Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 10/26/2004

Question
    After recently conducting a study of the concept of hell, I have come to a preliminary belief that, contrary to what I have been taught as a Southern Baptist, the New Testament does NOT teach that "hell" is the flaming punishment that ungodly humans  go to immediately upon death, or for everlasting punishment.  
    Based on the translated words for "hell" in the new testament, "Hades" is simply the grave, "Gehenna" is that specific valley near Jerusalem intended for waste and rubbish and yes even condemed criminals (literally), and "tartoos" the "pit" for the angels reserved till judgement.(cf. 2 Pet.2:4).

   It seems we wait in the grave till the resurrection and judgement day, and until then, we "sleep" in an unconscious state.

Am I wrong?

Thank you for your time
Sincerelly, John  

Answer
Hi John,

To be short....yes you are wrong.  If you are right, then Our Savior, Jesus Christ is a liar!  Jesus tells a story, that was not a parable, about two individuals.  The concept of a real flaming Hell is pretty clear.

Luke 16:19-31

19  There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. 27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: 28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

This is consistant with Jesus' other teaching of extreme torment after death to the unbelievers.

Matthew 8:12
12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Matthew 13:42,50
42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

50 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Matthew 22:13
13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Matthew 24:51
51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.  

The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Matthew 25:30
30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Revelation 21:8
8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

The term hades in Greek does not take away from this New Testament teaching of an eternal Hell.  The context and constant references to suffering after death back up the Luke 16 passage that is a very clear picture of life after death for some.  It is also a reason to witness...notice the Apostle Paul's motivation:

2 Corinthians 5:11
11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; ....

The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

I hope that this helps you see my perspective a little clearer.

In Christ,
Pastor Don