The Geography of Hell in the Teaching of Jesus: Gehena, Hades, the Abyss, the Outer Darkness Where There Is Weeping and Gnashing of Teeth

Product Description

The topic of hell has held a strange fascination for believers through the centuries, becoming the subject of paintings, sermons, books, articles, and much more. For many it has been a source of terror, for most a wellspring of questions. Is there such a thing as hell? How long will it last? Who will go there? Is hell fair? In this study, Kim Papaioannou tackles the topic at its most foundational level, in the words and teaching of Jesus. Rather than attempt overarching and all-encompassing answers, he begins instead with a detailed study of the relevant texts and builds from there upwards. The result is a picture that is not only coherent and satisfying, but more importantly, solidly based on biblical exegesis of the most refined nature. Papaioannou concludes by putting hell into a more palatable and biblically sound perspective. Though unreservedly scholarly, the study is written in such a way that lay readers can understand and enjoy it.

Review

In recent years, many Christians, among them a goodly number of evangelicals, have concluded that the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ will not make the wicked suffer unending, conscious torment in hell. This book adds to the body of evidence supporting this necessary doctrinal change. –The late Clark Pinnock, McMaster Divinity College

From the fiery picture of gehenna to scenes of fireless darkness, Papaioannou leads us through the variety of metaphors, figures, symbols, and pictures employed by Jesus. Far from arid, the scholarship demonstrated here is fruitful in practical benefits for all thoughtful children of God. It gives me great pleasure to commend this book. –From the foreword by Edward William Fudge, author of
The Fire That Consumes

Kim Papaioannou has written a provocatively comprehensive, historical, and biblical interpretation of hell in the teachings of Jesus. . . . This takes the reader into the depths of Jewish literature, Old and New Testament culture, Hebrew and Greek exegesis, and a breadth of Christian history. Extremely interesting and thought provoking, this book should remain useful to critical scholarship on the topic of hell and eternal punishment for decades to come. –Sharon L. Baker, Messiah College