Exegeting Hell with Preston Sprinkle
While we have spent quite a few episodes on the topic of hell, and even more specifically on Francis Chan’s book “Erasing Hell”, we thought it would be very helpful to our listeners to hear more about the exegesis behind that book. Preston Sprinkle, the co-author of “Erasing Hell” was kind enough to come on the podcast and share more thoughts on the Scripture used.
In a very friendly conversation between Preston and Steve, the topics of hell and Ultimate Reconciliation are explored even further, but with the added enjoyment of slightly different perspectives and mutual pushbacks. Hoping to model a very civil dialog about a very sensitive subject, Preston and Steve dig into several key passages in the discussion and challenge each other in an effort to pursue proper exegesis of the passages at hand.
A very special thank you to Preston for coming on to the podcast, even though he knew from listening to our critique episodes that we didn’t agree with his and Francis Chan’s conclusions! It is our prayer that, even when disagreeing with each other, all of us in the body of Christ can approach subjects like this with friendliness and mutual respect.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:21:02 — 74.2MB) | Embed
August 16th, 2011 at 8:40 am
This was my train of thought after listening…wow, those are some nit-picky arguments on both sides. Where does picking apart every verse become putting a big burden on people. I know that there are many people who love intellectual debate, but not everybody. I don’t see God making it so complicated that you have to be a great scholar to have a relationship with him.
In the past two weeks I have been involved in two conversations at two different parties with two entirely different friend sets where someone was talking about the role of coercion in maintaining order in society. Maybe this is a hot topic in sociology and policy circles, but both of these people were talking about the social evolution of coercive religion to force adherence to laws that benefit society.
I don’t doubt that there are some people who need, or at least feel like they need, the threat of Hell to keep them on the straight and narrow. At the same time , though, what does a coerced relationship have to do with love? And if God’s ways are so much higher that I cannot understand, how can it be just to hold me to a standard that is beyond my understanding and ability to meet?
Personally, I think the gospel is simple and God’s love is straight forward and freeing; coercion has another source.
August 18th, 2011 at 10:42 am
Hi ray & steve
I thought that your interview with Preston was great. I did leave a message on your phone but. it wasnt brilliant. I found it very helpful what you guys said and the interview
Keep up the good work
Cheers Bruce
September 30th, 2011 at 6:02 pm
Hi there. Just listened to this interview and have some thoughts.
Preston had asked the question of why Paul didn’t go to greater detail into a possible universal reconciliation view when this would have been more contrary to views floating around the Jewish people. The fact of it is….. that Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles and when he wrote Romans he was writing to the…. um…. Romans and not to the Jews. One can say something similar to Paul’s other writings. So I don’t think that Preston’s argument holds much water in this regard.
As well….. as to his comment that All in the relevant scriptures means something along the lines of “not just the Jews but also the gentiles”. There still is the matter of Romans 11: 25 – 26 where it indicates how many of the Jews and Gentiles will get saved. This being ALL of the Jews AFTER the FULLNESS of the nations. That’s everybody. Prestons argument may have some validility but it just doesn’t erase the fact that Paul is saying that ALL of the Jews and Gentiles will get saved.
Romans 9: 27 – 29 also touches on the amount of Jews that will be saved…..”If the number of the sons of Israel should be as the sand of the sea, the residue shall be saved, for a conclusive and concise accounting the Lord will be doing on the Earth”
That’s all of them.
December 3rd, 2012 at 6:23 am
[...] I listened to an interview with Preston Sprinkle who coauthored with Francis Chan the book, “Erasing Hell: What God said about eternity, and [...]
December 3rd, 2012 at 6:34 am
Hipster snark is unworthy of the subject matter guys. Laughing, punning, giggling, irony, sophomoric tone are all unworthy of the subject matter. We’re talking about Hell, guys. Tone it down. State your case, concerns, interact with biblical materials, clarify your points. People raised up in evangelicalism who can no longer carry its water is understood. Your tone reminded me of Tom Ashbrook’s show here. http://onpoint.wbur.org/2012/11/30/the-case-against-irony