Concern for the present life has overpowered that for the life to come,' writes Paul Helm in the introduction to this timely study of the four 'last things': death, judgment, heaven and hell.

Biblical Teachings about Heaven and what the bible has to say about heaven. What am I to do with this life, What happens after this life, Where do we go after we die, are ll questions that one may ponder within themselves. Take a closer look into the bible and find wonderful truths that opens your heart and your mind to Beautiful Expectations of what is available to you.

Teach young children that Jesus came to end goodbyes.Jesus knew how scary it is when someone gets really sick. He knew how sad it is when someone dies. Jesus cried when his friend, Lazarus, died. But he did something at his friend’s tomb that changed everything. He showed that he came to give his friend’s life in the land that lies after our dying.In this vivid, moving and exciting retelling of the story of Lazarus, Lauren Chandler helps children understand how Jesus makes all the difference to death. Children will see that because Jesus rose from death, he has power over it and all who believe in him will also rise, just as Lazarus did.The author, Lauren Chandler, used the story of Lazarus to help her own children come to terms with her husband’s (Matt Chandler) brain tumor. Whether children are coming to terms with the illness or death of a loved one, or simply fearful of when that day might come, this book reassures them with the amazing truth that Jesus came to to say goodbye to goodbyes — forever.

The Lord’s Prayer is a treasure trove for every Christian’s spiritual journey.Every day, Christians around the world recite the Lord’s Prayer. But could we drink more deeply from this sacred gift? Author and Bible teacher Becky Harling thinks so—after immersing herself in the Our Father prayer, she has found herself more deeply and profoundly in love with Jesus and passionate about following Him. In this 6-week Bible study, Becky shares six life-changing invitations that Jesus offers every believer through this prayer. Jesus warmly invites us: to know God as Father to worship to surrender to ask audaciously to find freedom through forgiveness to live victoriouslyWe are living in a time of increasing fear and depression, a time of disenchantment and disappointment. But there is healing for our souls in the Lord’s Prayer. The Lord’s Prayer not only teaches deep theology about our relationship with God but also about our relationship with others. Christians will come to repeat the Our Father prayer thoughtfully and lovingly. Join Becky Harling in reclaiming the beauty, boldness, and blessing offered to every believer through the Our Father prayer.

Most contemporary Christians acknowledge the doctrine of hell, but they’d rather not think about how God punishes the wicked. The authors of Four Views on Hell meet this subject head-on with different views on what the Scriptures say. Is hell to be understood literally as a place of eternal smoke and flames? Or are such images simply metaphors for a real but different form of punishment? Is there such a thing as “conditional immortality,” in which God annihilates the souls of the wicked rather than punishing them endlessly? Is there a Purgatory, and if so, how does it fit into the picture? The interactive Counterpoints forum allows the reader to see the four views on hell—literal, metaphorical, conditional, and purgatorial—in interaction with each other. Each view in turn is presented, critiqued, and defended. This evenhanded approach is ideal for comparing and contrasting views in order to form a personal conclusion about one of Christianity’s key doctrines. The Counterpoints series provides a forum for comparison and critique of different views on issues important to Christians. Counterpoints books address two categories: Church Life and Bible and Theology. Complete your library with other books in the Counterpoints series.

What will heaven be like? Answering this question for kids can be challenging, especially as it's hard to get past the myths. This beautifully illustrated, biblically faithful storybook by Joni Eareckson Tada excites children with this truth--that when Jesus comes back to this world, he will bring heaven with him! There will be a new creation where we'll have new hearts and a new body, living in a new city. And best of all, we'll be with Jesus, forever! It will be better than we can ever imagine. Kids are encouraged to respond to Jesus' invitation personally by repenting and believing. They will also be inspired to invite others, and to ask Jesus to come soon.

The mythical story of fallen angels preserved in 1 Enoch and related literature was profoundly influential during the Second Temple period. In this volume renowned scholar Loren Stuckenbruck explores aspects of that influence and demonstrates how the myth was reused and adapted to address new religious and cultural contexts. Stuckenbruck considers a variety of themes, including demonology, giants, exorcism, petitionary prayer, the birth and activity of Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the conversion of Gentiles, "apocalyptic" and the understanding of time, and more. He also offers a theological framework for the myth of fallen angels through which to reconsider several New Testament texts—the Synoptic Gospels, the Gospel of John, Acts, Paul's letters, and the book of Revelation.

