Concerning Hell - by Paul Copan & Christopher M Date (Paperback)

About the Book

In this first-of-its-kind volume, respected Christian scholars lay out the case for both sides of the debate and engage in a multidisciplinary dialogue. Proponents of eternal conscious punishment and conditionalism argue from their respective expertise in biblical theology, exegesis, historical theology, systematic theology, philosophy, and pastoral theology. Each scholar then responds directly to his specialist counterpart, allowing readers to thoughtfully evaluate the strengths and nuances of each case.

Book Synopsis

United in their commitment to faithful orthodoxy, scholars on both sides of this controversial doctrine invite you to consider a question central to understanding God's justice: What is the true nature of hell?

Throughout history, most Christians have believed that the lost will endure eternal suffering in hell. In recent decades, however, a growing number of evangelicals have questioned this view and embraced alternatives such as conditional immortality (also called conditionalism or annihilationism).

In this first-of-its-kind volume, respected Christian scholars lay out the case for both sides of the debate and engage in a multidisciplinary dialogue. Proponents of eternal conscious punishment and conditionalism argue from their respective expertise in biblical theology, exegesis, historical theology, systematic theology, philosophy, and pastoral theology. Each scholar then responds directly to his specialist counterpart, allowing readers to thoughtfully evaluate the strengths and nuances of each case.

What you'll find in Concerning Hell:

• Explores this highly debated doctrine with thoughtful clarity and charitable engagement
• Gives voice to the leading advocates for both eternal conscious punishment and conditionalism
• Pairs experts within specific fields to engage with nuanced scholarly evidence and arguments
• Nurtures understanding and mutual respect between diverse theological views
• Equips readers to analyze the evidence and draw informed conclusions

Ultimately, the editors and contributors invite Christians to reconsider assumptions and seek truth in light of Scripture, reason, and the character of God. If you are searching for a comprehensive, scholarly resource on the doctrine of hell that will enrich your learning, research, and theological engagement, Concerning Hell is your essential guide.

About the Contributors

Contributors to this volume are scholars from a variety of fields and include Paul R. Williamson, Glenn A. Peoples, James. R. Wicker, Christopher M. Date, D. Jeffrey Bingham, David Instone-Brewer, Shawn Bawulski, John C. Peckham, R. Zachary Manis, Matthew Flannagan, Chip Bennett, Ralph G. Bowles, and Paul Copan.

Review Quotes

"Concerning Hell is the most accessible, timely, and insightful book I have read on hell. It has the rare balance of being engaging and academically rigorous. Contributors are committed to the authority of Scripture while advancing their views graciously. If you want to understand the historical, biblical, and philosophical debate surrounding the nature of hell, this book is a must-read."

--Sean McDowell, professor of apologetics at the Talbot School of Theology, author of The Fate of the Apostles, and YouTuber

"Over the years, I have struggled with the concept of God damning people to eternal conscious punishment. I have read a number of good books that present a variety of views on hell, but none has explored the subject with the breadth, depth, and detail of this volume compiled by Paul Copan and Christopher M. Date. Concerning Hell brings leading advocates of eternal conscious punishment and conditional immortality (a.k.a annihilationism) into serious dialogue across biblical, historical, theological, philosophical, and pastoral disciplines. The contributors make their cases forcefully while engaging opposing arguments fairly and respectfully. For anyone willing to wrestle seriously with what Scripture teaches about the final fate of the damned, this volume is an invaluable resource."

--Michael Licona, professor of New Testament Studies at Houston Christian University

"Superbly conceived and clearly organized, this volume presents a full-orbed debate concerning two opposing views of the state of the damned: everlasting suffering versus annihilation. The debate features position papers and responses by twelve protagonists representing the fields of biblical theology, biblical exegesis, historical theology, systematic theology, philosophy, and pastoral theology. The result is a fair and thorough airing of the issues, allowing the reader to make an informed decision of their own."

--William Lane Craig, professor emeritus of philosophy at the Talbot School of Theology

"The doctrine of hell continues to be a topic debated by scholars and a source of much angst and confusion among lay Christians. This is why I'm so thankful for this book. Concerning Hell tackles two different understandings of hell, annihilation and eternal conscious torment, in a clear and thorough way. Scholars will find it to be a welcomed contribution to the debate, and lay people will discover that the topic is much more complex than how it's often presented from the pulpits. Concerning Hell is my new go-to book on the topic!"

--Preston Sprinkle, host of the Theology in the Raw podcast

"The nature of hell is a vital topic in contemporary theology, fundamentally affecting our understanding of the gospel and our defense of the Christian faith. But hell is also more difficult than sometimes realized. In recent years, debate in this area has increased, without clear consensus or resolution. In this context, this impressive multidisciplinary work fills a real gap. It is not only a must-read on the topic but can also serve as an introduction to those wondering what the major positions and arguments are. Highly recommended!"

--Gavin Ortlund, president of Truth Unites and author of Why Christianity Makes Sense

"The nature of the afterlife, especially the fate of those who have not aligned themselves in this life with the righteousness of God and the lordship of Jesus, continues to vex believers and fuel the criticisms of the faith on the part of unbelievers. Paul Copan and Christopher M. Date have produced a volume that will certainly help readers think through their own position in a more critically informed manner, as well as gain much-needed respect for those in the household of God who come to a different conclusion. The decision to approach this question from a broad range of disciplines--exegetical, theological, historical, psychological, and pastoral--is particularly brilliant."

--David A. deSilva, trustees' distinguished professor of New Testament and Greek at Ashland Theological Seminary

"With Concerning Hell, Paul Copan and Christopher M. Date have put together an exceptional volume. Bringing together expert contributors, they ask the right questions and bring the relevant disciplines to bear, including biblical studies, philosophy, and history. Whether you're new to the debate and want to form an educated opinion by hearing the strongest arguments on each side, or you're already familiar with the debate and are looking to engage with its most sophisticated arguments, this book provides all you need. Surprisingly compact, it distills the substance of multiple introductory works and specialized defenses into a single volume. Its rapid exchange of arguments and responses delivers the punch of expertise without losing sight of the bigger picture. I strongly recommend it to anyone interested in this important debate."

--Guillaume Bignon, philosophical theologian and author of Excusing Sinners and Blaming God and Confessions of a French Atheist

About the Author

Paul Copan (PhD, Marquette University) is the Pledger Family Chair of Philosophy and Ethics at Palm Beach Atlantic University, West Palm Beach, Florida. He is author or editor of many books, including An Introduction to Biblical Ethics, Is God a Moral Monster?, and Is God a Vindictive Bully?

Christopher M. Date represents a global movement known as Rethinking Hell. He coedited Rethinking Hell: Readings in Evangelical Conditionalism and A Consuming Passion: Essays on Hell and Immortality in Honor of Edward Fudge. He is adjunct professor of Bible and Theology at Trinity College of the Bible and Theological Seminary and head of engineering at Biblingo, which makes software for learning biblical languages.