Showing results for "hell" in Religious Studies

When it appeared in 1670, Baruch Spinoza’s Theological-Political Treatise was denounced as the most dangerous book ever published. In A Book Forged in Hell, Steven Nadler tells the fascinating story of this extraordinary book: its radical claims and their background in the philosophical, religious, and political tensions of the Dutch Golden Age, as well as the vitriolic reaction these ideas inspired.

The great fourth-century church father Basil of Caesarea once observed that, in his time, most Christians believed that hell was not everlasting, and that all would eventually attain salvation. But today, this view is no longer prevalent within Christian communities. In this momentous book, David Bentley Hart makes the case that nearly two millennia of dogmatic tradition have misled readers on the crucial matter of universal salvation.

For centuries, readers have marveled at the imaginative brilliance of authors like C. S. Lewis, Dorothy L. Sayers, and Charles Williams. But what inspired these literary giants? The Way of Dante takes you on a journey of discovering how the medieval poet Dante Alighieri and his masterwork, The Divine Comedy, shaped their thoughts, artistry, and faith.

For centuries, many have been taught to believe that the Bible presents a vivid picture of a fiery Hell, where God sadistically torments most of humanity by burning their skin for all eternity. But is this really the picture Scripture paints? Were you raised to view Hell through the lens of the Augustinian-Calvinist tradition, perhaps too intimidated ever to question it? If so, this book is for you. In it, we will challenge the fundamentalist perspective on Hellfire by exploring the original context in which the biblical teachings on Hell were written.

How do you know if you're going to heaven? How do you avoid going to hell? Learn what its like in heaven and hell from Emanuel Swedenborg's conversations with angels and spirits as this eighteenth-century Christian mystic explains what happens when we die. A Swedish Enlightenment scientist of extraordinary accomplishment, Swedenborg underwent a spiritual awakening that led to almost daily experiences of heaven, hell, and what he called the world of spirits; a process that lasted twenty-seven years until his death at age 84.

Is God a sadistic torturer? Coldhearted judge? Genocidal maniac? Unfortunately, our popular caricatures often make him out to be. God has some skeletons in the closet. At least, that's what many of us fear. "How can a loving God send people to hell?" "Isn't it arrogant to believe Jesus is the only way to God?" "What is up with holy war in the Old Testament?" These are difficult questions that our family, our friends, our culture - even we ourselves - are asking.

A New York Times bestselling historian of early Christianity takes on two of the most gripping questions of human existence: where did the ideas of heaven and hell come from and why do they endure? What happens when we die? A recent Pew Research poll showed that 72% of Americans believe in a...

From classics such as the Odyssey and the Aeneid to fifth-century Christian apocrypha, narratives that described guided tours of the afterlife played a major role in shaping ancient notions of morality and ethics. In this new account, acclaimed author Bart Ehrman contextualizes early Christian narratives of heaven and hell within the broader intellectual and cultural worlds from which they emerged.

On November 22, 1963, three great men died within a few hours of each other: C. S. Lewis, John F. Kennedy, and Aldous Huxley. All three believed, in different ways, that death is not the end of human life. Suppose they were right, and suppose they met after death. How might the conversation go? Peter Kreeft imagines their discussion as a part of The Great Conversation that has been going on for centuries. Does human life have meaning? Is it possible to know about life after death? What if one could prove that Jesus was God?

Jesus declared war on an ancient enemy at the very beginning of His ministry. He hinted at the identity of this entity through the locations of His baptism, the Transfiguration, and the Olivet Discourse. This enemy was cast down from the mountain of God. He's deceived millions in sacrificing their children on his altars. And he returns from the bottomless pit at the end of the age—a prophecy encoded into the art and architecture of the United States Capitol. This entity may be more dangerous than Satan himself.

Qual o destino do homem após a morte física? Quais as causas do temor da morte? Existem o Céu e o Inferno? A antiga crença nos anjos e demônios merece crédito? Como procede a Justiça Divina? Estas e outras questões correlatas são devidamente esclarecidas na primeira parte da obra O Céu e o Inferno ou A Justiça Divina Segundo o Espiritismo, à luz da lógica e dos ensinamentos dos Espíritos.

The word hell conjures up all kinds of nightmares in people's minds. But it also presents a difficulty for many Christians. How can a God who the Bible says literally "is love" condemn anyone to an eternity of torment? Will punishment be eternal? Is hell for real? In this short, accessible book, pastor and author Erik Raymond reviews this important subject for everyone with pastoral warmth and biblical clarity.

The signs are unmistakable. Jesus said there would be clear signs in our world before his return. Over the last few months and years, as we read headline after amazing headline, those signs seem to be escalating. Could Christ's return and our world's final days be very far away? Greg Laurie opens up the Scriptures, offering insight, warning, and encouragement to "make the most of every opportunity" in these challenging days.

The Marriage of Heaven and Hell by the English poet William Blake consists of a series of texts written in the style of biblical prophecy but expressing Blake's own beliefs. Composed between 1790 and 1793, the book makes reference to Milton and Swedenborg, and adopts a device from Dante's Divine Comedy and Milton's Paradise Lost: a visit to hell. Blake expresses a deliberately depolarized and unified vision of the cosmos in which the material world and physical desire are both part of the divine order.

Here is an eyewitness account of the true nature and existence of Hell. Uebert Angel was afforded visitations to Hell by God, and was commanded to let the world know the reality of Hell and to remind the world to choose life and prepare for eternity. As the Lord Jesus appeared to Uebert Angel, he took him on tours of Hell and showed him the suffering there. He saw some of the horrors of Hell and saw many souls in torment. Jesus showed him what happens to souls when they die as unbelievers. He was also shown the horrors purported Christians face in Hell when they reject His grace.

Radhia’s personal story and comprehensive knowledge along with her authentic, and unfiltered humorous style presents a compelling portrayal of both the political and cultural dynamics of group-think and mind control. After 25 years of her adult life in a cult under the influence of a narcissistic sociopath, she sought to understand why she made the choices she made in her life, so she could better understand why others make their choices.

In Hell? No! Rick Lannoye masterfully unravels all the ploys used to perpetuate the fear of Hell, beginning with the history of its pagan origins, the process by which Christianity adopted Hades' Realm from Greek mythology and how the original gospels have been manipulated to keep the unfounded fear of Hell alive today. Most importantly, Lannoye provides practical advice to anyone--no matter how emotionally and spiritually abused--about how they can be set free and become absolutely certain there is no such place as Hell.

Where does the spirit and soul go after physical death? Does the soul travel to a better place? Is there awareness in the afterlife? This easy-to-listen expository answers such questions. Torments of hell are neither imaginary nor glamorous. This experience 'was not' a dream, vision, or hallucination. The reality of hell is no joke–do not go there!

While most people know the fairly consistent description of Hell that exists today, the description of Hell has evolved countless times over the centuries, including within the Christian faith. During medieval times, many Christian writers described parts or all of Hell as cold and desolate places, going as far back as the 4th century work Apocalypse of Paul. At the same time, the concepts of the Devil and Hell are not unique to Christianity; other major faiths have similar concepts, while ancient religions had an underworld and assorted characters, such as the Greeks' Hades.

Dr. Mark Karris' The Diabolical Trinity is a thought-provoking manifesto and practical guide for those seeking healing from the harm caused by the toxic beliefs of Hell indoctrination—the unholy trinity of traumatizing beliefs in a tormenting Hell, a wrathful God, and human depravity.