Find Daily Peace in a World of ChaosThe unpredictable, unprecedented repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic have upset nearly every facet of life. For many, the hope of returning to “normal” has slowly given way to fear of the unknown. To cling to what’s certain in a time of uncertainty, to find peace when anxiety abounds, look to the Psalms.Psalms for the Anxious Heart is a short, daily devotional that offers meditations of truth and peace. Each devotion includes a reading of a Psalm, a brief teaching on the passage, a salient truth to cling to, and a suggested song to guide further meditation. Enter the Psalms and find relief and hope for your anxious heart in these trying times.

Death is one of the certainties of life. But what happens beyond death? What inexpressible wonders--or unspeakable horrors--will we encounter beyond the pale of this life? The topic of life and judgment beyond death is one that has occupied the minds of Christians in former eras but today seems to be in partial eclipse. As Bruce Milne argues, we are poorer for it--without even recognizing our poverty. There is such a thing as being so heavenly minded that we are of no earthly good. But there is also such a thing as being so unheavenly minded that we lose sense of earthly good and the gravity of life in the present. This is far more dangerous. In The Message of Heaven and Hell, Milne guides us from Genesis to Revelation, stopping to examine key texts that illumine the destiny of humanity, the nature of heaven and hell and the glory of life everlasting in the presence of God.

This volume explores significant areas of debate amongst evangelical Christians on aspects of death and the afterlife. The study begins by setting out the perspectives of our contemporary culture and the biblical world before highlighting the traditional understanding of the biblical perspective and the issues over which evangelicals have become more polarized. These more controversial areas are examined in the subsequent chapters. Williamson demonstrates that there is considerable exegetical support for the traditional evangelical understanding of death and the afterlife, and raises questions about the basis for increasingly popular alternative understandings.

Someday Heaven provides biblically based answers on a topic that’s not always easy to explain to a young child. The warm, illuminating art of Wayne McLoughlin helps to convey each touching story of the future God promises to his children. Help your child discover the answers to the wonders of God’s mysterious and glorious home with Someday Heaven.

Good parenting depends on good communication. The problem is, we parents tend to over-talk. Not only is this ineffective, it discourages children from sharing what's on their hearts. In this immensely practical book, communications expert Becky Harling shares the best listening practices to transform your family's relationships and set your childrenup for success, including how to· help them express their feelings in healthy ways· listen to affirm their strengths· model how to navigate conflict with grace· listen to God, knowing that he "bends down to listen" to us (Psalm 116:2 nlt)Whether your son or daughter is in preschool, grade school, or high school, intentional listening will help them feel heard, valued, and empowered to find their unique voice. The practices you put into place now will set a foundation for strong relationships into adulthood.

There is a world to come awaiting both sinner and saint. Our culture is consumed with a fascination for theories about the end times and what will occur after that, but instead, this book presents the biblical teaching on what will happen after death, at the end of time, and for all of eternity. \nWatts is clear about the joys of heaven to be realized by the saint, as well as the eternal duration of hell prepared for the unbeliever—a topic most relevant in our day when so many are accepting the doctrine of annihilationism. What is especially useful about this book is that Watts goes beyond just proclaiming the biblical doctrines of heaven and hell; he also presents practical instruction on how to prepare for death, both for the saint and sinner. \nThere is a section in which Watts attempts to prove a separate state for the souls between death and resurrection. This book includes a biographical sketch of Isaac Watts.

From best-selling and beloved author Christne Harder Tangvald comes an updated and revised edition of her classic book of comfort for grieving children, filled with heart-healing words, fresh watercolor illustrations, and practical resources that help adults guide children through loss.\nFirst published in 1988, Someone I Love Died has long comforted the hearts of children 4 to 8 who have lost someone close. It gently leads children through grief with age-appropriate words and solid biblical truth that understands a child's hurting heart. The added interactive resources ensure this book will become a treasured keepsake. Once complete, children create a memory book of the loved one's life. And it offers grown-ups a tool that turns what could be a difficult season into a meaningful time of healing.

