Rethinking Jesus and the Doctrine of Hell: A Historical and Scholarly Perspective

To interpret Jesus’ statements about judgment, punishment, and the afterlife accurately, one must place him firmly within the framework of Second Temple apocalyptic Judaism. As Bart D. Ehrman and many other biblical scholars have emphasized, Jesus was not a Christian theologian but an apocalyptic Jewish preacher shaped by the religious currents of his time (see Ehrman, Heaven and Hell: A History of the Afterlife, 2020).

In early Judaism, conceptions of the afterlife were ambiguous or undeveloped. The Hebrew Bible speaks of Sheol, a shadowy, neutral realm of the dead, but offers no clear doctrine of eternal punishment or reward. It was only after the Babylonian Exile and particularly during the Second Temple period (roughly 500 BCE–70 CE) that Jewish beliefs about the afterlife evolved significantly. Influenced by Persian Zoroastrian dualism and later Hellenistic ideas, apocalyptic Jews came to expect a future resurrection and divine judgment.

Importantly, these evolving beliefs did not center on eternal conscious torment. Instead, a range of afterlife possibilities were considered:

Purgation or temporary punishment, as in 1 Enoch or 2 Maccabees;

Annihilation of the wicked, as suggested in the Book of Daniel (12:2) and the Wisdom of Solomon (3:10);

Restoration or universal reconciliation (e.g., in certain strands of Rabbinic or apocalyptic thought).

Within this context, Jesus’ references to Gehenna (often translated “hell”) must be understood symbolically and in light of Jewish apocalyptic imagery. Gehenna originally referred to the Valley of Hinnom outside Jerusalem, a site associated with idolatry and judgment. By the time of Jesus, it had become a metaphor for divine judgment, but not necessarily a place of eternal conscious torment. Most scholars agree that Jesus likely envisioned destruction or exclusion from the Kingdom of God—possibly a form of annihilation rather than endless torment (cf. Matthew 10:28).

Later Christian theology, particularly in the Latin West, diverged from these early Jewish roots. Influential thinkers like Augustine of Hippo (4th–5th century) developed the doctrine of eternal conscious punishment, based on a more developed theology of the immortal soul, heavily influenced by Neoplatonism. This marked a decisive shift away from the more varied and nuanced views present in Second Temple Judaism. Whether these newer developed thoughts were more in line with the teachings of Jesus is debateable. The teachings would be in line with His ideas on eternal punishment but less on the jewish oriented idea of annihilation and the other teachings that dont focus on an immortal soul.

Modern biblical scholarship, including the work of Ehrman, largely rejects the traditional notion of hell as a place of eternal fire and torment. Instead, many scholars emphasize that such beliefs are later theological constructions, not central to Jesus’ message. As Ehrman notes, “Jesus never says the wicked will be tortured forever in hell. That idea came much later.”

Additionally, contemporary studies of near-death experiences (NDEs) reveal a broad spectrum of afterlife interpretations. While some NDEs describe distressing or “hellish” experiences, many more suggest themes of restoration, learning, and eventual healing. These accounts, though not theological dogma, reinforce the view that punitive notions of the afterlife may be far more diverse and dynamic than traditional doctrines allow.

Given all this, dogmatic insistence on a literal hellfire doctrine is not only unbiblical but historically uninformed. The biblical texts reflect a range of evolving views, shaped by cultural, philosophical, and theological developments. Jesus himself likely held a view more consistent with annihilation or exclusion from the eschatological kingdom—views far removed from the later fire-and-brimstone imagery of medieval Christianity.

In the end, any theology of judgment must remain humble, recognizing that these are human attempts to grasp ultimate mysteries.

The Nature of Sin and Condemnation in Christianity and NDEs

🕊️ Sin

To sin is to intentionally do what you know is wrong. It requires all three components:

• Intention
• Knowledge
• Action

This basic moral insight holds true not only in Christian theology but also in many NDE (Near-Death Experience) and New Age interpretations of morality. While they may not explicitly use the word sin, even those in these circles acknowledge a kind of moral failing—missing the mark, being ignorant of, or repelled by the divine nature or loving intention that God has for us.

NDE accounts frequently describe a life review in which the experiencer sees how their actions either aligned or misaligned with love, truth, or light. Harm done knowingly or selfishly is deeply felt—even if forgiven. Sin, in this broader sense, is a falling short of our intended design as loving, relational beings.

🔥 Condemnation

The idea of condemnation in Scripture is often misunderstood. In another post, we examined what Jesus might have meant by hellfire and what hellish afterlife experiences in NDEs seem to suggest. Here, we focus solely on what the Bible says about condemnation.

