Could Jonah Have Been Swallowed By A Whale?
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According to the biblical narrative, Jonah was swallowed by a “great fish” (Jonah 1:17 ESV), and spent three days and three nights in its belly before being spat out, unharmed. However, skeptics have long dismissed the tale as fantastical, citing physiological impossibilities. Could Jonah have been swallowed by a whale, or a “great fish”?
A very modern event reminds us not to be too quick to dismiss Biblical accounts as fictional. The BBC reports:
‘I felt a slimy texture brush my face’: Man describes being swallowed by whale”
Andrea Díaz & Ayelén Oliva
BBC Mundo, February 14,2025
Watch: The moment kayaker Adrián Simancas is nearly gulped down by a whale
The first thing kayaker Adrián Simancas noticed after he was eaten by a whale was the slime.
“I spent a second realising I was inside the mouth of something, that maybe it had eaten me, that it could have been an orca or a sea monster,” the 23-year-old told BBC Mundo.
Adrián had started to think how he might survive inside the humpback whale “like Pinocchio” – then the creature spat him back out.
The Venezuelan kayaker had been paddling through the Strait of Magellan, off Chile’s Patagonian coast, with his father when he felt something “hit me from behind, closing in on me and sinking me”.
His father, Dell, was able to capture the short-lived ordeal on video just metres away.
“I closed my eyes, and when I opened them again, I realised I was inside the whale’s mouth,” Adrián told the BBC.
“I felt a slimy texture brush my face,” he recalled, adding that all he could see was dark blue and white.
“I wondered what I could do if it had swallowed me since I could no longer fight to stop it,” he said.
“I had to think about what to do next.”
But within seconds, Adrián started to feel as though he was rising toward the surface.
Adrián Simancas, a 23-year-old Venezuelan, dressed in a colourful, striped poncho.
Adrián Simancas was kayaking when he was nearly swallowed by a humpback whale
“I was a little afraid of whether I would be able to hold my breath because I didn’t know how deep I was, and I felt like it took me a long time to come up.
“I went up for two seconds, and finally I got to the surface and realised that it hadn’t eaten me.”
In a nearby kayak, Adrián’s father Dell Simancas watched on in disbelief.
The pair had just crossed Eagle Bay – down the coast from Punta Arenas, Chile’s southernmost city – when he heard a crash behind him. “When I turned around, I didn’t see Adrián.”
“I was worried for a second, until I saw him coming up out of the sea,” the 49-year-old said.
“Then I saw something, a body, which I immediately interpreted as most likely being a whale because of its size.”
Dell had fixed a camera to the back of his kayak to record the rising waves – which captured his son’s remarkable experience.
Watching the footage back, Adrián – who moved with his father to Chile from Venezuela seven years ago in search of a better quality of life – was shocked to see just how enormous the whale had been.
“I hadn’t seen the moment when the back appears, and the fin is visible. I didn’t see it, I heard it. That made me nervous,” he said.
“But later, with the video, I realised that it actually appeared before me in such a huge size that perhaps if I had seen it, it would have scared me even more.”
‘Physically impossible to swallow’
For Adrián, the experience was not just about survival – but he said felt he had received a “second chance” when the whale spat him out.
The “unique” experience in one of the most extreme places on Earth had “invited me to reflect on what I could have done better up until that point, and on the ways I can take advantage of the experience and appreciate it as well”, he added.
But there is a simple reason he was able to escape the whale so quickly, according to a wildlife expert.
Humpback whales have narrow throats “about the size of a household pipe” designed for swallowing small fish and shrimp, Brazilian conservationist Roched Jacobson Seba told the BBC.
“They physically cannot swallow large objects like kayaks, tires, or even big fish like tuna,” he said.
“Ultimately, the whale spit out the kayak because it was physically impossible to swallow.”
The humpback whale likely engulfed Adrián by accident, Mr Seba suggested.
“The whale was likely feeding on a school of fish when it unintentionally scooped up the kayak along with its meal.
“When whales surface too quickly while feeding, they can accidentally hit or engulf objects in their path.”
He warned that the encounter served as “an important reminder” to avoid using paddleboards, surfboards or other silent vessels in areas where whales usually swim.
Boats used for whale watching and research must always keep their engines on, he added, as the noise helps whales detect their presence.
This modern day account of a man being swallowed by a whale lends credence to the Biblical account of Jonah.
— Most of the objections to the authenticity of Jonah spring from the critics denial of God’s sovereignty over the natural world and history, including his ability to intervene supernaturally in the created order. In the book, “Yahweh” is presented as Creator, “the God of Heaven, who made both sea and dry land” (1:9 NJB). Creation responds obediently to his every command (1:4,15,17; 2:10; 4:6-8), serving the will of the Creator. If God can create the universe (Genesis 1:1), then he owns it and has control over it.
— The account of Jonah being swallowed by the huge fish is miraculous only in the sense that God caused it to swallow Jonah shortly after he was thrown into the sea. There is evidence that the ancient seaport at Joppa was a headquarters for whalers. It is not stated exactly what kind of “huge fish” (1:17) swallowed Jonah. It could have been one that is now extinct. The sperm whale, for example, has a huge head that is about one-third of the length of its body, and is very capable of swallowing a man whole. There have, in fact, been a few documented reports of men in the past being swallowed by huge fish, and coming out alive. While most translations use the word “belly” to describe where Jonah was “inside the fish,” (1:17 NLT), the Hebrew is not that precise. He could have been in the oral cavity of a large-mouthed whale. Since whales are warm-blooded air breathers that periodically surface for air, it therefore could have provided Jonah with the oxygen he needed, while its body heat would have prevented Jonah from being overcome with hypothermia.
According to the Bible and actual facts Jonah could have been swallowed by a whale, or a “great fish”. Jesus believed the account of Jonah being swallowed by the whale or “great fish” was historical, not fictional:
“Jesus replied, ‘Only an evil, adulterous generation would demand a miraculous sign; but the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights. The people of Nineveh will stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for they repented of their sins at the preaching of Jonah. Now someone greater than Jonah is here–but you refuse to repent’”—Matthew 12:39-41 NLT (also, see Matthew 16:4 and Luke 11:29,30,32). Jesus Christ, the Son of God, regarded the book of Jonah as historical, and beneficial. So did Bible writers Matthew and Luke.