When stress abounds, soothe your anxious heart with peace and praise.From constant waves of negative news to meeting family, career, and community needs, women today often feel more anxious than ever. Amidst the clamor of the world and the internal longings for peace, our overwhelming need is for more of God’s extraordinary presence, peace, and power in our lives.Join Becky Harling for a 6-week study that looks to Psalm 94:19: “When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy!” The Extraordinary Power of Praise will help you put into practice the two-step process for soothing an anxious heart: finding joy to replace anxiety and learning to pour out our hearts to God in praise. Each day includes a study of a Psalm, thought provoking questions, and short morning and evening prayers. You’ll also find suggested praise songs and prayer journaling prompts to help you engage more deeply with God. As you meditate on the Psalms throughout this 6-week study, you’ll experience the genuine joy of God’s presence, develop a positive outlook in the midst of the world’s stress, and find victory over fear and anxiety.The Extraordinary Power of Praise is suited for both individual and group use. For more of Becky’s engaging, empathetic Bible teaching, go deeper into this study with the companion video series, available on Vimeo or for download. You can also find more peace through the Psalms with Becky’s latest daily devotional Psalms for the Anxious Heart.

This gentle story provides satisfying answers for a young child’s most difficult questions about what happens after this life, inviting “little cubs” to find comfort in knowing that God Gave Us Heaven—part of the bestselling God Gave Us series, with more than 5 million books sold!As the sun rises on her snow-covered world, Little Cub wonders aloud . . .“What is heaven like?”With tender words, her Papa describes a wonderful place, free of sadness and tears, where God warmly welcomes his loved ones after their life on earth is over. Little Cub and Papa spend the day wandering their beautiful, invigorating arctic world while she asks all about God’s home: How do we get to heaven? Will we eat there? Will I get to see you in heaven? Papa patiently answers each question, assuring her that . . .“Heaven will be full of everything good.”

One popular book after another claims to have the answers. Personal accounts of near-death experiences, descriptions of what happens to our physical bodies, differing theories about heaven and hell - what does the Bible have to say about all this?Douglas Connelly has looked at what Scripture has to say and can help you understand what it means for you. This book evaluates near-death experiences while offering a biblical picture of heaven and hell. It also addresses difficult issues like euthanasia.Death is one fear our high-tech culture cannot eliminate, but we can find assurance in Christ. Amid a flood of fanciful opinions, this book offers true hope.

In a language kids can understand, Randy Alcorn explores Biblical answers to the questions kids often have about heaven. As in the adult title, Heaven, he addresses the difference between the present Heaven, where we go when we die, and the New Earth, where we will live forever with Jesus after he returns. Intended for kids age 8-12, Heaven for Kids is sure to be an excellent resource for families, especially those in which the parents have read the adult title and wish to pass on that same level of understanding to their children. The book features ten chapters of questions, and answers based on scripture and written in a style relevant to today's kids. The book also has a summary of the Gospel for those who want to be sure they are going to Heaven someday. Randy encourages kids to live “in Light of Heaven.”

Will anything of us survive after death? This is a central question when we ask what life means. All through history, societies and their cultures, in particular their religions and philosophies, have guided and sustained people as they have approached death and as they have mourned. A more secular society has made these comforts less accessible. Many beliefs formerly advanced with some authority and believed with some assurance have become incredible to many.After Death? offers a thought-provoking analysis of past and present beliefs for those who want to think for themselves about the greatest uncertainty of life.

Ten-year-old Jake struggles to understand his grandma's death. But as he spends two weeks at his grandfather's home, he is able to receive answers to his questions about Heaven.\nAs Jake and Grandpa fish, watch the stars, and take long walks, Grandpa shares what the Bible says about the reality and beauty of Heaven. As Jake learns the truth about Heaven, he begins to better understand and accept his grandmother's death.\nAs readers uncover the truths in the dialogue between Grandpa and Jake, they will better appreciate the home that awaits all who place their faith in Christ.

Part 1 delineates the array of positions - including liberal, Catholic, and Protestant stances - taken on the destiny of the unevangelized. In part 2 the author probes the critical issues, including the role of general revelation, the possibility of salvation after death, the requirements of salvation, the number of the redeemed, and the problem of annihilationism. In the final part, Erickson tackles two practical areas: (1) the fate of those who die in infancy and others who do not reach the age of accountability and (2) how the subject of the destiny of the unevangelized affects evangelism and missions.

