Hell in Christianity
Christian concept of divine judgment and separation from God.
Hell in Christianity is the place or state into which, by God's definitive judgment, unrepentant sinners pass, either at the general judgment or, as some Christians believe, immediately after death as a result of a person's choice to be separated from God. Its character is inferred from biblical texts, some of which, interpreted literally, have given rise to the popular idea of Hell. Some theologians see Hell as the consequence of rejecting union with God.
- concept
- Hell in Christianity
- field
- Christian theology
- known_for
- Eternal punishment or self-exclusion from God
- key_terms
- Sheol, Hades, Gehenna, Tartarus, Lake of Fire
- denominational_variation
- Yes
Lore & Background
Different Hebrew and Greek words are translated as 'Hell' in most English-language Christian Bibles. These include 'Sheol' in the Hebrew Bible and 'Hades' in the New Testament, which generally refer to the grave or temporary abode of the dead. Some denominations, like the Jehovah's Witnesses, believe these refer to a state of complete unconsciousness. 'Gehenna' in the New Testament is described as a place where both soul and body can be destroyed in unquenchable fire, and was a physical location outside Jerusalem. The Greek verb 'tartarō' occurs once in the New Testament and is translated as 'thrown down to hell' or 'Tartarus', a subterranean place of divine punishment lower than Hades.
Reader's Guide
The concept of Hell in Christianity has evolved over time. Initially in ancient Jewish belief, the dead were consigned to Sheol indiscriminately, but by the third or second century BC, separate divisions for the righteous and wicked emerged. In the New Testament, Gehenna is most frequently described as a place of punishment, while Hades is usually the abode of the dead, with one parable depicting fiery torment. The Eastern Orthodox view holds that Heaven and Hell are experiences of God's presence, not spatial destinations; hell is a state of separation from God. Roman Catholic teaching defines hell as self-exclusion from Heaven due to final impenitence, and the Council of Trent affirmed eternal damnation. The Book of Revelation mentions a lake of fire for the unrighteous and an abyss for the dragon. These varied interpretations reflect ongoing theological debate.
Did You Know?
- The word 'Gehenna' refers to a physical location outside the city walls of Jerusalem.
- Some Eastern Orthodox Christians believe hell is not a place of divine absence but an experience of God's presence as torment.
- The Greek verb 'tartarō' appears only once in the New Testament, in 2 Peter 2:4.
- The parable of Lazarus and Dives in Luke 16 is the only New Testament passage that describes Hades as a place of torment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hell in Christianity?
In Christian theology, Hell is the final state or place into which unrepentant sinners are placed by God's definitive judgment, either at the general resurrection or immediately after death. It is understood either as eternal punishment or as the self-exclusion that results from a person's choice to reject union with God.
What are the different biblical terms associated with Hell?
Scripture employs several distinct words—Sheol, Hades, Gehenna, Tartarus, and the Lake of Fire—each carrying different connotations across the Old and New Testaments. Theologians do not always treat these as interchangeable, and their precise relationship remains a point of interpretive debate.
Do all Christian denominations agree on what Hell is?
No; positions range from eternal conscious torment to annihilationism (the soul ceases to exist) to universalism (all are eventually reconciled to God). Even within a single denomination, scholars frequently disagree on whether Hell is a literal location or a metaphorical state of separation.
Is Hell a physical place or a spiritual condition in Christian teaching?
Traditional readings often describe it as a literal place of fire and torment, drawing on vivid images such as the Lake of Fire in Revelation. Other theologians interpret those passages symbolically, understanding Hell as the experiential reality of being permanently cut off from the source of all goodness.
When does a person enter Hell according to Christian belief?
Some traditions hold that judgment and entry into Hell occur immediately after death, while others teach that the final verdict is rendered at the end of time during the general resurrection. Both views are grounded in different readings of New Testament passages describing Christ's role as the ultimate judge.
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