What Does the Bible Really Say About Hell? Wrestling With the Traditional View (Living Issues Discussion, Vol. 2) - Softcover

Klassen, Randy

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1931038023 ISBN 13: 9781931038027

Publisher: Pandora Press U.S., 2001

Synopsis

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.

About this title

About the Author

During the past forty years, Randy Klassen, San Andreas, California, has served established churches and developed new ones, written many articles and books, including Jesus' Word, Jesus' Way (Herald Press, 1992), and done seminary teaching. He has painted thousands of watercolors, some of them award-winning. As one who knows firsthand the pain of failure and the pleasure of success, Klassen's greatest joy is sharing the gracious love of God.

From the Back Cover

"Klassen's voice," says Publishers Weekly, "is gentle and pastoral as he analyzes reasons why many individuals need a belief in hell to scare them into heaven."

"Klassen is to be commended for writing this book. What he has done so well is examine carefully all significant references to hell in the Old and New Testaments and shown that none provides clear evidence of the existence of hell as commonly understood." --Peter J. Dyck's latest book is Getting Home Before Dark

"Readers will be encouraged to focus on the grace of Jesus Christ, a grace not complete until the last sheep is found (Matt. 18) and the lost son comes home (Luke 15)." --Robert K. Johnston, Professor of Theology and Culture, Fuller Theological Seminary

"This book resourcefully speaks to the fundamental questions that quite likely will draw readers to it, and in the process shows us all how serious and useful biblical interpretation can be done. " --Nancy R. Heisey, Associate Professor of Biblical Studies and Church History, Eastern Mennonite University; President-Elect, Mennonite World Conference

"As always in Klassen's work, the note of hope sounds clear and there is logic in the approach, buttressed by his searching of Scripture. There is boldness about it which is a great gift to the church: he presses readers to deal with the issue, whatever they may conclude." --Jim Hawkinson, former editor, The Covenant Companion; Executive Secretary, Covenant Publications

"Is hell real? Klassen's response to this challenging question steers clear of a pat answer." --Rev. Evelyn Johnson, Conference Superintendent, Pacific Southwest Conference, Evangelical Covenant Church

Reviews

Mennonite minister Randolph Klassen does battle with the devil in What Does the Bible Say About Hell? Wrestling with the Traditional View. He addresses every reference to hell in the Bible, offering separate chapters on Acts, the Old Testament, the Gospels and the Epistles. He rejects the traditional notion of hell as a place of eternal torment for the wicked, claiming that such as view "fails the test of justice": in other words, a just and loving God would not sanction eternal suffering with no possibility of parole. Klassen's voice is gentle and pastoral as he analyzes reasons why many individuals need a belief in hell to scare them into heaven.

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"Why write about hell? . . . The questions of thoughtful people deserve careful answers. When it comes to grieving folks, the need for sensitivity in response is imperative. What do our answers tell us about God? . . .While every author hopes his efforts will be widely read, I am most anxious for 'Bible-believing' Christians to ponder what I have written. I consider myself in this camp. One motivation for writing this material was the discovery that what has often been believed to be the biblical teaching is not, upon closer examination, the complete story. . . ." --Randy Klassen, in the Preface

Edition details

• Publisher: Pandora Press U.S.
• Publication date: 2001
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1931038023
• ISBN 13: 9781931038027
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 144