn and Ricky Powell
“Where is Everything Going in the Future?” by Norman Geisler
Responses to Rob Bell’s Book: Love Wins
“Annihilationism” by Norman Geisler
“Will Unbelievers Be Annihilated?” by Randy Alcorn
“Is Annihilationism Biblical?” by Michael Houdmann
“Is Annihilationism True?” by Matthew Slick
“Is Universalism Biblical?” by Ron Rhodes
“Is Reincarnation Biblical?” by Ron Rhodes
RECOMMENDED RESOURCES IN OUR ONLINE STORE:
ANSWERS TO THE TOUGH QUESTIONS ABOUT HELL
(DVD or mp4 video) by Charlie Campbell
Skeptics and critics of the Christian faith have raised some tough questions regarding the Bible’s teaching on Hell, questions like:
• How can a God of love send people to Hell?
• Why would God have created us if He knew in advance that so many people would end up in Hell?
• Does God send people to Hell if they’ve never heard of Jesus?
• Isn’t an everlasting existence in Hell an unjust punishment for the sins done in a finite life?
• Isn’t it unjust that God would give out the same punishment to everybody who ends up in Hell?
Length: 60 minutes.