My upbringing consisted of weekly threats from the pulpit of eternal damnation and nothing to contradict that info from my parents and family. This book brings me hope and was a good read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company for an ARC of this book.

When my kids were young, their cousin told them that if they don’t believe in God, they will go to hell. I don’t think their cousin said it to be mean; I believe she was just sharing something she learned in school and was worried they might not be learning the same things in public school that she was learning in Catholic school. My kids relayed the information to me but didn’t seem at all upset by it. I think they had watched enough VeggieTales to feel confident that God was good. My son even said, “Of course, God wouldn’t bring nonbelievers to heaven because then they would feel bad when they found out they were wrong!”

This author makes the case that there is room in heaven for everyone and God finds everyone worthy of redemption. Many examples are given where the Bible may have been misinterpreted, and the “fires of hell” might actually be more like a “smelter of purification.”

I found this to be an engaging and reassuring read. I’d recommend it to anyone who has trouble with the idea that our loving Father in heaven might sentence us to burn in hell for all eternity if we mess up.

Salvation is inclusive and compassionate. The fear of hell was driven into me as a child and gave me severe PTSD. This book can be heavy for readers like me, but it is very insightful and healing! Overall, 'Holy Hell' is a compelling and eye-opening read that challenges our beliefs and raises important discussions about the influence of religion and religious scripts translations. It's a reminder to not blindly follow any belief system, but to constantly question and evaluate our beliefs. Hell is a fear based tactic.

Chapter 1 - Haunted by Hell
Chapter 2 - What We Talk About When We Talk About Hell
Chapter 3 - A Hell By Any Other Name
Chapter 4 - A Paddle In The Hands Of An Angry God Chapter 5 - Breaking Out Of Baby Jail
Chapter 6 - The Bureaucracy Of The Afterlife
Chapter 7 - The Great Work
Chapter 8 - Protestant Purgatory
Chapter 9 - The Circles We Draw Chapter 10 - Kicking And Screaming
Chapter 11 - A Generous Heresy

This is the second book that I have read recently that tries to present the case for universalism (all are saved). Unlike the first, which seemed to be drive more by frustration, anger and anxiety … this one was well reasoned and calm … primarily focused on the Love of God and what that should mean for us. So let’s get this out of the way first …

1) I am not a universalist.
2) I would love to be wrong.

The author makes some compelling points about the incompatibility of a loving God and the eternal torment of Hell … an idea that could be has never set easily with me. To make these points, the author combs through scripture to highlight where exegesis/interpretation was perhaps more ambiguous that commonly believed … and that approaching them from the viewpoint of the universal love of The Father should coach us more toward a universal concept than an exclusive or selective interpretation … including an in depth look at the nuances of the Kone Greek that helps support a position of universal salvation. The author also discusses why this can be difficult for people to accept … imagine salvation for the likes of Hitler or other historical monsters. We just seem to have this internal need to see evil punished simply for the sake of justice … and this is actually not very Christ like. All told, this is a book that I will need to continually come back to and reflect on each point … and hopefully continue to deepen my own understanding and faith even if I can’t always [completely] accept some of what I find here. After all … one of the guiding principles about funeral homilies that I was taught is that we (the Church), should never place the departed in either Heaven or Hell … but to trust in the mercy of our loving God to hold our loved ones as dearly as we do ourselves.

The chapters and sections in this work are:
Chapter 1 - Haunted by Hell
Chapter 2 - What We Talk About When We Talk About Hell
Chapter 3 - A Hell By Any Other Name
Chapter 4 - A Paddle In The Hands Of An Angry God
Chapter 5 - Breaking Out Of Baby Jail
Chapter 6 - The Bureaucracy Of The Afterlife
Chapter 7 - The Great Work
Chapter 8 - Protestant Purgatory
Chapter 9 - The Circles We Draw
Chapter 10 - Kicking And Screaming
Chapter 11 - A Generous Heresy

Another interesting contribution to the conversation on hell. I've read Robin Parry, Edward Fudge, Preston Sprinkle, N.T. Wright, and Rob Bell, so much of this is familiar territory. That being said, I appreciated the emphasis on Christian hope as a good thing as we envision salvation, perhaps even a salvation that was much bigger than we ever dared hope possible.

"Holy Hell" by Derek Ryan Kubilus challenges traditional notions of eternal damnation and offers a thought-provoking exploration into the concept of universal salvation. Kubilus skillfully exposes the distortion of ideas about hell, highlighting how mistranslations in Greek and Hebrew Scriptures have led to a sadistic portrayal of the afterlife. With a compelling argument grounded in theological depth, the book asserts that threats of eternal torment have been wielded as a tool of control by those in power. Kubilus proposes an alternative understanding of hell, envisioning it as a temporary and holy rehabilitation that seeks to reconcile all of creation in Christ. This theologically serious and culturally engaged debut will dismantle assumptions, inviting readers to reconsider a seemingly implacable Christian doctrine and embrace a compassionate vision for a church that serves everyone on their journey toward Christ. I highly recommend!