22 thoughts on “Could Jonah Have Been Swallowed By A Whale?”
The story of Jonah and the whale or Jonah and the big fish is so ridiculous, irrational, and false. A human person cannot survive for long in the digestive system of a whale or big fish. They would die of suffocation or lack of air in about five minutes.
Spending a little time in the mouth of a whale is just not the same as spending hours or days in the stomach or intestines of a whale. The former is survivable, but the latter is not.
This story of Jonah is just fiction.
GW—The story of Jonah and the whale or Jonah and the big fish is so ridiculous, irrational, and false. A human person cannot survive for long in the digestive system of a whale or big fish. They would die of suffocation or lack of air in about five minutes.
Spending a little time in the mouth of a whale is just not the same as spending hours or days in the stomach or intestines of a whale. The former is survivable, but the latter is not.
BA—Most of the objections to the authenticity of Jonah spring from the critics denial of God’s sovereignty over the natural world and history, including his ability to intervene supernaturally in the created order. In the book, “Yahweh” is presented as Creator, “the God of Heaven, who made both sea and dry land” (1:9 NJB). Creation responds obediently to his every command (1:4,15,17; 2:10; 4:6-8), serving the will of the Creator. If God can create the universe (Genesis 1:1), then he owns it and has control over it.
The account of Jonah being swallowed by the huge fish is miraculous only in the sense that God caused it to swallow Jonah shortly after he was thrown into the sea. There is evidence that the ancient seaport at Joppa was a headquarters for whalers. It is not stated exactly what kind of “huge fish” (1:17) swallowed Jonah. It could have been one that is now extinct. The sperm whale, for example, has a huge head that is about one-third of the length of its body, and is very capable of swallowing a man whole. There have, in fact, been a few documented reports of men being swallowed by huge fish, and coming out alive. While most translations use the word “belly” to describe where Jonah was “inside the fish,” (1:17 NLT), the Hebrew is not that precise. He could have been in the oral cavity of a large-mouthed whale. Since whales are warm-blooded air breathers that periodically surface for air, it therefore could have provided Jonah with the oxygen he needed, while its body heat would have prevented Jonah from being overcome with hypothermia.
GW—The story of Jonah and the whale or Jonah and the big fish is so ridiculous, irrational, and false. A human person cannot survive for long in the digestive system of a whale or big fish. They would die of suffocation or lack of air in about five minutes.
Spending a little time in the mouth of a whale is just not the same as spending hours or days in the stomach or intestines of a whale. The former is survivable, but the latter is not.
BA—Most of the objections to the authenticity of Jonah spring from the critics denial of God’s sovereignty over the natural world and history, including his ability to intervene supernaturally in the created order. In the book, “Yahweh” is presented as Creator, “the God of Heaven, who made both sea and dry land” (1:9 NJB). Creation responds obediently to his every command (1:4,15,17; 2:10; 4:6-8), serving the will of the Creator. If God can create the universe (Genesis 1:1), then he owns it and has control over it.
The account of Jonah being swallowed by the huge fish is miraculous only in the sense that God caused it to swallow Jonah shortly after he was thrown into the sea. There is evidence that the ancient seaport at Joppa was a headquarters for whalers. It is not stated exactly what kind of “huge fish” (1:17) swallowed Jonah. It could have been one that is now extinct. The sperm whale, for example, has a huge head that is about one-third of the length of its body, and is very capable of swallowing a man whole. There have, in fact, been a few documented reports of men being swallowed by huge fish, and coming out alive. While most translations use the word “belly” to describe where Jonah was “inside the fish,” (1:17 NLT), the Hebrew is not that precise. He could have been in the oral cavity of a large-mouthed whale. Since whales are warm-blooded air breathers that periodically surface for air, it therefore could have provided Jonah with the oxygen he needed, while its body heat would have prevented Jonah from being overcome with hypothermia.
Did you intend to send the same reply back to us that we sent you at 1:43 EST?
I don’t know the answer to your question, but here are more of my thoughts on the matter.
GW—The story of Jonah and the whale or Jonah and the big fish is so ridiculous, irrational, and false. A human person cannot survive for long in the digestive system of a whale or big fish. They would die of suffocation or lack of air in about five minutes.
GW: Spending a little time in the mouth of a whale is just not the same as spending hours or days in the stomach or intestines of a whale. The former is survivable, but the latter is not.
BA—Most of the objections to the authenticity of Jonah spring from the critics denial of God’s sovereignty over the natural world and history, including his ability to intervene supernaturally in the created order.
GW: For a man to survive inside a whale for more than five minutes without any technological devices would violate natural law, and so this could only occur by some intervention by a supernatural agent. It would be a miracle if it did occur. But no miracle has ever been proven to have occurred. Also, it has been proven that God does not exist.
BA: In the book, “Yahweh” is presented as Creator, “the God of Heaven, who made both sea and dry land” (1:9 NJB). Creation responds obediently to his every command (1:4,15,17; 2:10; 4:6-8), serving the will of the Creator. If God can create the universe (Genesis 1:1), then he owns it and has control over it.
GW: But the book to which you refer here, i.e. the Bible, is just mistaken. God does not exist. This has been proven.
BA: The account of Jonah being swallowed by the huge fish is miraculous only in the sense that God caused it to swallow Jonah shortly after he was thrown into the sea.
GW: False. In the story the incident is miraculous because Jonah supposedly survived the ordeal. That would be impossible, according to biological laws.
BA: There is evidence that the ancient seaport at Joppa was a headquarters for whalers. It is not stated exactly what kind of “huge fish” (1:17) swallowed Jonah. It could have been one that is now extinct. The sperm whale, for example, has a huge head that is about one-third of the length of its body, and is very capable of swallowing a man whole.
GW: As I said, if Jonah remained in the animal for more than 5 minutes he would die! Try it.
BA: There have, in fact, been a few documented reports of men being swallowed by huge fish, and coming out alive.
GW: How long were they in there? Let’s see your links to those reports.
