In
many mythological, folklore and religious traditions, hell is a place of eternal torment in an afterlife, often after resurrection. It is viewed by
most Abrahamic traditions as a place of punishment. Religions with a linear divine history often depict hells as eternal
destinations. Religions with a cyclic history often depict a hell
as an intermediary period between incarnations. Typically these
traditions locate hell in another dimension or under the Earth‘s
surface and often include entrances to Hell from the land of the living. Other
afterlife destinations include Heaven, Purgatory, Paradise, and Limbo.
many mythological, folklore and religious traditions, hell is a place of eternal torment in an afterlife, often after resurrection. It is viewed by
most Abrahamic traditions as a place of punishment. Religions with a linear divine history often depict hells as eternal
destinations. Religions with a cyclic history often depict a hell
as an intermediary period between incarnations. Typically these
traditions locate hell in another dimension or under the Earth‘s
surface and often include entrances to Hell from the land of the living. Other
afterlife destinations include Heaven, Purgatory, Paradise, and Limbo.
Other
traditions, which do not conceive of the afterlife as a place of punishment or
reward, merely describe hell as an abode of the dead, a neutral place located
under the surface of Earth (for example, see sheol
and Hades).
Hell is sometimes portrayed as populated with demons
who torment those dwelling there. Many are ruled by a death god
such as Nergal, Hades, Hel, Enma
or the Devil.
traditions, which do not conceive of the afterlife as a place of punishment or
reward, merely describe hell as an abode of the dead, a neutral place located
under the surface of Earth (for example, see sheol
and Hades).
Hell is sometimes portrayed as populated with demons
who torment those dwelling there. Many are ruled by a death god
such as Nergal, Hades, Hel, Enma
or the Devil.
Christians view on hell
In Christian theology, hell
is the place or state into which by God’s definitive judgment unrepentant sinners pass either immediately
after death (particular judgment) or in the general judgment. Its
character is inferred from teaching in the biblical texts, some of which,
interpreted literally, have given rise to the popular idea of hell.
is the place or state into which by God’s definitive judgment unrepentant sinners pass either immediately
after death (particular judgment) or in the general judgment. Its
character is inferred from teaching in the biblical texts, some of which,
interpreted literally, have given rise to the popular idea of hell.
Theologians today generally
see hell as the logical consequence of using free will to reject union with God
and, because God will not force conformity, not incompatible with God’s justice
and mercy. Calvinists, on the other hand, believe hell is a consequence of
God’s justice for man’s sin, but reject the libertarian notion of free will.
see hell as the logical consequence of using free will to reject union with God
and, because God will not force conformity, not incompatible with God’s justice
and mercy. Calvinists, on the other hand, believe hell is a consequence of
God’s justice for man’s sin, but reject the libertarian notion of free will.
Different Hebrew and Greek
words are translated as “hell” in most
English-language Bibles. They include:
words are translated as “hell” in most
English-language Bibles. They include:
- “Sheol” in the Hebrew Bible, and “Hades” in the New Testament. Many modern versions, such as the New International Version, translate Sheol as “grave” and simply
transliterate “Hades”. It is generally agreed that both sheol and hades do not typically refer to
the place of eternal punishment, but to the grave, the temporary abode of
the dead, the underworld. - “Gehenna”
in the New Testament, where it is described as a place where both soul and
body could be destroyed (Matthew 10:28) in “unquenchable fire” (Mark 9:43). The word is translated as either
“hell” or “hell fire” in many English versions.
References
New Bible Dictionary third
edition, IVP 1996. Articles on “Hell”, “Sheol”.
edition, IVP 1996. Articles on “Hell”, “Sheol”.
Bruce Milne (1998). Know the Truth, 2nd ed.
IVP. p. 335.
IVP. p. 335.
Millard,
E. (2001). Introducing Christian Doctrine, 2nd ed. Baker Academic.
E. (2001). Introducing Christian Doctrine, 2nd ed. Baker Academic.