📖 What Does the Bible Actually Say?

The Bible isn’t very clear that mere ignorance of Jesus’ salvation causes condemnation. However, it is clear that knowingly rejecting it can lead to it.

The most definitive passage may be found in the context of the famous verse John 3:16:

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

But this is immediately followed by a deeper explanation of condemnation:

“This is the verdict (condemnation): Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.” (John 3:19)

Condemnation, then, is not about arbitrary rejection or ignorance—it’s about willfully turning away from the light when it is offered.

🕯️ What About the Unreached or the Ignorant?

In Catholic and Orthodox traditions, there is discussion about whether those who have never heard the Gospel might still be saved. The argument is that people can respond to the light of natural reason, inborn conscience, and the law written on the heart (Romans 2).

“Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law… they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them”
(Romans 2:14–15)

So what about those who reject Jesus, but have little knowledge of who He truly is or what He teaches?

Are they significantly different from those who have simply never heard of Him?

Many traditional churches would answer yes: rejection of Christ, like sin, implies knowledge and deliberate rejection. “They knew better” is often the rationale. However, that judgment—whether they truly knew or not—belongs to God alone.

🤔 What If Someone Sincerely Seeks and Still Rejects?

This raises a deeper question:
What if someone sincerely explores Christianity, but after research and reflection, rejects it?

Does their sincerity count for them—or against them?

We must be honest: Only God can judge such a heart. But we can observe that the Bible does not explicitly state that anyone who simply doesn’t know about Jesus will be automatically condemned.

🔍 Other Relevant Verses:

• Jesus in John 8:24:

“Unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”
—This implies unbelief leads to sin remaining—but again, in the context of rejection.

• Jesus in Mark 16:16:

“Go into all the world and preach the gospel. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”
—Here too, condemnation seems tied to active rejection, not mere ignorance.

• Revelation 21:8 mentions that the faithless and unbelieving have their part in the lake of fire—but again, the passage does not clearly define who these “unbelievers” are in terms of knowledge or culpability.

🌍 A Broader Picture: Judgment, Mercy, and Light

It is possible to conclude, from a non-lenient reading, that all unbelievers will be condemned. But the lack of explicit clarity on this point, combined with themes of God’s mercy, justice, and light, in the bible and holy tradition, opens the door to possible exceptions—especially for the sincere, the ignorant, or the morally upright who have not encountered Christ clearly.

Ultimately:

• Condemnation in Scripture is often tied to a person’s response to the light they’ve been given.
• Judgment belongs to God, who sees the heart, the level of knowledge, and the intentions behind belief or rejection.

📚 NDEs and Condemnation

Many NDE accounts reinforce this theme: condemnation isn’t about religion or doctrine alone—it’s about alignment with love, truth, and light. In hellish NDEs, people often report states of isolation, fear, or darkness—not imposed from outside, but flowing from their own rejection of love, humility, or truth.

(For more on this, see the section on “Hellish Afterlife Experiences in NDEs.”)

✅ Conclusion

Sin, whether in Christian theology or in the insights drawn from near-death accounts, is not simply about violating rules—it’s about knowingly rejecting what is good, true, and loving.

Condemnation, likewise, is not arbitrary—it is deeply tied to how a person responds to the light and truth they’ve encountered.

And in the end, the mercy and justice of God are our greatest hope.
Only He knows the heart.

And instead of getting hung up on sin and condemnation, maybe we should focus on the good news. As was mentioned, even the bible says Jesus didn’t come to condemn the world, but to save it. He taught that there’s life after death, and that the kingdom of God is based on love and goodwill… all we need is genuine faith in Jesus and we will never die stuck in our sins. That’s great news!

In another post, we’ll look at the cardinal virtues (justice, prudence, temperance, and fortitude) and a list of examples of sub-virtues. These cardinal virtues are the core virtues at the root of all virtues and are well established in traditional christian teaching. Another recent development in the world of christian spirituality are these three core themes at the root of all sins, control, significance, and comfort. In this post, we’ll examine these core themes and in another post we’ll examine the sub-vices (sins).

The Becoming Man series—like many Christian men’s discipleship frameworks—often returns to the idea that men are tempted by false sources of identity and security: namely control, significance, and comfort. These are not inherently wrong, but when sought over holiness, they become idols that block transformation. While this series was made for christian men, the teachings are central enough to the human condition that they are applicable to all people, regardless of religion or gender.

Here’s how the series usually frames each one:

🔻 1. Control – The Pitfall of Playing God

“When a man seeks control above holiness, he lives in fear, masks vulnerability, and resists surrender.”