Voted one of Christianity Today's 1996 Books of the Year What is the fate of those who die never hearing the gospel? Do Hindus, Jews, agnostics and others who do not profess faith in Christ really suffer damnation after death? These and similar questions have long been contemplated by people from every religious persuasion and every walk of life. But in a culture of increasing diversity and growing doubt in the existence of "objective truth," it seems ever more pressing. In this book three scholars present the span of evangelical conviction on the destiny of the unevangelized. Ronald Nash argues the restrictivist position, that receptive knowledge of Jesus Christ in this life is necessary to salvation. Gabriel Fackre advocates divine perseverance, with the expectation that those who die unevangelized receive an opportunity for salvation after death. And John Sanders sets forth the inclusivist case--asserting that though God saves people only through the work of Jesus Christ, some may be saved even if they do not know about Christ. As each scholar presents his own case and responds to strengths and weaknesses of differing positions, readers are treated to a lively and informative debate. What About Those Who Have Never Heard? is a truly helpful book on one of today's--and every day's--most crucial questions.

Move over Wonderland, and step aside Oz. There's nothing make-believe about Heaven, the Ultimate Land of Surprises. Not sad or somber, this beautifully illustrated and fluidly rhyming book is a collection of joy, comfort, and hope featuring over 40 Bible promises. A book is a celebration for every reader of every stage of life.

Soon after his popular A Travel Guide to Heaven was published, bestselling author Anthony DeStefano recognized that children also have many questions about heaven. In celebration of the tenth anniversary of that book, Anthony wrote this fun-filled, action story about a little boy named Joey who gets to take a whirlwind tour of heaven with his guardian angel, Gabby. Artist Erwin Madrid’s stunning illustrations bring the story to life, showing heaven to be a place where everyone is happy, the animals all get along, and God’s glory is more amazing than anything Joey had ever seen in his whole life.\nThis long-awaited children’s edition will quickly become a favorite for the reader and the child alike. Imagine the comfort and peace children will experience when they hear about this incredible place God has prepared for them.

Heaven is for real, and you are going to like it!\nColton Burpo came back from his trip to heaven with a very important message: Jesus really, really loves children. In an effort to reach even more families with this eternally significant story, this runaway bestseller is now told from Colton―kid to kids! Children will receive the same comfort and assurance that so many adults have received from the trade book.\nBeautifully illustrated under Colton's direction, he shares his experiences in first person and comments on things that will be important to kids. A letter to parents is included to guide them as they talk to their children about heaven. Scripture along with a Q&A section with answers from the Bible are also included in the book.

A fascinating, Bible-based look at life after death and the true meaning of the much-publicized "near death" experiences. By presenting the very latest scientific, philosophical, anthropological, ethical, and theological evidence on the topic, the authors confirm the timeless truth and validity of the Bible's teachings about life after death.

Of the many doctrinal challenges facing the church today, the most critical may be opposition to the traditional, biblical view of God and the doctrine of salvation. For centuries Christians agreed that God is sovereign, that He does not change, that He is both kind and all-powerful. Yet in recent decades process theologians have regularly depicted God as a constantly evolving deity, and postmodernists have defined Him in diverse, even contradictory ways. A number of scholars--some with evangelical roots or affiliations--have even gone so far as to claim that salvation may come through other religions and not exclusively through a conscious personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Given these internal and external challenges, evangelical Christianity must reassert the inerrant, biblical definition of God and the doctrine of salvation, and do so in a way that is convincing in our postmodern setting. That is the goal of Who Will Be Saved? Some of the most significant figures in evangelical theology--including Carl F.H. Henry, D. A. Carson, and R. Albert Mohler--explore the traditional view of salvation through a contemporary lens, beginning with the doctrine of God as the author of salvation. They then move on to the pressing matters confronting Christians today--the exclusivity of Christianity, the work of the church, our evangelism strategies--that are driven by one's conclusions about the doctrine of God. The biblical response to inclusivist perspectives presented here will empower Christians to faithfully and convincingly continue declaring the gospel message in these postmodern times.

