Questions on Donnelly's Heaven and Hell
Questions from Heaven and Hell
(Note if there is an asterisk in front of a number it isn't a question--just information.)
Chapter 1: Thinking the Unthinkable
1. Donnelly gives 4 reasons for why it is important to study about hell. What are they?
2. Donnelly is concerned about the increasing unbelief in an eternal place ot torment.
He lists 3 levels of unbelief. What are they?
3. On page 9 what does Donnelly say is humanity’s deepest problem and the root of objections to hell?
4. What 3 evidences of man’s humanism does Donnelly give?
*5. Donnelly says that the doctrine of hell is a litmus test for our souls. If I don’t like what the Bible says about hell it is probably due to the humanism discussed in question #4.
Chapter 2—Biblical Basics—[This is the most important of the chapters for our study. ]
*1. Note: Heb. 6:1, 2--Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, / of instruction about washings, and laying on of hands, and the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.
God considers the doctrine of hell an elementary principle. This is milk, not meat.
*2. Note: most characteristic word for hell in NT is Gehenna (#1067)
*3. Note the second full paragraph on page 22. Donnelly says that it is wrong to think of
Sheol and Hades as a “neutral, intermediate state, occupied by all humans before the return of Christ.” He says that these words have at least two separate meanings: (1) the grave to which we all go (2) the place of punishment to which only unbelievers go.
He says that the KJV correctly varies its translation of Sheol according to the context, from “grave” or “pit” to “hell”.
Ps.16:10--For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell (#7585); neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption (#7845).
#7585 = Sheol = grave, hell, pit
#7845 = shachath =corruption, destruction, ditch, grave, pit
*4. The ungodly are punished before the 2nd Coming of Christ.
2 Peter 2:9--then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment,
5. Who rules in hell? Is there any scripture to support this?
6. Do you agree with Donnelly that hell exists for God’s glory? Support your answer with scripture.
7. Donnelly says that godly people can wrestle with the doctrine of hell. He discusses the following 2 questions that are often raised. What is your answer to each?
(1) Is hell disproportionately severe?
(2) Since God is love, is hell not contrary to the character of God?
*8. Remember the one who tells us the most about hell, Jesus Christ, is the one who has the power to save us from it
Chapter 3--Everlasting Destruction
1. Did any of the descriptions in the 3rd paragraph come from Dante’s Inferno?
2. Do you think Donnelly approves of Dante’s Inferno?
*3. You don’t need to write answers down but please do more thinking on the harm or benefits of Dante’s Inferno. Would you recommend this book to another for fun or spiritual benefit?
4. Do you agree that the Biblical description of hell is not meant to be taken literally? Give reasons for your answer.
5. Donnelly says the Bible’s description of hell is summarized under four headings. What are they?
6. What is the dictionary definition of perish?
Does this definition of “perish” inserted into John 3:16 make it sound like those who don’t believe in him suffer eternally or are annihilated and therefore cease to exist?
Do you think John 3:16 supports the Christian idea of eternal punishment?
*7. 1828 Webster: definition #8—to be wasted or rendered useless. [Jer. 9:12-- Who is the wise man who may understand this? And who is he to whom the mouth of the LORD has spoken, that he may declare it? Why does the land perish (#6) and burn up like a wilderness, so that no one can pass through?]
definition #9—to be injured or tormented. [Example = 1 Cor.8:11-- And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish (#622), for whom Christ died?]
#10—to be lost eternally; to be sentenced to eternal misery [example 2 Peter 2:12-- But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish (#2704) in their own corruption;]
*8. John 3:16-- "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish (#622) but have everlasting life.
Greek word apoluo is closely related to apolluon (#623) = Destroyer in Rev.9:11 =
a name for Satan.
9.What are the verses which Donnelly uses to support the idea of absolute poverty?
10.What are the verses that Donnelly uses to support the idea of agonizing pain in hell?
11.What are the verses Donnelly uses to support the idea of an angry presence?
12.What are the verses Donnelly uses to support the idea of an appalling prospect?
13.Is there anything in this chapter that seems to you to be more opinion than definitively taught in scripture? There was to me. If there was what was it?
