Razing Hell: Rethinking Everything You've Been Taught About God's Wrath and Judgment

by Baker, Sharon L.

• ISBN13: 9780664236540
• ISBN10: 0664236545
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-08-23
• Publisher: Presbyterian Pub Corp

Summary

The idea of hell can haunt dreams and disturb sleep. Many wonder at the justice (or injustice) of it all, feeling confounded by a God who deems it necessary to send the majority of humanity to burn there forever. Seventy percent of Americans believe in hell, as do ninety-two percent of those who attend church every week. Clearly, it's a hot topic. Baker offers readers a safe space to contemplate tough issues as they rethink traditional views of hell. In her candid and inviting style Baker explores and ultimately refutes many traditional views of hell, presenting instead theologically sound ways of thinking that are more consistent with the image of God as a loving creator who desires to liberate us from sin and evil. This is an excellent selection for general readers, students, pastors, professors, and grief counselors, and will provide clarity for those with questions about hell, God's judgment, and what happens to us when we die.

Author Biography

Sharon L. Baker is Assistant Professor of Theology and Religion and Coordinator of the Peace and Conflict Studies Program at Messiah College in Grantham, Pennsylvania. She has published numerous articles and speaks frequently throughout the United States on nonviolent atonement and hell. A former stay-at-home mom, Baker received her PhD from Southern Methodist University in 2006. She is the mother of four grown boys.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	p. ix
Introduction	p. xi
Traditional Views of Hell, God's Wrath, and Judgment
The Landscape	p. 3
The Image of God	p. 19
The Justice of God	p. 30
The Forgiveness of God	p. 39
An Alternative to Hell, God's Wrath, and Judgment
Rethinking the Violence of God	p. 51
Rethinking the Image of God	p. 69
Rethinking the Justice of God	p. 80
Rethinking the Forgiveness of God	p. 95
A New View of Hell
The Fire, the Wicked, and the Redeemed	p. 111
Outer Darkness, Gnashing of Teeth, and the Lake of Fire	p. 125
The Savior	p. 150
How Then Shall We Live?	p. 167
Appendixes	p. 183
On the More Academic Side of Hell: References and Commentary	p. 185
Further Reading	p. 203
Questions for Study and Reflection	p. 205
Index of Scripture	p. 211
Index of Subjects and Names	p. 215
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