Foreword by Gabriel Fackre Will God one day save all people through Christ's atoning work? That is the question at the heart of the debate in this volume -- a debate sure to challenge readers, whatever their current perspective. Featuring evangelical writers of exceptional insight and sensitivity, Universal Salvation? offers a conversation worth everyone's attention. The volume opens with a rigorous three-part defense of Christian universalism by philosopher Thomas Talbott, who argues that Scripture teaches the ultimate salvation of all people, including those in hell. Gabriel Fackre in his foreword calls Talbott's work "the most thoughtfully wrought argument for universalism to date from within the contemporary evangelical community." The rest of the book gathers incisive responses to Talbott by Christian scholars from different disciplines, who evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of Talbott's arguments, take his thought in new directions, or explain why they think he is mistaken. Talbott then responds to his critics. The aim of this volume is not to persuade people that universalism is true but to open up a fairer debate on a controversial subject of continuing importance to theologians and nontheologians alike. By exploring universal salvation from biblical, philosophical, theological, and historical perspectives, the book helps readers think through the issues more carefully than has been possible with resources previously available.

Well-known for his historical accounts of Satan and hell, Jeffrey Burton Russell here explores the brighter side of eternity: heaven. Dispensing with the cliché images of goodness that can make even heaven seem unbearable, the author stimulates our imagination with a history of how the joy of paradise has been conceived by writers, philosophers, and artists for whom heaven was an imminent reality. Russell not only explores concepts found among the ancient Jews, Greeks, and Romans as well as early and medieval Christians, but also addresses the intellectual problems heaven poses: how does time "pass" in eternity? is heaven a place or a state? who is in and who is not? what happens to the body and soul between death and Judgment Day? Russell stresses that the best way to approach the logic-defying concept of a place occupying neither space nor time is through poetry and paradox, and through the visions of such mystics as Bernard, Julian of Norwich, and Eckhart. After the Revelation of Saint John the Divine, the most sublime and encompassing portrait of heaven to date has come not from a theologian but from a poet--Dante Alighieri in his Divine Comedy. Russell's history of heaven culminates in a lively analysis of how Dante described the glories of the indescribable. The unsurpassed images of light, movement, and community that Dante uses so skillfully to convey the presence of God are rooted in the Jewish picture of heaven as a garden or court and in the Greek picture of the Elysian Fields. Using current scholarly insights together with a vast store of knowledge gathered from the past, Russell takes the idea of heaven as valid and important in itself--something to be understood from the point of view of those believing in it. His very use of language immerses us in the thoughts of those who have sought heaven and provides rich material for contemplation.

The book is a back and forth between the late John Stott and liberal church historian David Edwards.In each of the six chapters, Edwards presents his views about various controversial topics, and John Stott responds.Edwards retired in 1994 as Provost of Southwark Cathedral in London. John Stott was born in London, England on April 27, 1921. He converted to Christianity in 1938. He graduated with a double first in French and theology from Trinity College, Cambridge University. He was ordained in the Church of England in 1945.

Few of us can remain indifferent to our personal fate. Is death the end? If there is an after-life, what is it going to be like? Will we be absorbed into a spiritual realm? Will we still have some kind of body? "We may never know the answers to these questions with the certainty some crave," observes Graham Twelftree. "However, through this book I hope readers will become clearer about the possibilities and also understand the Christian expectation that death is not the end - at least for those who die in Christ. "If the Bible is important in forming your views you will probably assume that this book will confirm your views. I cannot promise such a comfortable journey. Thinking clearly with the Bible open can turn up some challenging conclusions."

What becomes of the wicked? Hell―exile from God, subjection to fire, worms, and darkness―for centuries the idea has shaped the dread of malefactors, the solace of victims, and the deterrence of believers. Although we may associate the notion of hell with Christian beliefs, its gradual emergence depended on conflicting notions that pervaded the Mediterranean world more than a millennium before the birth of Christ. Asking just why and how belief in hell arose, Alan E. Bernstein takes us back to those times and offers us a comparative view of the philosophy, poetry, folklore, myth, and theology of that formative age.\nBernstein draws on sources from ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece, Rome, and Israel, as well as early Christian writings through Augustine, in order to reconstruct the story of the prophets, priests, poets, and charismatic leaders who fashioned concepts of hell from an array of perspectives on death and justice. The author traces hell's formation through close readings of works including the epics of Homer and Vergil, the satires of Lucian, the dialogues of Plato and Plutarch, the legends of Enoch, the confessions of the Psalms, the prophecies of Isaiah, Ezechiel, and Daniel, and the parables of Jesus. Reenacting lively debates about the nature of hell among the common people and the elites of diverse religious traditions, he provides new insight into the social implications and the psychological consequences of different visions of the afterlife.\nThis superb account of a central image in Western culture will captivate readers interested in history, mythology, literature, psychology, philosophy, and religion.