BA: While most translations use the word “belly” to describe where Jonah was “inside the fish,” (1:17 NLT), the Hebrew is not that precise. He could have been in the oral cavity of a large-mouthed whale.
GW: I agree that if Jonah was in the mouth and was expelled quickly, he could survive, but that is not the story.
BA: Since whales are warm-blooded air breathers that periodically surface for air, it therefore could have provided Jonah with the oxygen he needed, while its body heat would have prevented Jonah from being overcome with hypothermia.
GW: But none of that fits with the details of the Bible story. If Jonah did survive, it would be a miracle! But the evidence is not good enough to substantiate that.
BA: While most translations use the word “belly” to describe where Jonah was “inside the fish,” (1:17 NLT), the Hebrew is not that precise. He could have been in the oral cavity of a large-mouthed whale.
GW: I agree that if Jonah was in the mouth and was expelled quickly, he could survive, but that is not the story.
BA: Since whales are warm-blooded air breathers that periodically surface for air, it therefore could have provided Jonah with the oxygen he needed, while its body heat would have prevented Jonah from being overcome with hypothermia.
GW: But none of that fits with the details of the Bible story. If Jonah did survive, it would be a miracle! But the evidence is not good enough to substantiate that.
BA—While none of the great fish swallowings of humans are identical to the swallowing of Jonah in the book bearing his name, they do give credence to the Biblical account.
BA: While most translations use the word “belly” to describe where Jonah was “inside the fish,” (1:17 NLT), the Hebrew is not that precise. He could have been in the oral cavity of a large-mouthed whale.
GW: I agree that if Jonah was in the mouth and was expelled quickly, he could survive, but that is not the story.
BA: Since whales are warm-blooded air breathers that periodically surface for air, it therefore could have provided Jonah with the oxygen he needed, while its body heat would have prevented Jonah from being overcome with hypothermia.
GW: But none of that fits with the details of the Bible story. If Jonah did survive, it would be a miracle! But the evidence is not good enough to substantiate that.
BA—While none of the great fish swallowings of humans are identical to the swallowing of Jonah in the book bearing his name, they do give credence to the Biblical account.
GW: No, they don’t at all! There have been verified and documented incidents in which a human person has spent less than five minutes in the mouth of a “great fish” or a whale and survived, but not any incident in which a human person has spent hours or days in the digestive tract of a “great fish” or a whale and survived. That would violate natural law in biology. The human person would die, probably due to lack of oxygen. If a human person ever did survive such an ordeal, it would be a miracle. But a miracle has never been proven to have occurred.
GW: I think you have read my book “God Wants You to be an Atheist.” Here is what I said about miracles in that book, page 97:
“Let’s take a look at some definitions offered by Christian thinkers. Richard Purtill has said “I propose to define a miracle as an event in which God temporarily makes an exception to the natural order of things, to show that God is acting” (62-3). According to Norman Geisler and Frank Turek, a miracle is “a special act of God that interrupts the normal course of events” ( 201). And finally, world-renown Christian philosopher Richard Swinburne says “I shall now follow a normal usage of the word ‘miracle’ and call a violation (or quasi-violation) of a natural law by the action or permission of God a miracle” (282). All three of these definitions include the two core ideas that a miracle is an event which 1) is an exception to, violation of, or interruption of the natural order of things or of natural law, and 2) is caused or produced by God. In these definitions of a “miracle” not only is it assumed that God exists but, just as in my definition of “God” presented in an earlier chapter, God can and does intervene in the universe, especially with respect to incidents involving humans beings. Thus, when someone claims that a miracle has occurred, he is asserting that an event has occurred which is an exception to natural law, that God exists, that the nature of God includes omnipotence or great power and also the capability and willingness to intervene, and that God has chosen to cause the event in question. It is a heavy burden to bear for any person to demonstrate all of these simultaneous claims.”
That’s OK, you have the God-given right to believe whatever you want to.
Jesus, when on earth, made clear his belief in the historicity of the Biblical account that “Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish” (Matthew 12:40 NIV).
We, at this website, choose to believe Jesus over ordinary humans.
“Each of us will give an account of ourselves to God”—Romans 14:12 NIV
BA: That’s OK, you have the God-given right to believe whatever you want to.
GW: False. Rights are not given by God. He doesn’t exist, and this has been proven. Rights are given by authorities in communities to members of the communities.
BA: Jesus, when on earth, made clear his belief in the historicity of the Biblical account that “Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish” (Matthew 12:40 NIV).
GW: There was insufficient evidence that this alleged miracle actually occurred, and so Jesus was not thinking rationally when he allegedly endorsed the story of Jonah and the Big Fish. Survival after three days inside a big fish? Ha. Impossible!
BA: We, at this website, choose to believe Jesus over ordinary humans.
GW: I believe people who think rationally over people who do not. Jesus had no special powers or authority. He was just a traveling minister. He believed in God, and God does not exist. This has been proven. So Jesus should not be trusted.
BA: “Each of us will give an account of ourselves to God”—Romans 14:12 NIV
GW: No, we won’t. That is impossible. Why? Because God does not exist. This has been proven. However, if God did exist, he would judge each of our behaviors when they occurred, either as moral, immoral, or neutral. If he judged our behavior to be moral and if we had not been sufficiently rewarded by the natural or social environment, then God would reward us sufficiently and justly. If he judged our behavior to be immoral and if we had not been sufficiently punished by the natural or social environment, then God would punish us sufficiently and justly. If he judged the behavior to be neutral, then he would not do anything. The point here is that an all-powerful, all-knowing, and perfectly moral deity would reward and punish justly and immediately. No waiting till after death. Punishment is for reformation and change, not for torture.
GW—Punishment is for reformation and change, not for torture.
BA—God has been long misrepresented, in fact, slandered, with the pagan “hellfire” dogma that you refer to.
For example, “building the high places for Baal to burn their children in the fire–something I never considered or said or commanded” (Jeremiah 19:5 NAB).
God has never, and will never, torture anyone.
“The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23), not eternal life in “hellfire”.
“The dead no longer know anything. . . . there will be no . . . knowledge . . . in Sheol” (Ecclesiastes 9:5,10 NAB).
Eternal death, non-existence, is God’s punishment.
