One of your conclusions in your book is that “There are no verses stating there is a hell you could go to after you die.” What about Luke 12:5?? “But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.” And that is Jesus talking!! You even mention the verse as one of the verses with the word hell in it, and yet you don’t address this at all. You can’t just have the Bible say whatever you want it to say and ignore what goes against what you are saying sir.
Hi Dean,
Thank you for writing, and thank you for reading my book!—at least up to chapter 7. Few things here: As I say directly in my book, and as a I strive to do, I certainly do not make the Bible say what I want it to say. I don’t write anything about verses in the Bible without strong support. Your question has been asked before and I wrote a lengthy blog answering this exact question, which you can find in the blog section.
We all have to be careful about the thing you accuse me of at the end of your question. I volley this one back to you in a friendly and respectful manner intended: You might find that it is you who are taking Luke 12:5 out of its context and making it say what you want it to say, or think it says, namely, that the verse is speaking about an afterlife hell. You would not be alone in this. This is an interpretation that has been taught and passed down for many, many centuries. It is also one which I believe (based on my experience) that most people would say if asked what the verse means. It’s easy to to think the verse refers to an afterlife hell if it is completely removed out of context.
I hope you’ll read the blog and let me know if this answers your query and what you thought of it.
Best, Kevin
