I have just recently released my new book entitled “Heaven and Hell, a biblical perspective of the life to come.” I do encourage you to get it. But why write such a book? Let me suggest 5 reasons.
1) We have now gone through the period of about a generation where the themes of heaven and hell are rarely addressed from the pulpit. If it is less true about the doctrine of heaven, it is surely true about the doctrine of hell. An entire generation has grown up in church and have never heard a biblical or reasoned approach to hell, nor are they aware of what to expect in heaven. While what I have just said is surely an overstatement it is true in many cases. What is not explained or defended in one generation is forgotten and denied in the next.
2) The vast majority of North Americans now believe that heaven is the default position of everyone. Only if their names are Adolf Hitler, do they go to hell. Indeed, far more North Americans believe they are going to heaven than actually believe in God. In their view, heaven is a place that is easily achievable. Furthermore, heaven is a place where all your frustrated dreams from this life are finally realized.
3) For most North Americans, the teachings of Heaven and Hell are defined by several unreliable sources. The first is the popular movies and books that have been written on the subject. And the second are the books in which the author has claimed to have died and gone to heaven. Their book is an expose of what to expect. Not only do most of these books contradict the plain teachings of scripture, but they also present a poverty stricken picture of the same.
4) A great many contemporary Christians suspect that the doctrine of hell is inconsistent with the character of God. If asked, many Christians have resorted to the unbiblical answer that God does not send people to hell, rather we choose to go there ourselves. This, they believe, will rescue the doctrine of hell, and leave God without blame. Without even knowing it, they have contradicted the plain teaching of scripture. Consider Jesus’ rather plain teaching in Luke 12:5.
“But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!”
5) When we lack a clear picture of Heaven and Hell, we cut the nerve of Christian motivation. Many Christians will be shocked to discover how many past missionaries sacrificed their lives for the unreached because they believed they were condemned and going to hell Furthermore, a failure to understand the Christian doctrine of heaven leaves us without the motivation to put to death to deeds of the flesh, to pick up the cross and forsake all this world has to offer. Failing to see that which lies ahead, we lack the desire which should attend our faith.
For all these reasons, and more, it is time to renew the study of the Christian doctrine of heaven and hell. The book is available for free through the month of November. My prayer is that it will be the start of a lifetime of study and an eternity of joy.