GW—Punishment is for reformation and change, not for torture.
BA—God has been long misrepresented, in fact, slandered, with the pagan “hellfire” dogma that you refer to.
GW: If God did exist, he would punish to reform and deter, but never torture.
GW: However, many verses in the Bible assert or imply that God does torture people in some afterlife. These verses are just mistaken. So, even if God did exist (he doesn’t), the Bible would not be the Word of God.
BA: For example, “building the high places for Baal to burn their children in the fire–something I never considered or said or commanded” (Jeremiah 19:5 NAB).
GW: But there are many other verses which assert or imply that God does torture.
BA: God has never, and will never, torture anyone.
GW: Torture is the worst moral infraction. If God did exist, he would not torture.
BA: “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23), not eternal life in “hellfire”.
GW: But other verses imply hellfire or something like it.
GW: Anyway, the last few days I’ve been thinking that if God did exist, he would not cause death as the wages of sin. Instead, he would cause short periods of suffering as the wages of sin, with the suffering proportional to the severity of the sin. That seems to make more sense than what is stated in the Bible (your quote). What do you think?
BA: “The dead no longer know anything. . . . there will be no . . . knowledge . . . in Sheol” (Ecclesiastes 9:5,10 NAB).
GW: Death is probably the end of existence. But causing death or allowing it to occur when you could prevent it is a moral violation.
BA: Eternal death, non-existence, is God’s punishment.
GW: That is your belief which is almost certainly mistaken. God would not use death as a punishment for sin. See above.
GW: However, many verses in the Bible assert or imply that God does torture people in some afterlife. These verses are just mistaken. So, even if God did exist (he doesn’t), the Bible would not be the Word of God.
BA: For example, “building the high places for Baal to burn their children in the fire–something I never considered or said or commanded” (Jeremiah 19:5 NAB).
GW: But there are many other verses which assert or imply that God does torture.
BA: God has never, and will never, torture anyone.
GW: Torture is the worst moral infraction. If God did exist, he would not torture.
BA: “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23), not eternal life in “hellfire”.
GW: But other verses imply hellfire or something like it.
BA: “The dead no longer know anything. . . . there will be no . . . knowledge . . . in Sheol” (Ecclesiastes 9:5,10 NAB).
GW: Death is probably the end of existence. But causing death or allowing it to occur when you could prevent it is a moral violation.
BA: Eternal death, non-existence, is God’s punishment.
GW: That is your belief which is almost certainly mistaken. God would not use death as a punishment for sin. See above.
BA–If you wish to discuss those scriptures that you think imply God tortures some people after death, mention them.
GW: Anyway, the last few days I’ve been thinking that if God did exist, he would not cause death as the wages of sin. Instead, he would cause short periods of suffering as the wages of sin, with the suffering proportional to the severity of the sin. That seems to make more sense than what is stated in the Bible (your quote). What do you think?
BA—No, God knows much better than we do what is best.
BA–If you wish to discuss those scriptures that you think imply God tortures some people after death, mention them.
GW: There are many, but let’s start with this one:
Mark 9: 47-48 NIV: Quote of Jesus: 47 And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, 48 where “‘the worms that eat them do not die, and the fire is not quenched.’” Here Jesus asserts that God tortures people in afterlives.
GW: Anyway, the last few days I’ve been thinking that if God did exist, he would not cause death as the wages of sin. Instead, he would cause short periods of suffering as the wages of sin, with the suffering proportional to the severity of the sin. That seems to make more sense than what is stated in the Bible (your quote). What do you think?
BA—No, God knows much better than we do what is best.
GW: Once again, you are begging the question – assuming that God exists, when this has not been proven. In fact, the opposite has been proven – God does not exist.
GW: The Community of Rational Thinkers knows much better than you do what God would think in regard to doing the “best.”
GW: You and I both agree that if God did exist, he would punish people, as necessary. But we disagree about HOW he would punish people. You believe that God would cause people to die as punishment. I believe that God would cause people temporary pain or suffering as punishment and would not cause people to die. Who is correct? I am. Why?
GW: Because God would be all-powerful and perfectly moral if he did exist, he would follow this moral rule: “Any person X should not cause or allow the death of Y, if X has the power, knowledge, and opportunity to prevent it, unless X must do it either in order to 1) prevent the death or serious injury of oneself or some other innocent person (defense), or 2) end the intractable, lasting, intense pain and suffering of another person (mercy). It is immoral to violate this moral rule.”
GW: If he did exist, God would have the requisite power, knowledge, and opportunity to prevent causing or allowing the death of other persons, and the two exceptions in the rule would not apply to him. And so, he would comply with the stated moral rule. But punishment would be necessary to some extent for reformation and deterrence. He would punish people in the best possible manner. This would not entail killing them or allowing them to die. He would use the least amount of force necessary to achieve the goals of reformation and deterrence. For example, he might cause people to have a headache after they sinned and he knew that they were not going to justly experience negative consequences from the physical or social environment. I imagine that all headaches used as punishment would be of the same moderate intensity but would vary in duration according to the severity of the sin. So, imagine that for stealing a $4 candy bar God might give a person a headache lasting ten minutes, but that for committing genocide (think of Hitler) God might give the person a headache lasting one year. This system would be effective. People would reform after their sinning and other people would be deterred from sinning by observing the punishments of others. Get it?
GW: Unfortunately, you were indoctrinated into very specific religious beliefs as a child and you have not acquired the necessary critical thinking skills, reasoning skills, to break the chains of those beliefs. You need to go back to the drawing board and think about what God WOULD DO and WOULD NOT DO, if he did exist. To do this you must start with an understanding of the NATURE of God, as described in the standard definition of God, which I present in the first step of all my relevant arguments.
GW—BA–If you wish to discuss those scriptures that you think imply God tortures some people after death, mention them.
GW: There are many, but let’s start with this one:
Mark 9: 47-48 NIV: Quote of Jesus: 47 And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, 48 where “‘the worms that eat them do not die, and the fire is not quenched.’” Here Jesus asserts that God tortures people in afterlives.
BA—Jesus does no such thing.