I don’t say this lightly about any book. In fact, I can count on one hand the times I have made this claim. But this book has completely changed my life. I grew up in a church where we were threatened with hell over any infraction, so reading this book was a healing balm.

Derek Ryan Kubilus's "Holy Hell" is a thought-provoking and audacious exploration of one of Christianity's most controversial and terrifying concepts: hell. Kubilus invites readers into a lively and well-researched debate that challenges the traditional imagery of eternal torment and the lake of fire that has dominated Christian teachings for centuries.

At its core, "Holy Hell" is a book about hope and the boundless love of God. Kubilus embarks on a meticulous examination of biblical texts, arguing that mainstream interpretations of hell have been warped by mistranslations and the agendas of those in positions of ecclesiastical power. He suggests that, instead of the eternal damnation that has been preached to keep believers in line, hell could be seen as a process of purification—a divine therapy, so to speak.

Kubilus isn't just a theologian with an idea; he's a storyteller who brings his vision to life with engaging prose and compelling arguments. His case for universal salvation rests on a God whose essence is love and who desires reconciliation with all creation. This vision of hell as a temporary state where souls are rehabilitated rather than punished indefinitely is not just a theological assertion but a call to reflect on the nature of God and God's relationship with humanity.

"Holy Hell" is as much an academic treatise as it is a cultural critique, delving into how the doctrines of hell have been used to exert control over congregations, instilling fear rather than faith. Kubilus's alternative perspective encourages a church that is inclusive and compassionate, a stark contrast to the image of a God who casts sinners into an abyss of endless suffering.

The writing is accessible, making complex theological concepts understandable to a lay audience without sacrificing depth. Kubilus does not shy away from the potential criticisms and counterarguments that his position may face, making "Holy Hell" a balanced and thorough examination of its subject matter.

For those entrenched in traditional Christian doctrine, "Holy Hell" may be challenging and even unsettling. However, it's a necessary discomfort for anyone seeking to grow in their faith and understanding of divine justice. Kubilus’s work is a beacon for those who have struggled with the concept of a loving God presiding over a realm of eternal punishment, offering a different lens through which to view Christian eschatology.

In conclusion, "Holy Hell" is a provocative, enlightening, and ultimately hopeful book that dares to reimagine one of the most feared aspects of Christian theology. Derek Ryan Kubilus not only questions the foundations of centuries-old teachings but also provides a compelling argument for a more loving and redemptive interpretation of the scriptures. This book is a must-read for theologians, clergy, and believers who are open to questioning and expanding their understanding of what hell could be in the context of a loving and merciful God.

Thanks to NetGalley and Wm. B Eerdmans Publishing Company for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

A tiny disclaimer before I get started: I am not a devout Christian. I am not an atheist also. I have been a part of more than one church. I have been a part of a church choir. I have studied to be a Sunday school teacher. I have been a part of a super-inclusive and super-small LGBT+ church. I have had a nail tech who was an ordained minister – up until she moved to a country where women couldn’t be ordained. I have met the most awesome Christian people and we have had the most awesome conversations. Yet here I am – me and my agnostic brain. My special interest is in Christianity and religions in general. I want to know what idea originated where. And this book is here for it.
If you are me, then this book is EVERYTHING. It is everything I was ever looking for a book about the bible and Christianity in general, and then some more. Ok, much more. A lot more. And, trust me, I studied philosophy at university, I have always been super interested in all sorts of theoretical ecclesiastical research, and I have read a lot. this. Was. The. Best. One. ever.
The whole book felt like a huge gulp of fresh air. If you are anything like me, if you too have struggled with many theological concepts and biblical truths being repeated again and again, if you too have felt that all those truth-repeaters are lost in translation or lost in misinterpretations, this book sets it all straight, this makes it such a validating read.
The book is also incredibly, indescribably well-written, and well-structured. Every chapter makes sense and the way they follow each other makes more and more sense of everything you have always wanted to know. Me, that is. I don’t know about others.
Although the book’s main focus is biblical hell, there is so much more in there. I really wish the author wrote more books, on more subjects; whatever biblical thing he ever decides to write anything, I will be here – eagerly awaiting it.
None of what’s in this book goes against any of the general beliefs that hold all of Christianity together. It is written with so much love, so much faith, and yet so much clarity.