Lazarus's Journey To Hell Essay

Hell is confusing. One of the greatest preachers in American history, Jonathan Edwards, proclaimed, “The God that holds you over the pit of hell, much as one holds a spider, or some loathsome insect over the fire, abhors you, and is dreadfully provoked: his wrath towards you burns like fire; he looks upon you as worthy of nothing else, but to be cast into the fire” (Edwards 97). Yet, another great theologian Jürgen Moltmann stated, “In hell the trumpet signalling liberation has already been heard” (67). So, what is the truth? According to the story of Lazarus and the rich man, a possible error in the Apostle’s Creed, and Revelation, it can be determined that Hell is a real place where the unrighteous will endure eternal suffering. Luke Chapter 16 tells the story of the poor man, Lazarus, and the Rich man. This story gives insight into what actually occurs after death. Verses 22-23 state, “The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham 's side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side” (English Standard Version). This passage contrasts Lazarus’, the poor man, experience in Hades with the rich man’s experience. These two men were not in Hell, but rather a holding place. …show more content…
He presented these ideas without giving support to Jesus actually going to Hell. This support is necessary since there is not much known support, outside of the line in the Apostles’ Creed, at the moment. Williams wrote, “the descent clause does not rightly belong to the Creed” (89). So, the whole basis of his argument does not have merit. Furthermore, Hell does not even exist yet: in the terms that humans can presently occupy it. Kyrtatas believes that only at the final judgement can humans enter into Hell (287). Since Hell is presently unoccupied, as it was during Jesus’ death, Jesus would not have entered into it to redeem those