Protestants and Catholics often cite Mark 9:47,48 as “proof” that hell is a fire. “If your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. Better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to thrown into Gehenna, where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched” (NAB). “[9:44,46] These verses, lacking in some important early manuscripts, are here omitted as scribal additions. They simply repeat Mk 9:48”—NAB footnote
The Greek word “Gehenna”, transliterated in the just quoted NAB, means eternal death, eternal non-existence, not eternal life in “hellfire”. In Jesus’ day, his listeners were very familiar with the fact that “Gehenna” was “the rubbish dump of Jerusalem, with its perpetual fires” (Catholic New Jerusalem Bible [NJB] note on Mark 9:48), and the fires were kept going continually by adding sulfur, or brimstone, to them. The dead bodies of animals, and even hard-core criminals who had been executed by stoning, whose bodies no one claimed for a decent burial, and were viewed as unworthy of resurrection were also thrown into this huge garbage dump called “Gehenna”. Jesus’ listeners were very familiar with these facts, and he built his metaphor about the eternally dead state of the wicked upon it.
On the edges of this huge dump site located in the Valley of Hinnom, just outside Jerusalem’s south wall, however, were ‘worms’ or maggots, which ate the rufuse, where the fires did not reach. Those who use these verses to “prove” hellfire, are, in effect, claiming there are ‘worms’ burning eternally in hellfire. How ridiculous!
GW—BA–If you wish to discuss those scriptures that you think imply God tortures some people after death, mention them.
GW: There are many, but let’s start with this one:
Mark 9: 47-48 NIV: Quote of Jesus: 47 And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, 48 where “‘the worms that eat them do not die, and the fire is not quenched.’” Here Jesus asserts that God tortures people in afterlives.
BA—Jesus does no such thing.
Protestants and Catholics often cite Mark 9:47,48 as “proof” that hell is a fire. “If your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. Better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to thrown into Gehenna, where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched” (NAB). “[9:44,46] These verses, lacking in some important early manuscripts, are here omitted as scribal additions. They simply repeat Mk 9:48”—NAB footnote
GW: I am using the NIV, so I won’t be convinced by your using the NAB, the NJB, or any other Bible version which you cherry pick. You are engaged in confirmation bias, which goes against Reason. Also, I don’t care what “Protestants and Catholics often cite.” Deal directly with my claims, not those of anyone else.
GW: So far, you have not proven that Jesus is not asserting that God tortures people in afterlives.
BA: The Greek word “Gehenna”, transliterated in the just quoted NAB, means eternal death, eternal non-existence, not eternal life in “hellfire”.
GW: I am not using the NAB. Use the NIV to prove your point, if you can.
BA: In Jesus’ day, his listeners were very familiar with the fact that “Gehenna” was “the rubbish dump of Jerusalem, with its perpetual fires” (Catholic New Jerusalem Bible [NJB] note on Mark 9:48), and the dead bodies of animals and criminals who were viewed as unworthy of resurrection were also thrown.
GW: Bart Ehrman has claimed that Jesus was thrown in the dump after being removed from the crosss, and I think he is probably correct. Thus, no tomb.
BA: On the edges of this huge dump site located in the Valley of Hinnom, just outside Jerusalem’s south wall, however, were ‘worms’ where the fires did not reach. Those who use these verses to “prove” hellfire, are, in effect, claiming there are ‘worms’ burning eternally in hellfire. How ridiculous!
GW: Consider that Jesus may be speaking metaphorically to indicate that God does torture some people in afterlives.
GW: Here is a second one: “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Mat 10:28 NIV)
GW: Here is a third one: “…and anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire. Rev. 20:15 (NIV)
GW: I think that you believe from your interpretation of Bible verses that God exists and simply ends the existence of unforgiven sinners when they die, but most Christians do not share your belief about this, and they use the same Bible verses. If God did exist, we would not have these disagreements about God’s alleged Word. We would all know God’s Word and there wouldn’t be any disagreements about it. Why? Because God himself would distribute printed or digital copies of his Word after each of his lectures to whomever wanted one. Duh.
GW: There are many, but let’s start with this one:
Mark 9: 47-48 NIV: Quote of Jesus: 47 And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, 48 where “‘the worms that eat them do not die, and the fire is not quenched.’” Here Jesus asserts that God tortures people in afterlives.
BA—Jesus does no such thing.
Protestants and Catholics often cite Mark 9:47,48 as “proof” that hell is a fire. “If your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. Better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to thrown into Gehenna, where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched” (NAB). “[9:44,46] These verses, lacking in some important early manuscripts, are here omitted as scribal additions. They simply repeat Mk 9:48”—NAB footnote
GW: I am using the NIV, so I won’t be convinced by your using the NAB, the NJB, or any other Bible version which you cherry pick. You are engaged in confirmation bias, which goes against Reason. Also, I don’t care what “Protestants and Catholics often cite.” Deal directly with my claims, not those of anyone else
BA—No. sir, we’re sorry, you’re wrong!
The New Testament was written in Koine’ Greek. The Greek word is Gehenna, which is accurately transliterated in the NAB in each of its NT uses.
The NIV and others mistranslate Gehenna as “hell”. At this website, we use the most accurate English translations for each verse.
“Hell” translates the Greek word “hades”, not “Gehenna”.
Your argument fails for several reasons, but especially due to your insistence on using the inaccurate NIV at Mark 9:48.
GW: Bart Ehrman has claimed that Jesus was thrown in the dump after being removed from the crosss, and I think he is probably correct. Thus, no tomb.
BA—Bart Ehrman’s “foolish and ignorant speculations” (2 Timothy 2:23 NASB) are completely unfounded, and are proven false by the inspired written record.
All 4 gospels report that Jesus was buried in a tomb (Matthew 27:58,59; Mark 15:46;Luke 23:53; John 19:40-42).
GW–BA: On the edges of this huge dump site located in the Valley of Hinnom, just outside Jerusalem’s south wall, however, were ‘worms’ where the fires did not reach. Those who use these verses to “prove” hellfire, are, in effect, claiming there are ‘worms’ burning eternally in hellfire. How ridiculous!
GW: Consider that Jesus may be speaking metaphorically to indicate that God does torture some people in afterlives.
