Ben Witherington: Hell

Ben Witherington, another conservative evangelical New Testament Theologian, has chimed in on the topic of Hell due to the new book Love Wins by Rob Bell:

“Does the NT teach that 1) there is a Hell, and 2) some folks are going there (not necessarily in a handbasket), and 3)  they will experience eternal torment once there?  I have put the matter in three parts, because you could answer questions 1) and 2) with an emphatic yes,  and in fact say no to 3).”

Witherington goes on to address defining the Hebrew and Greek terms “forever” or “eternal” in relation to the temporal period of divine punishment (He doesn’t seem to give a conclusive position on this, but is open to various perspectives).  Then, looks at “Sheol” in the OT, “Hades” in the NT, and “Gehenna”/other NT references to “Hell.”  To top it off he also addresses the question: “are [people] consigned to Hell because they have never heard of the existence of Jesus?”  You can read his post for yourself if you are interested in his views on these matters.

But, in the end he concludes:

“I don’t think we can debate that the NT says there is a place we today call Hell, and that some people will end up there, because of their own choices and wickedness.  Whether they  will experience eternal torment is more debatable.   My advice however is that we abstain from pronouncing a final judgment on any human soul; that is Jesus’ job at the final judgment.  We simply don’t know the outcome of many who are not followers of Christ now….

What I am more sure of than ever, is that there is no salvation outside of Jesus Christ, and that in the end ‘every knee will bow and ever knee confess’  even those humans or demons who want to have nothing to do with Jesus thereafter.  Salvation in the end is not just a matter of being forced to recognize the truth — it’s about positively embracing and trusting that truth.  And there are apparently some who will never ever do that.  To them God says  “if you insist,  have it your way”.  Hell is the place you experience the absence of the presence of God for as long as you continue to exist.  Whether there is a time when Hell will cease to exist, like the crystal sea of Revelation, equally orthodox persons can debate.  Annihilation or destruction of Satan, Hell and its inhabitants is a possible interpretation of the eschatological endgame, but it is also possible Hell will go on ‘olam wu olam wu olam‘….

Hell in the New Testament is a constant reminder that there is a final accountability for our beliefs and behaviors in this life, whatever the particulars and temperature and durability of Hell may be.  It is a reminder that this life is basically the time of decision, and the decisions we make now can indeed have eternal consequences in the afterlife.  And, frankly,  this is not bad news.  It is a part of the Good News that in the end justice as well as mercy, righteousness as well as compassion, and holiness as well as love wins.  Thanks be to God.”