Nobody can think seriously about hell and remain emotionally and psychologically unaffected. The idea that after a few years of life on earth an untold number of human beings, many of whom would be th

Christ came to save the world; so isn't everyone saved?If God is love, why would he punish sinners? Won't God give people a second chance after death? What will hell be like? In this revealing book, evangelist Ajith Fernando grapples with these critical questions in easily understood and compassionate terms, always regarding the ultimate concern: that people turn toward God's merciful offer of salvation.

Hell is real and terrible. It is the fate of those who reject God. Evangelicals agree about this unhappy truth. Yet on some questions about hell disagreements arise. Some evangelicals believe the wicked will experience perpetual, conscious torment after death. Others argue that the wicked will experience a limited period of conscious punishment and then they will cease to exist. In this book you will find an irenic yet frank debate between two evangelical theologians who present strong scriptural and theological evidence for and against each view. Both make a case that their view is more consistent with Scripture and with the holy and just nature of a loving God. Robert Peterson defends the traditional view that those who do not have faith in Christ will suffer eternally in hell. Edward Fudge advocates the conditionalist perspective that after a period of suffering, the unfaithful will experience a complete extinguishing, or annihilation, of existence. In addition, each author presents a rebuttal to the viewpoint of the other. Here is a dialogue that will inform and challenge those on both sides, while impressing on all the need for faithful proclamation of the gospel of deliverance from sin and death.

The doctrine of hell presents the most intractable version of the problem of evil, for though it might be argued that ordinary pain and evil can somehow be compensated for by the course of future experience, the pain and suffering of hell leads nowhere. This work develops an understanding of hell that is common to a broad variety of religious perspectives, and argues that the usual understandings of hell are incapable of solving the problem of hell. Kvanvig first argues that the traditional understanding of hell found in Christianity suffers from moral and epistemological inadequacies. Historically, these shortcomings lead to alternatives to the traditional doctrine of hell, such as universalism, annihilationism, or the second chance doctrine. Kvanvig shows, however, that the typical alternatives to the traditional understanding are inadequate as well. He argues that both the traditional understanding and the typical alternatives fail to solve the problem of hell because they share the common flaw of being constructed on a retributive model of hell. Kvanvig then develops a philosophical account of hell which does not depend on a retributive model and argues that it is adequate on both philosophical and theological grounds.

Randy Klassen 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.

Is belief in hell necessary for true, evangelical faith? Is the doctrine of hell the teaching of the Scripture? The Battle for Hell surveys and evaluates the growing belief in the doctrine of annihilationism among evangelicals. Instead of non-Christians suffering forever in an eternal hell, a growing number of scholars hold that the non-Christian will be obliterated into non-existence. Moore critiques this doctrine of annihilationism with the presupposition that many Christians have misunderstood the nature of hell. The book also provides exegetical evidence from Scripture that will help to address the tough emotional struggles many people have with the doctrine of hell.

Hell is the most offensive and least acceptable of all Christian doctrines. We try to ignore it but it won t go away. Better to face the truth, even if it hurts. I am convinced that the recovery of this neglected truth is vital to the health of Christ s body. David Pawson Many preachers are reluctant to explain what the Bible teaches about hell. David Pawson sets out clearly the teaching of the New Testament on this vital topic. The book includes a section of Scripture Studies which are useful for personal and group study and to equip preachers. Most of Christ s teaching on this uncomfortable subject was addressed to his followers, yet it hardly features in sermons today. Challenging the modern alternatives of liberal universalism and evangelical annihilationism, David Pawson presents the traditional concept of endless torment as soundly biblical, illustrating his argument with in-depth Scripture studies on controversial passages. Heaven is also a reality, he affirms, but it is hell which is being overlooked.

