Product Description

Who wants to read a book on hell? Doesn't the daily news already include enough negativity? But this book is more about the kind of God we worship. Does this God consent to the eternal roasting of sinners over an open flame? If God is more like the Parent Jesus revealed, even offering forgiveness before it was requested, as Jesus did on the cross, what do biblical references to hell actually mean?

This book studies every significant reference to hell in the Bible, seeking an interpretation that both takes the Bible seriously as the very Word of God and harmonizes with the character of the God and "Abba" revealed through Jesus Christ.

Because the nature of hell is a "living issue" that deserves serious discussion and an examination of various ways Christians understand the topic, _What Does the Bible Really Say about Hell_ is a volume in the Pandora Press U.S. Living Issues Discussion Series. All books in the series, including this one, provide guidelines for discussion as well as comments from respondents who begin the conversation through freedom not only to affirm but also to disagree with the author's conclusions.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #609260 in Books
• Published on: 2001-02
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 164 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Mennonite minister Randolph Klassen does battle with the devil in What Does the Bible Say About Hell? Wrestling with the Traditional View. He addresses every reference to hell in the Bible, offering separate chapters on Acts, the Old Testament, the Gospels and the Epistles. He rejects the traditional notion of hell as a place of eternal torment for the wicked, claiming that such as view "fails the test of justice": in other words, a just and loving God would not sanction eternal suffering with no possibility of parole. Klassen's voice is gentle and pastoral as he analyzes reasons why many individuals need a belief in hell to scare them into heaven.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From the Back Cover
"Klassen's voice," says Publishers Weekly, "is gentle and pastoral as he analyzes reasons why many individuals need a belief in hell to scare them into heaven."

"Klassen is to be commended for writing this book. What he has done so well is examine carefully all significant references to hell in the Old and New Testaments and shown that none provides clear evidence of the existence of hell as commonly understood." --Peter J. Dyck's latest book is Getting Home Before Dark

"Readers will be encouraged to focus on the grace of Jesus Christ, a grace not complete until the last sheep is found (Matt. 18) and the lost son comes home (Luke 15)." --Robert K. Johnston, Professor of Theology and Culture, Fuller Theological Seminary

"This book resourcefully speaks to the fundamental questions that quite likely will draw readers to it, and in the process shows us all how serious and useful biblical interpretation can be done. " --Nancy R. Heisey, Associate Professor of Biblical Studies and Church History, Eastern Mennonite University; President-Elect, Mennonite World Conference

"As always in Klassen's work, the note of hope sounds clear and there is logic in the approach, buttressed by his searching of Scripture. There is boldness about it which is a great gift to the church: he presses readers to deal with the issue, whatever they may conclude." --Jim Hawkinson, former editor, The Covenant Companion; Executive Secretary, Covenant Publications

"Is hell real? Klassen's response to this challenging question steers clear of a pat answer." --Rev. Evelyn Johnson, Conference Superintendent, Pacific Southwest Conference, Evangelical Covenant Church

About the Author
During the past forty years, Randy Klassen, San Andreas, California, has served established churches and developed new ones, written many articles and books, including Jesus' Word, Jesus' Way (Herald Press, 1992), and done seminary teaching. He has painted thousands of watercolors, some of them award-winning. As one who knows firsthand the pain of failure and the pleasure of success, Klassen's greatest joy is sharing the gracious love of God.