BA–That’s impossible because Jesus’ listeners were well aware that only the bodies of already dead people were thrown into Gehenna. Jesus was warning by way of a well-known local example of the wicked being eternally non-existent.
GW: Here is a second one: “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Mat 10:28 NIV)
BA—“Hades” does not appear in the Greek text at Matthew 10:28. The original Greek is accurately translated, “be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna” (Matthew 10:28 NAB). The NIV mistranslates “Gehenna” as “hell”.
GW: Here is a third one: “…and anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire. Rev. 20:15 (NIV)
BA—‘Hades” is not in the Greek text at Revelation 20:15.
The immediate context makes clear what “the lake of fire” is.
“The lake of fire is the second death” (Revelation 29:14 NIV).
“Hades is used at Revelation 20:13: “And death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done” (NIV).
Hades is shown to temporary. All the dead in hell are resurrected, and judged after their resurrection. Hell is not said to be a fire.
GW: I think that you believe from your interpretation of Bible verses that God exists and simply ends the existence of unforgiven sinners when they die, but most Christians do not share your belief about this, and they use the same Bible verses. If God did exist, we would not have these disagreements about God’s alleged Word. We would all know God’s Word and there wouldn’t be any disagreements about it. Why? Because God himself would distribute printed or digital copies of his Word after each of his lectures to whomever wanted one. Duh.
BA—No, sir, “the god of this age has blinded the minds of people” (2 Corinthians 4:4 NIV),
“False teachers” were foretold to introduce “false doctrines”, “doctrines of demons” (2 Peter 2:1-3; 1 Timothy 1:3 NIV; 4:1 NASB) into “the church of the living God” (1 Timothy 3:15).
This is exactly what has happened, as foretold.
“Hellfire” is one of the “doctrines of demons”.
GW: I am using the NIV, so I won’t be convinced by your using the NAB, the NJB, or any other Bible version which you cherry pick. You are engaged in confirmation bias, which goes against Reason. Also, I don’t care what “Protestants and Catholics often cite.” Deal directly with my claims, not those of anyone else
BA—No. sir, we’re sorry, you’re wrong!
GW: I made seven different assertions in those four sentences. Take each assertion, one by one, and present your case why you believe each is wrong.
BA: The New Testament was written in Koine’ Greek. The Greek word is Gehenna, which is accurately transliterated in the NAB in each of its NT uses.
GW: I don’t use the NAB. I consistently use one version, the NIV. You jump all over the place and cherry pick a version which supports your position. This is known as confirmation bias.
BA: The NIV and others mistranslate Gehenna as “hell”.
GW: You could make that point without citing any other version. But even if you were correct about a mistranslation here, I don’t think it refutes my conclusion.
BA: At this website, we use the most accurate English translations for each verse.
GW: That is your claim, but I’m not buying it. You are engaged in confirmation bias. I’ve recommended this to you before: Pick the ONE version which you think is the best or most accurate and stick with it. Don’t jump around.
BA: “Hell” translates the Greek word “hades”, not “Gehenna”.
GW: Please present evidence from an expert on your claim about the translation. I want quotes, citations, and links.
BA: Your argument fails for several reasons, but especially due to your insistence on using the inaccurate NIV at Mark 9:48.
GW: So far, you have not refuted my conclusion by my use of Mark 9:48 NIV, and I have many other verses which support my position.
GW: Bart Ehrman has claimed that Jesus was thrown in the dump after being removed from the crosss, and I think he is probably correct. Thus, no tomb.
BA—Bart Ehrman’s “foolish and ignorant speculations” (2 Timothy 2:23 NASB) are completely unfounded, and are proven false by the inspired written record.
All 4 gospels report that Jesus was buried in a tomb (Matthew 27:58,59; Mark 15:46;Luke 23:53; John 19:40-42).
GW: False. Bart Ehrman’s conclusion is neither foolish nor ignorant. It is rational and well informed. It takes into account the typical practice of the Romans. Ehrman says that in all his studies he has not found another instance in which the Romans allowed a crucified victim to be buried in a proper tomb, as has been alleged in the case of Jesus. There is no good evidence that the Gospels were divinely inspired, and there is good evidence that the were not! From the first verse, Genesis 1:1, we know they were not divinely inspired. The verse is false! The four Gospels are not eyewitness reports and they are not independent. We know Matthew and Luke copied from Mark.
BA: On the edges of this huge dump site located in the Valley of Hinnom, just outside Jerusalem’s south wall, however, were ‘worms’ where the fires did not reach. Those who use these verses to “prove” hellfire, are, in effect, claiming there are ‘worms’ burning eternally in hellfire. How ridiculous!
GW: Consider that Jesus may be speaking metaphorically to indicate that God does torture some people in afterlives.
BA–That’s impossible because Jesus’ listeners were well aware that only the bodies of already dead people were thrown into Gehenna. Jesus was warning by way of a well-known local example of the wicked being eternally non-existent.
GW: False. It is certainly possible that he was comparing a local place where the worms and fire never stop to a place where unforgiven sinners go after death where their torture never ceases. Jesus was known to speak in metaphors.
GW: Here is a second one: “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Mat 10:28 NIV)
BA—“Hades” does not appear in the Greek text at Matthew 10:28. The original Greek is accurately translated, “be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna” (Matthew 10:28 NAB). The NIV mistranslates “Gehenna” as “hell”.
GW: This verse asserts that God CAN destroy both soul and body. We know that if he did exist, he COULD do this because he would be all-powerful, but it does not say that he DOES this. However, if your translation is correct, then this verse does not support my claim, but it doesn’t support yours either.
GW: Here is a third one: “…and anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire. Rev. 20:15 (NIV)
BA—‘Hades” is not in the Greek text at Revelation 20:15.
GW: But is “lake of fire” a proper English translation of the words used in the original Greek?
BA: The immediate context makes clear what “the lake of fire” is.
“The lake of fire is the second death” (Revelation 29:14 NIV).
GW: A “lake of fire” is not a death at all. You, and perhaps the author of Rev, is making a category error.
BA: “Hades is used at Revelation 20:13: “And death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done” (NIV). Hades is shown to temporary. All the dead in hell are resurrected, and judged after their resurrection. Hell is not said to be a fire.