I welcome this rigorous examination of some of the many questions which are raised by the doctrine of hell. At a time when it is rare to hear even heaven spoken about in our churches, it is encouraging that this sober theme is once more in our sights. It was plainly often on the lips of Jesus. - Nigel M. de S. Cameron, Trinity International University Dr Powys has pursued a rigorous examination of the Scriptures . . . He rivets our attention on what the New Testament actually says about the fate of the unrighteous. This is a seminal work. - David Claydon, Federal Secretary, CMS, Australia The author, writing from a position of biblical conservatism, has presented a powerful, convincing and scholarly case for the view that the unrighteous will forfeit resurrection life in the Kingdom of God. It is, in my judgment, the most thorough treatment of the issue in recent years. - John W. Pryor, Macquarie University This book is an impressive, thorough discussion of a thorny question. Dr Powys is at home in many branches of biblical studies . . . He examines the biblical evidence carefully and sets his case out lucidly and with real insight, showing convincingly how ill-founded are many ancient and many recent views on the fate of the unrighteous. His own solution of a set of complex exegetical and theological issues is judicious and clearly the end result of careful thought. - from the Foreword by Graham Stanton, University of Cambridge David Powys has made a significant contribution to an increasingly important debate. His book's real strength lies in its very careful study of New Testament teaching in the light of a comprehensive analysis of the Old Testament and Jewish literature. This literature is rightly seen not merely as background but as the key to a right understanding of the New Testament teaching. I wish that such a clear discussion had been available when I first began engaging with these questions. - Stephen Travis, St John's College, Nottingham David Powys was educated at The University of Melbourne. He gained degrees in arts and social work, studied theology at Ridley College, and was ordained in 1981. Dr Powys has ministered in four Melbourne parishes. He is an Examining Chaplain to the Archbishop of Melbourne and a member of Archbishop in Council and National Synod. He was awarded the Doctor of Theology by the Australian College of Theology in 1994 for his The Hermeneutics of 'Hell'. The present volume is a slightly abbreviated version of that dissertation.

Jerry L. Walls cogently argues that some traditional views of hell are still defensible and can be believed with intellectual and moral integrity. Focusing on the issues from the standpoint of philosophical theology, he explores the doctrine of hell in relation to both the divine nature and human nature. He argues, with respect to divine nature, that some versions of the doctrine are compatible not only with God's omnipotence and omniscience, but also with a strong account of His perfect goodness. The concept of divine goodness receives special attention since the doctrine of hell is most often rejected on moral grounds. In addition, Walls maintains that the doctrine of hell is intelligible from the standpoint of human freedom, since the idea of a decisive choice of evil is a coherent one.

Millions of Christians have struggled with how to reconcile God's love and God's judgment: Has God created billions of people over thousands of years only to select a few to go to heaven and everyone else to suffer forever in hell? Is this acceptable to God? How is this "good news?" Troubling questions--so troubling that many have lost their faith because of them. Others only whisper the questions to themselves, fearing or being taught that they might lose their faith and their church if they ask them out loud. But what if these questions trouble us for good reason? What if the story of heaven and hell we have been taught is not, in fact, what the Bible teaches? What if what Jesus meant by "heaven," "hell," and salvation" are very different from how we have come to understand them? What if it is God who wants us to face these questions? Author, pastor, and innovative teacher Rob Bell presents a deeply biblical vision for rediscovering a richer, grander, truer, and more spiritually satisfying way of understanding heaven, hell, God, Jesus, salvation, and repentance. The result is the discovery that the "good news" is much, much better than we ever imagined. Love wins.

Rob Bell’s book, Love Wins, has generated a national conversation about ultimate issues, such as the nature of hell, heaven, and the ultimate destiny of humankind. Yet, the book has also created unnecessary confusion. God Wins is a response to the provocative questions Love Wins has raised. In God Wins, Mark Galli explores the important questions that are left unasked and the issues left uncharted. Mark shows how Love Wins is not enough―and that there is even better news for our world. Includes a group-discussion guide with relevant Scripture passages.