💥 The False Promise:

Control offers the illusion of safety and certainty. It says: “If I can just manage everything—my job, my wife, my emotions, my image—I’ll be secure.”

💀 The Spiritual Pitfall:

• Leads to anxiety, manipulation, and perfectionism.
• Makes a man rigid, not spirit-led.
• Blocks trust in God and others.
• Turns leadership into domination or withdrawal.

💎 The Call to Holiness:

• Trust God’s sovereignty over outcomes.
• Embrace vulnerability as strength.
• Let go of the need to fix, force, or perform.
• Yield to the Holy Spirit daily.

🕊 “Be still, and know that I am God…” (Psalm 46:10)

🔻 2. Significance – The Pitfall of Proving Yourself

“When a man seeks significance over holiness, he lives to be seen by others instead of known by God.”

💥 The False Promise:

Significance says: “If I accomplish enough, lead enough, impress enough, I’ll matter. I’ll finally be enough.”

💀 The Spiritual Pitfall:

• Performance-based identity.
• Jealousy, comparison, and burnout.
• Using people to build platforms rather than serving.
• Shame when failure comes, or pride when success does.

💎 The Call to Holiness:

• Your worth is received, not achieved.
• God delights in you as a son, not a performer.
• Live for an audience of One.
• Learn contentment and obscurity as a spiritual discipline.

🕊 “Do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:20)

🔻 3. Comfort – The Pitfall of Numbing the Soul

“When a man seeks comfort over holiness, he trades eternal strength for temporary escape.”

💥 The False Promise:

Comfort says: “You deserve to check out. Take the path of least resistance. Avoid pain, challenge, and risk.”

💀 The Spiritual Pitfall:

• Laziness in spiritual disciplines.
• Addictions and escapism (porn, food, media, fantasy).
• Avoidance of hard conversations, calling, or sacrifice.
• Shallow roots—can’t withstand storms.

💎 The Call to Holiness:

• Jesus didn’t promise comfort, but a cross (Luke 9:23).
• Endurance produces character; character brings hope (Romans 5:3–5).
• Growth often comes through struggle, not ease.
• Real joy is found on the other side of obedience.

🕊 “Woe to you who are comfortable in Zion…” (Amos 6:1)
🕊 “Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his sons.” (Hebrews 12:7)

⚔️ Summary: Three False Kings

✝️ Final Thought:

“These three temptations—control, significance, and comfort—mirror the temptations Jesus faced in the wilderness (Luke 4). He chose obedience over comfort, sonship over significance, and trust over control. Becoming a man of God means doing the same.”

Healing, Hope, and Growth: A Christ-Centered Path Forward

Life comes with trials—some external, others internal. Yet the Bible reminds us: “The testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:3-4)

Suffering isn’t wasted in God’s economy. It builds character. It draws us into the peace and hope that only Christ can offer. But this transformation requires intentional healing and discipleship through the Word of God, the Holy Spirit, and the social support of the Church.

Authentic Discipleship Begins With Us

Before we can minister to others effectively, we must first be shaped by the very truths we proclaim. If we don’t apply Scripture deeply in our own lives, we lose authenticity—and our witness suffers. Practicing what we preach is not legalism—it’s integrity.

We should challenge ourselves and others to begin memorizing important verses, especially if we don’t yet have a “memory bank” of Scripture to draw from. God’s Word transforms our minds and heals our hearts.

Spot the Signs: Sin, Suffering, and the Root

Helping others means learning to discern. Many people carry emotional wounds masked by vices or outward symptoms of sin. Depression, anger, or addiction can signal deeper issues. Rather than just treating the symptoms, we must seek the root.

Part of this process means challenging perceptions shaped by the world or by internalized lies. Many believers live with condemnation, shame, and self-defeating thoughts. But Romans 8:1 tells us, “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

Yes, victims and survivors need to set boundaries. And yes, feelings of pain are normal. It’s okay to admit hurt—but we shouldn’t dwell forever in despair. The enemy wants to steal our joy, but Christ offers renewal.

Encourage Spiritual Disciplines

One way to build resilience and hope is through spiritual disciplines. These include:

• Daily prayer
• Bible reading and meditation
• Journaling
• Worship and fasting
• Silence and solitude
• Serving others

Encourage others to engage in these practices regularly. For those who struggle to express emotions in person, suggest writing a letter—sometimes clarity and healing come through written words.

