There is perhaps no teaching of Scripture that has been more maligned or misspoken of in recent days than that of hell. To alleviate these errors, Morgan and Peterson have written this brief booklet to reveal the Bible’s clear teaching on the reality and necessity of hell. Although these two authors have edited a much larger and more comprehensive work (Hell Under Fire) dealing with these issues, this functions as a serviceable introduction to the basics.

The Bible speaks truth, even when it says things we may not like. It is crucial that we hold to this. Otherwise, we may believe whatever we want to believe, rather than that which is actually true. [6]

The question Paul struggles to answer is not the modern one: “Would a loving God really send good people to hell?” Instead, Paul addresses this: “How could a just and holy God ever declare sinners to be righteous in His sight?” The contours of Paul’s answer are that we are all sinners and therefore all guilty, and our just punishment is hell. Most importantly, only Jesus’ saving work—His death and resurrection—can atone for sins. And not only is Christ the only way to be forgiven of our guilt, but only faith in Christ can bring that forgiveness. [8]

Hell is destruction in the sense that it is final and utter loss, ruin, or waste. This picture graphically illustrates that those in hell have failed to embrace the meaning of life and have wasted it. Trying to find life in themselves and sin, they forfeited true life. Only ruins remain. [15]

Although hell is not as central to the Christian worldview as God, sin, and Jesus' saving work are, it is clearly taught in the Word of God and is linked to these core tenets of the faith. [22]

Hell reminds us that being human comes with awesome privileges and responsibilities. To choose sin rather than God is a high crime indeed. While hell is in a sense an awful reality, sin is actually the ultimate horror of God’s universe. Hell is the punishment, but sin is the crime. Which is worse, murder or the life sentence? Obviously, the crime is worse than the punishment. The Bible is clear: sin is inherently against God, who is infinite in all His perfections. Sin, then, is an infinite evil and merits endless punishment. So from the perspective of human rebellion against our Maker, hell is not a horror in God’s universe, but a demonstration of final and decisive justice in a universe marred by the horror of sin. [25]

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The age-old question of how a good God can allow suffering is addressed by several authors in this compilation. The root of all suffering is explored, as is the way suffering is categorized and dealt with in Scripture. The final chapters, written from lessons learned in personal suffering, were of great value. Although this book can be a bit academic at times, it is a helpful resource for those desiring to give thought to this question. 

The Bible offers us much insight into who God is, who we are, where evil and suffering ultimately come from, how Christ suffered for us, how we are united to Him even in His sufferings, how we are to respond to suffering, and how suffering fits within the larger biblical story. Such truths are not magic wands that erase our pain, wipe away our fears, and answer all of our questions. But when joined with a loving church, strength from the indwelling Holy Spirit, and dependence on the Lord, biblical teachings help significantly. [21]

God is good and did not create suffering or evil. He created a good world for the good of his creatures. Humans too were created good and blessed beyond measure, being made in God’s image, with an unhindered relationship with God and with freedom. As a result, casting blame for suffering on the good and generous God is unbiblical and unfounded. [121]

When we encounter suffering, something inside us often cries out: “This is wrong! The world should not be like this! Children should not be abused, senior adults should not get Alzheimer’s, missionaries should not be tortured!” Or on a more personal level we might protest: “Why me? What did I do to deserve this?” Such instincts are valid because they recognize that this world is not the way it is supposed to be. We know this when we consider sin; we know to hate rape, murder, bigotry, and child abuse. We oppose sin and refuse to be at ease with it. In the same way, we are not to be comfortable with the reality of suffering, although we are to be at peace with God in the midst of it, and should do our best to alleviate it. [125]

We know that sin, suffering, and death are results of the fall, but if God is sovereign, why would he do it this way?...At its core, this aspect of the mystery of suffering is really the mystery of providence: why does God run his universe the way he does? After Job raises this and other questions to God, God turns the tables and poses the question back to Job, asking essentially: Do you know enough to run the world? Do you really believe you have some insights to offer me on how to guide history? Job learned that God’s providence is good, sovereign, wise, and mysterious. [127]

True freedom is not merely the ability to make choices, which human beings have always had. It is the ability to love and serve God unhindered by sin. And that freedom, enjoyed by Adam and Eve at creation, was forfeited in the fall. True freedom, although regained now in Christ, will be perfected only after the resurrection of the dead. On that day we will know, love, and enjoy God and fellow believers as our first parents did before the fall. [137] 

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