GW: And what happens to the unforgiven resurrected sinners after this judgement? Also, these verses make no mention of souls mentioned by other verses. The Bible is full of inconsistencies and contradictions. This is how we know that it was not divinely inspired, as you have claimed.
GW: I think that you believe from your interpretation of Bible verses that God exists and simply ends the existence of unforgiven sinners when they die, but most Christians do not share your belief about this, and they use the same Bible verses. If God did exist, we would not have these disagreements about God’s alleged Word. We would all know God’s Word and there wouldn’t be any disagreements about it. Why? Because God himself would distribute printed or digital copies of his Word after each of his lectures to whomever wanted one. Duh.
BA—No, sir, “the god of this age has blinded the minds of people” (2 Corinthians 4:4 NIV),
GW: That is pure nonsense! If God did exist, he would not “blind the minds.” He would inform the minds! He would regularly give lectures to all living persons at the same time, telling the truth about himself, about morality, and about the consequences of compliance and noncompliance. You don’t even believe in God. You believe in a deity inferior to God.
BA: “False teachers” were foretold to introduce “false doctrines”, “doctrines of demons” (2 Peter 2:1-3; 1 Timothy 1:3 NIV; 4:1 NASB) into “the church of the living God” (1 Timothy 3:15).
GW: Well, of course there are false teachers teaching false doctrines! The Gospel authors and you are some of these teachers. You are making false claims about what God would and would not do, if he did exist. Belief in demons is just another superstition. There is no good evidence to support or confirm their existence.
BA: This is exactly what has happened, as foretold.
GW: Anyone can foretell that there will be false teachers. Duh.
BA: “Hellfire” is one of the “doctrines of demons”.
GW: Nonsense! Belief in demons is just a superstition. Arrange a meeting with a demon and us. You will never do that, just like you have never arranged a meeting of us with God, as I have asked you to do many times. Why have you failed at this? Because God does not exist. There are many independent proofs of this.
GW: Here is another one: “41 The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. 42 They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Mat 13:41-42 NIV
GW: And here is another one: “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” Mat 25:41 NIV
GW: And here is another one: “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” Mat 25:46 NIV
BA: “Hell” translates the Greek word “hades”, not “Gehenna”.
GW: Please present evidence from an expert on your claim about the translation. I want quotes, citations, and links.
BA–“Gehenna . . . It is place where the wicked are destroyed body and soul, which perhaps echos the idea of annihilation (Mt 10:28). . . . These passages suggest the apocalyptic imagery of other NT passages is to be taken for what is, imagery, and not as strictly literal theological affirmation”—Dictionary of the Bible, pp 299-300, by John L McKenzie, S. J.
“Sheol . . . Sheol is death . . . In the NT Sheol (Gk hades) appears in several forms . . . Sheol/Hades is replaced by death . . . Hades as a destructive power follows death . . . Hades is the agent of destruction”—Ibid. pp 800-801
“If your hand makes you sin, cut it off. Better that you should be maimed but obtain eternal life, rather than keep both hands and go to Gey-Hinnom, to the unquenchable fire! And if your foot makes you sin, cut it off! Better that you should be lame but obtain eternal life, rather than keep both feet and be thrown into Gey-Hinnom! And if your eye makes you sin, pluck it out! Better that you should be one-eyed but enter the Kingdom of God, rather than keep both eyes and be thrown into Gey-Hinnom”—Mark 9:43,45,47,48 Jewish New Testament
Jesus is obviously using figures of speech in this account.
Why are verses 44 and 46 omitted in this and most modern translations?
“These verses, lacking in some important early manuscripts, are here omitted as scribal additions. They simply repeat Mk 9:48 itself a modified citation of Is 66:24”—NAB note on Mark 9:44,46
Notice the cross-reference back to Isaiah 66:24. Why? Let’s see:
“They shall go out out and see the corpses of the people who rebelled against me; For their worm shall not die, their fire shall die, their fire shall not be extinguished; and they shall be an abhorrence to all flesh”—Isaiah 66:24 NAB
“God’s enemies lay dead outside the walls of the New Jerusalem; just as in the past, corpses, filth and refuse lay in the Valley of Hinnom (Gehenna) outside the city; cf. 34:1-4; 2 Kgs 23:10”—NAB note on Isaiah 66:24
This is the background to the cross-reference (Isaiah 66:24) of Mark 9:43-48.
Concerning “Gehinnom,” the Jewish commentator David Kimhi (1160?-1235?), in his comment on Psalm 27:13, gives the following historical information: “And it is a place in the land adjoining Jerusalem, and it is a loathsome place, and they throw there unclean things and carcasses. Also there was a continual fire there to burn the unclean things and the bones of the carcasses. Hence, the judgment of the wicked ones is called parabolically Gehinnom.”
BA—“Hades” does not appear in the Greek text at Matthew 10:28. The original Greek is accurately translated, “be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna” (Matthew 10:28 NAB). The NIV mistranslates “Gehenna” as “hell”.
Notice that even the “soul” is destroyed in Gehenna, clearly picturing eternal destruction.
GW: Here is another one: “41 The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. 42 They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Mat 13:41-42 NIV
BA—Just as the “wheat” and the “weeds” are symbolic in this parable, so is the “fire”. Many things in parables are word pictures, illustrations.
GW: And here is another one: “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” Mat 25:41 NIV
BA—How can immaterial spirits (“the devil and his angels”) burn?—They can’t!
GW: And here is another one: “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” Mat 25:46 NIV
BA–Yes, “they will be punished with everlasting destruction” (2 Thessalonians 1:9 NIV), not eternal life in fire.
BA: Jesus is obviously using figures of speech in this account.
GW: He does that a lot. This is another reason that he is not divine or a messenger of God. God would not communicate in that manner. He would communicate directly, literally, and clearly. These are important matters, not trifles.
BA: Why are verses 44 and 46 omitted in this and most modern translations?
GW: This is more evidence that the Bible is NOT the Word of God.
BA: Concerning “Gehinnom,” the Jewish commentator David Kimhi (1160?-1235?), in his comment on Psalm 27:13, gives the following historical information: “And it is a place in the land adjoining Jerusalem, and it is a loathsome place, and they throw there unclean things and carcasses. Also there was a continual fire there to burn the unclean things and the bones of the carcasses. Hence, the judgment of the wicked ones is called parabolically Gehinnom.”
