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As Christians, what should we believe about hell?
Instead of offering a prescriptive, one-size-fits-all answer, Ronald Allen and Robert Cornwall guide the reader through the historical interpretation of hell. They begin with the voices of the Hebrew Bible, extrabiblical, and New Testament texts and the voices of the early, medieval, Reformation, and modern church, pointing out the three main Christian views today—literalism (hell exists, and those there will suffer for eternity), annihilationism (the punishment of hell is limited and leads to the extinction of the sufferer), and universalism (everyone is saved, so hell does not exist). They include multiple contemporary theological positions on hell, such as those of liberation theologians and process theologians. Through describing and explaining these different points of view, Allen and Cornwall allow the reader to decide what view(s) of hell make the most theological and ethical sense to them, and they conclude by offering their personal thoughts on hell.
The book includes a study guide, making it an excellent resource for group study. An online resource designed for pastors who want to design topical and lectionary-based sermon series on hell is available for download.
Ronald J Allen
Ronald J. Allen is Professor of Preaching and Gospels and Letters at Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, Indiana. He is the author of several books on preaching including Sermon Treks: Trailways for Creative Preaching from Abingdon Press.
More by Ronald J Allen
Robert D. Cornwall
Robert D. Cornwall is Minister Emeritus of Central Woodward Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) living in Troy, Michigan. He has served as board chair of Christian Unity and Interfaith Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and Editor of Sharing the Practice. He received his Ph.D. in Historical Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary (1991). His books include Second Thoughts about Hell: Understanding What We Believe co-authored with Ronald J. Allen (WJK, 2025); Eating With Jesus: Reflections on Divine Encouinters at the Open Eucharistic Table (Cascade, 2025); Second Thoughts about the Second Coming, with Ronald J. Allen (WJK, 2023); Religion, Politics and Dissent, 1660-1832, co-edited with William Gibson (2010).
More by Robert D. Cornwall
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