Raising Hell: Christianity's Most Controversial Doctrine Put Under Fire

Have you ever considered the apparent injustices, inconsistencies, and even contradictions of the doctrine of hell? For starters, do earthly parents love their children more than God? Does God ask you to forgive your enemies when He is not willing to do the same? Is being punished forever for sins committed in a short lifetime really "justice"? Does everybody really get the same fair chance to believe in Jesus before they die? If hell is the worst possible fate of mankind, and if God is truly loving, then…

Why did He fail to mention hell in Genesis as the price for sin?

Why doesn’t the Old Testament ever teach about or even mention hell?

Why doesn't Paul, the apostle to the non-Jewish world, ever once mention hell?

Why has orthodox Judaism (to whom Scriptures were given) never believed in any kind of eternal punishment or hell?

Why was hell not the orthodox position of the early Church for five centuries after Christ?

Why can't theologians agree if we are saved by election or free will?

Dare to question. What have you got to lose? If you’ve ever had doubts or questions about the incompatibility of eternal torment with a merciful God, Raising Hell will open your eyes to a radical view of God’s loving purpose for all humanity and what the “Good News” is really about. Picking up where Rob Bell and others leave off, Julie Ferwerda offers compelling evidence historically, philosophically, and scripturally as to why the doctrine of eternal torment is the biggest and most damaging deception of the modern Church.

What people are saying about Raising Hell:

"Such a book as this is seriously needed to liberate people for a loving God!" —Fr. Richard Rohr, O.F.M., Author of Falling Upward and Immortal Diamonds

"The traditional view of hell is highly contestable. If you're ready to venture into some new territory, Bible in hand, you'll find Julie Ferwerda to be a wise, patient, and intrepid guide in Raising Hell." —Brian McLaren, Author of A New Kind of Christianity

"Raising Hell is one of the first books I recommend to anyone who has questions about hell." —Kevin Miller, Director of Hellbound?

"Julie has devoted a great deal of time and energy to producing such a well-researched and well-written book—probably hundreds of hours! She is right on target in saying that we really need to understand the intent behind the Hebrew Scriptures in order to be able to properly interpret them." —Boyd C. Purcell, Ph.D., Author of Spiritual Terrorism: Spiritual Abuse from the Womb to the Tomb