In this highly readable and wonderfully engaging response to Rob Bell’s New York Times best seller Love Wins, Michael Wittmer examines Bell’s claims about “heaven, hell, and the fate of every person who ever lived” in the light of the Bible and historic Christian doctrine. Wittmer writes in the introduction, “I respect Rob Bell. He wrote Love Wins to start a dialogue about the most important issues of our faith, and this book is my attempt as an evangelical to join that conversation.” \nTHE AUTHORS \nMichael E. Wittmer, Ph.D., teaches systematic and historical theology at Grand Rapids Theological Seminary. His previous books include Heaven Is a Place on Earth: Why Everything You Do Matters to God, and Don’t Stop Believing: Why Living like Jesus Is Not Enough. He resides in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with his wife and children and speaks widely. Michael S. Horton, Ph.D., is the J. Gresham Machen Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics, Westminster Seminary California; president of the White Horse Inn; and editor-in-chief of Modern Reformation magazine. \nFROM THE PREFACE BY MICHAEL S. HORTON \n“[Rob Bell] gave us a wake-up call and Michael Wittmer has answered it... Offering more light than heat, Christ Alone appreciates the attractiveness of Bell’s questions and conclusions.... Avoiding caricature and personal attack, he carefully evaluates Bell’s interpretations of Scripture. It’s not a careless diatribe against a book, but filled with pastoral wisdom for perennial questions.” \n"With clarity and a gracious spirit, Wittmer provides a resource that I can hand my parishioners who are seeking answers to the questions raised in Rob Bell’s Love Wins." -- Pastor David Beelen, Madison Square Church, Grand Rapids, MI \n"Christ Alone is a gracious, respectful biblical and theological engagement with Love Wins. Wittmer’s astute questions help readers discern the strengths and weaknesses of Rob Bell’s positions.-- Professor Darwin Glassford, Calvin Theological Seminary \n"Written by one of our best and most engaging systematic theologians…. Buy the book and buy one for a confused friend."-- Owen Strachan, Instructor of Christian Theology and Church History, Boyce College \n"... a tour-de-force, brilliant in its critique and gracious in its tone."-- Trevin Wax, Kingdom People Blog \n" Regardless of what one thinks of Bell, I encourage everyone to read this book carefully and prayerfully. It is good, strong spiritual and theological medicine indeed."-- Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch \n"In terms of the quality of Wittmer’s book, I am as impressed as I am stunned…. [I]t is cogent, thorough, well-thought out, well-written, and well-edited. He should be proud."-- Father Rick Morley, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Basking Ridge, NJ

How could a loving God send people to hell? Will people have a chance after they die to believe in Jesus and go to heaven? With a humble respect for God's Word, Francis Chan and Preston Sprinkle address the deepest questions you have about eternal destiny. They've asked the same questions. Like you, sometimes they just don't want to believe in hell. But as they write, "We cannot afford to be wrong on this issue." This is not a book about who is saying what. It's a book about what God says. It's not a book about impersonal theological issues. It's a book about people who God loves. It's not a book about arguments, doctrine, or being right. It's a book about the character of God. Erasing Hell will immerse you in the truth of Scripture as, together with the authors, you find not only the truth but the courage to live it out.

The authors show how to how to preach the bible's apocalyptic texts while avoiding the most common pitfalls and mistakes.

This book brings into focus the resurrection message of the New Testament. The chapters demonstrate how the resurrection both provides the basis for joyful living now despite the shadow of death and undergirds the Christian belief in a future after death.

Recent years have seen much controversy regarding hell: Do we go to heaven or hell when we die? Or do we cease to exist? Are believers and unbelievers ultimately saved in the end?\nThis second edition of Four Views on Hell, featuring all new contributors, highlights why the church still needs to wrestle with the doctrine of hell. In the familiar counterpoints format, four leading scholars introduce us to the current views on eternal judgment, with particular attention being given to the new voices that have entered the debate.\nContributors and views include:\n\nDenny Burk: Eternal Conscious Torment\nJohn Stackhouse: Annihilationism (Conditional Immortality)\nRobin Parry: Universalism (Ultimate Reconciliation)\nJerry Walls: Purgatory\n\nGeneral editor Preston Sprinkle concludes the discussion by evaluating each view, noting significant points of exchange between the essayists. The interactive nature of the volume allows the reader to reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of each view and come to an informed conclusion.