GW: If true, Jesus could be speaking metaphorically about the place where unforgiven sinners will eventually be put. Those sinners would not know that the worms and fire continued unless they were still conscious.
BA—“Hades” does not appear in the Greek text at Matthew 10:28. The original Greek is accurately translated, “be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna” (Matthew 10:28 NAB). The NIV mistranslates “Gehenna” as “hell”.
BA: Notice that even the “soul” is destroyed in Gehenna, clearly picturing eternal destruction.
GW: I think that is one point in your favor. But there are other verses which you have failed to rebut and even more that you have yet to address.
GW: Here is another one: “41 The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. 42 They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Mat 13:41-42 NIV
BA—Just as the “wheat” and the “weeds” are symbolic in this parable, so is the “fire”. Many things in parables are word pictures, illustrations.
GW: Yes, but the metaphor is of a place where suffering of people or souls is interminable. This is a point in favor of my interpretation.
GW: And here is another one: “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” Mat 25:41 NIV
BA—How can immaterial spirits (“the devil and his angels”) burn?—They can’t!
GW: They can’t, but the fire is a metaphor for the interminable suffering of souls. Another point in favor of my interpretation.
GW: And here is another one: “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” Mat 25:46 NIV
BA–Yes, “they will be punished with everlasting destruction” (2 Thessalonians 1:9 NIV), not eternal life in fire.
GW: False. Punishment is not destruction. People or souls are sentient during punishment, but not after destruction. This verse, Mat 25:46 NIV, is in contradiction to the other verse, 2 Thessalonians 1:9 NIV. Heaven and hell are meant to be both everlasting, but opposite in effect, the former for joy and the latter for suffering. This is another point for my interpretation.
GW: So, most of the verses which I quoted support my interpretation, while a minority support yours. Therefore, the majority of Christians, not you, are correct in their interpretation of the Bible. Some of the Bible authors believed that God had established a place where souls would be eternally tormented. Of course, you and I know that if God did exist, he would never do that. It would be an immoral act.
GW: Belief in hell is a superstition, but a widely held superstition, embedded in the Christian and Muslim populations. The Bible is not and cannot be the Word of God. The Word of God would not be written or produced by men.
BA: Why are verses 44 and 46 omitted in this and most modern translations?
GW: This is more evidence that the Bible is NOT the Word of God.
BA—Those verses were added in violation of Revelation 22:18,19, and have been removed in harmony with 1 Peter 1:23-25.
GW—GW: Yes, but the metaphor is of a place where suffering of people or souls is interminable. This is a point in favor of my interpretation.
BA—No, the metaphor is about the symbolic “blazing fire” “when the Lord Jesus is revealed”, “He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction” (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 NIV).
GW: False. Punishment is not destruction.
BA—Then why do they call it “capital punishment”?
GW—People or souls are sentient during punishment, but not after destruction. This verse, Mat 25:46 NIV, is in contradiction to the other verse, 2 Thessalonians 1:9 NIV. Heaven and hell are meant to be both everlasting, but opposite in effect, the former for joy and the latter for suffering. This is another point for my interpretation.
BA—No, in the Bible, “death”, as “the wages of sin”, is juxtaposed to “eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
Looking deeper, we find:
“Whoever has ears ought to hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The victor shall not be harmed by the second death” (Revelation 2:11 NAB).
“this refers to the eternal death, when sinners will receive their final punishment” (NAB note on Revelation 2:11).
GW: If true, Jesus could be speaking metaphorically about the place where unforgiven sinners will eventually be put. Those sinners would not know that the worms and fire continued unless they were still conscious.
BA—No, “the dead no longer know anything” (Ecclesiastes 9:5 NAB).
There are no “worms” in “Gehenna”.
Because both “body” and “soul” are destroyed in “Gehenna” (Matthew 10:28 NAB). there is nothing to literally burn.
Here are the main questions which need to be addressed:
1. According to the New Testament, did Jesus himself believe in hell or a place in which God would eternally torture unforgiven sinners?
2. According to the Bible, did any of the authors believe in hell or a place in which God would eternally torture unforgiven sinners?
3. If God did exist, would he implement hell or a place in which he would eternally torture unforgiven sinners. I think we both agree that the answer to this question is NO.
There are some verses which seem to support your conclusions and some which seem to support my conclusions, when our conclusions are contradictory.
I do not trust your interpretation of the Bible, but I do trust the interpretation by Bart Ehrman. Fortunately, he has written an entire book on what we have been talking about. This book is titled “Heaven and Hell: A History of the Afterlife.” I have the book. I had already read about 80 pages in it, but I really need to finish it.
I’m going to study the Ehrman book before I resume this discussion with you. I recommend that you get the same book and study it.
GW—Here are the main questions which need to be addressed:
1. According to the New Testament, did Jesus himself believe in hell or a place in which God would eternally torture unforgiven sinners?
2. According to the Bible, did any of the authors believe in hell or a place in which God would eternally torture unforgiven sinners?
BA— No, to both.
GW—3. If God did exist, would he implement hell or a place in which he would eternally torture unforgiven sinners. I think we both agree that the answer to this question is NO.
BA—True.
“All the wicked he will destroy” (Psalm 145:20 NIV). Even righteous people, like Lazarus, are “asleep” when they are “dead” (John 11:1,14 NIV).
GW—I do not trust your interpretation of the Bible
BA—We understand, we’re “unschooled and ordinary” (Acts 4:13 NIV).
GW—but I do trust the interpretation by Bart Ehrman
BA—We know, he’s supposed to be “an expert in the law” (Luke 10:25 NIV).
GW—Fortunately, he has written an entire book on what we have been talking about. This book is titled “Heaven and Hell: A History of the Afterlife.” I have the book. I had already read about 80 pages in it, but I really need to finish it.
I’m going to study the Ehrman book before I resume this discussion with you
BA—That’s a good idea!
GW—I recommend that you get the same book and study it.
BA—Thanks, but we’re already very familiar with what the scriptures say on this subject.