Is Hell for Real or Does Everyone Go to Heaven?- Part 3
As we move closer to the end of Is Hell for Real or Does Everyone Go to Heaven? this week we will
look at chapters 4 & 5, trying to understand how the idea of hell relates
to other key Christian doctrines, and then a closer examination of
universalism.
Three Perspectives on
Hell Robert A. Peterson
Moving from the previous chapters, which gave an overview of
biblical material about hell, Peterson’s chapter wants to help us understand
how this doctrine actually relates to other key ideas that inform the Christian
faith. Firstly, he considers the Christian understanding of the triune God. A
common issue that can skew our understanding of hell is to see God the Father
as Judge, Jesus as our merciful Saviour, and not really consider, or know, what
the Holy Spirit has to do with it. However, it is far truer, in light of what
Scripture actually says, to remember that God the Father appoints Christ as
Judge as well as Saviour, and that the Holy Spirit also works to bring people
to know the truth about their sin and good and evil in this world.
Secondly, he tackles a very big question in just a couple of
pages: divine sovereignty and human freedom. Going to two common biblical
examples, Joseph’s betrayal and abandonment by his brothers, and the betrayal
of Christ leading to his crucifixion. In each of these cases the Bible is clear
that the people involved did wrong and were genuinely culpable for that.
However, God was working and achieved good, fruitful, and blessed outcomes
nonetheless. What Peterson asserts is that while we may not feel we understand
the ‘how’ of this truth, it does not negate the clarity in Scripture that it is
true all the same. This becomes significant because it is in light of the true
responsibility humans bear for their free choices that God is a just judge.
Lastly, Peterson examines hell in relation to an understanding
of things that have already and are yet to be fulfilled with regard to teaching
of the ‘last things’. Through Scripture there is definitely an emphasis on what
is to come at the end of all things, with Christ’s return, yet we also see the
reality of judgment working out in the present, as we deal with life in a world
broken by human rebellion.
Does Everyone Go to
Heaven? J. I. Packer
The book’s fifth chapter is its most lengthy as Packer
specifically addresses universalism: what he sees as one of the dominant
contemporary threats to the truth about hell. Christian universalism is the
belief that “every human being will finally come to enjoy everlasting
salvation.” Packer tries to unpack and refute some of the arguments for
universalism, and concludes that it falls far short of anything scripture truly
teaches. He also highlights some serious problems that the claims of
universalism raise, and tries to expose some of the factors that gave rise to
this view and make it attractive.
Packer lays out the problems that we find in a universalist
worldview as Christians. Firstly, there is insufficient evidence from Scripture
to support this position, and so to hold it we make ourselves more able to
determine the best and most loving way for the world, than the God who made it.
It cannot account for just how serious, and deadly, a problem sin really is. It
also makes the call to evangelism somewhat optional, or certainly less urgent,
and thus if the church is to entertain this idea, or let it shape an
understanding of Christian mission, we risk doing a severe and dangerous
disservice to the communities, and the world, God has placed us in.
Universalism raises some sensitive questions for us in 21st
century Australia. Multiculturalism and pluralism are a breeding ground for
these ideas, as we struggle to come to terms with the exclusive and definite
claims of the uniqueness of Christ. It is a moment where our trust in the
truth, authority and goodness of God’s Word and his ways can really be
stretched. It’s a worthwhile thing to be aware of, and discuss, and to
encourage one another to cling to the God we know as he has revealed himself
through Jesus Christ, whom we see in the Scriptures. Though we must confront
the hard truths of just how serious our need is to be saved from sin and death,
we can rejoice to know that the only One who can provide that salvation has indeed
done so, even at great cost to himself. Let us keep encouraging one another
with the hope found in Christ alone, and may God strengthen us to share this
hope with others around us.