Listen Before You Speak

Most of our communication is non-verbal—tone and body language often matter more than words. That’s why listening well is a deeply spiritual act. It involves:

• Making eye contact
• Asking thoughtful questions
• Avoiding distractions (especially phones)
• Clarifying what someone says before offering solutions
• Letting them know you care without rushing them

Social media often erodes intimacy. Real connection requires presence.

And after listening? Then respond—with grace, truth, and compassion.

Respect confidentiality unless there’s an emergency or danger involved. People need to know they’re safe.

Grow Together, Love Deeply

None of us have it all figured out. We all need to grow—whether in patience, relational maturity, emotional regulation, or spiritual depth. Let’s give each other grace in the process.

No one is always right—but everyone can be loved. The Church is a place for healing, not perfection.

Share Truth Gently

Some people may be angry at God. Others resist Scripture. That’s okay. You don’t have to argue. Often, people are open to prayer, even if they aren’t ready to hear a sermon. Let them know you’re praying for them. Share Scripture gently, in love.

Help people be honest—with themselves, with others, and most importantly, with God. There’s no healing without truth.

Identity: The Anchor in Every Storm

In a world obsessed with self-identification, the most life-giving identity is being a follower of Jesus. Through Him, we are adopted into God’s family, chosen and loved. That truth changes everything.

Let’s show the world the hope of redemption—not just through words, but through our presence, listening, truth, and love.

The Sacred Burden: Learning to Love Through Pain

In a world filled with addiction, mental illness, broken families, death, disease, and hardship, the church is not meant to be a museum of saints—it is a hospital for sinners. Jesus didn’t avoid the broken; He moved toward them. He healed the blind, comforted the possessed, stood up for the adulterous woman, and walked alongside the hurting. As His followers, we’re called to do the same.

We Are Comforted to Comfort Others

The comfort we receive from God isn’t meant to stop with us—it’s meant to overflow. As Paul writes, “God comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” (2 Corinthians 1:4). Our suffering, and the comfort we receive through it, can become someone else’s hope.

Pain is a teacher. It refines, shapes, and prepares us to walk beside others. Only those who have known deep sorrow can truly relate to others in their grief. God doesn’t waste our pain or our broken past—He redeems it.

Burdens vs. Loads

Scripture tells us to “carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2). But just two verses later, Paul says, “each one should carry their own load.” What’s the difference?

A burden is something heavy, overwhelming—grief, mental illness, deep trauma. A load is more like a backpack—daily responsibilities, personal work, decisions. We are called to help with burdens, but not to remove someone’s load entirely. To carry someone’s load for them can do more harm than good, robbing them of the growth God intends.

Care requires discernment. It’s a privilege to walk with others, not to “fix” them, but to love them. As one friend might say, “I can’t fix you, but I can point you to someone who can.”

It’s Okay to Not Be Okay

Church should be a safe place to bring brokenness. But too often, the wounded feel unwelcome. The truth is, divorce happens in the church just as outside it. So does depression, trauma, and dysfunction. Let’s break the silence: It’s okay to not be okay.

Everyone has coping strategies: some avoid pain, others beg for relief, some cry, some manipulate, some people-please their way into toxic relationships. These behaviors are often attempts to earn love or protect from further hurt. But love isn’t earned—it’s given.

We must treat emotions with respect. Crying releases stress. Tears can heal. Grief is not a flaw—it’s a human response to loss. There is no single way to grieve. It takes courage, time, and companions.

Gifts of the Spirit and the Art of Caring

Some are gifted in mercy, discernment, compassion, evangelism, or exhortation. These spiritual gifts are essential in a community of healing. But all of us are called to be teachable, to be lifelong learners, and to walk humbly as fellow travelers.

Caring for others isn’t a checklist—it’s a calling. People are not tasks to be solved, but souls to be loved. That means protecting confidentiality, rejecting gossip, and refusing to use someone else’s pain to resolve our own. True maturity shows up in our willingness to be present without control.

Practical Love in a Broken World

Look around: the homeless, the mentally ill, the elderly, foster children, prisoners, single moms, the disabled. These are not charity projects—they are beloved. Jesus’ mission was to proclaim good news to the poor, freedom to prisoners, recovery of sight to the blind, and liberty to the oppressed (Luke 4:18).

We are partners with God, not saviors. He does the healing—we simply show up with love. Help people process their emotions and point them to Jesus. That’s enough.

Final Thoughts: Love Like Christ

To love like Christ is to walk alongside others—not above them. It is to bear burdens, not rescue; to serve, not fix; to be available, not invasive. And always, always, to trust that all things work together for good—not because pain is good, but because God is.

So take heart. You are loved. You are adopted by God. And the grace that found you is the same grace you now carry to others.