Chapter 4--Hell and the Believer
1.Donnelly says that hell should be of primary importance to unbelievers because they still have it as their destination. But he also says the doctrine of hell is of value to believers in many ways. What six does he list?
2.On page 55 Donnelly says that Christ experienced hell for us on the cross and that when he died his suffering was over (John 19:30). Do you know of any scripture verses that support both that he suffered hell on the cross and that his suffering ended with his death on the cross?
3.My last question is a repeat from a question on Dante’s Inferno. Was Dante wrong to grieve over the suffering of someone in hell (20:29-30)? What does Virgil think? What does Donnelly think (pages 61-63)? What do you think?
(Note if there is an asterisk in front of a number it isn't a question--just information.)
Chapter 1: Thinking the Unthinkable
1. Donnelly gives 4 reasons for why it is important to study about hell. What are they?
2. Donnelly is concerned about the increasing unbelief in an eternal place ot torment.
He lists 3 levels of unbelief. What are they?
3. On page 9 what does Donnelly say is humanity’s deepest problem and the root of objections to hell?
4. What 3 evidences of man’s humanism does Donnelly give?
*5. Donnelly says that the doctrine of hell is a litmus test for our souls. If I don’t like what the Bible says about hell it is probably due to the humanism discussed in question #4.
Chapter 2—Biblical Basics—[This is the most important of the chapters for our study. ]
*1. Note: Heb. 6:1, 2--Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, / of instruction about washings, and laying on of hands, and the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.
God considers the doctrine of hell an elementary principle. This is milk, not meat.
*2. Note: most characteristic word for hell in NT is Gehenna (#1067)
*3. Note the second full paragraph on page 22. Donnelly says that it is wrong to think of
Sheol and Hades as a “neutral, intermediate state, occupied by all humans before the return of Christ.” He says that these words have at least two separate meanings: (1) the grave to which we all go (2) the place of punishment to which only unbelievers go.
He says that the KJV correctly varies its translation of Sheol according to the context, from “grave” or “pit” to “hell”.
Ps.16:10--For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell (#7585); neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption (#7845).
#7585 = Sheol = grave, hell, pit
#7845 = shachath =corruption, destruction, ditch, grave, pit
*4. The ungodly are punished before the 2nd Coming of Christ.
2 Peter 2:9--then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment,
5. Who rules in hell? Is there any scripture to support this?
6. Do you agree with Donnelly that hell exists for God’s glory? Support your answer with scripture.
7. Donnelly says that godly people can wrestle with the doctrine of hell. He discusses the following 2 questions that are often raised. What is your answer to each?
(1) Is hell disproportionately severe?
(2) Since God is love, is hell not contrary to the character of God?
*8. Remember the one who tells us the most about hell, Jesus Christ, is the one who has the power to save us from it
Chapter 3--Everlasting Destruction
1. Did any of the descriptions in the 3rd paragraph come from Dante’s Inferno?
2. Do you think Donnelly approves of Dante’s Inferno?
*3. You don’t need to write answers down but please do more thinking on the harm or benefits of Dante’s Inferno. Would you recommend this book to another for fun or spiritual benefit?
4. Do you agree that the Biblical description of hell is not meant to be taken literally? Give reasons for your answer.
5. Donnelly says the Bible’s description of hell is summarized under four headings. What are they?
6. What is the dictionary definition of perish?
Does this definition of “perish” inserted into John 3:16 make it sound like those who don’t believe in him suffer eternally or are annihilated and therefore cease to exist?
Do you think John 3:16 supports the Christian idea of eternal punishment?
*7. 1828 Webster: definition #8—to be wasted or rendered useless. [Jer. 9:12-- Who is the wise man who may understand this? And who is he to whom the mouth of the LORD has spoken, that he may declare it? Why does the land perish (#6) and burn up like a wilderness, so that no one can pass through?]
definition #9—to be injured or tormented. [Example = 1 Cor.8:11-- And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish (#622), for whom Christ died?]
#10—to be lost eternally; to be sentenced to eternal misery [example 2 Peter 2:12-- But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish (#2704) in their own corruption;]
*8. John 3:16-- "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish (#622) but have everlasting life.
Greek word apoluo is closely related to apolluon (#623) = Destroyer in Rev.9:11 =
a name for Satan.
9.What are the verses which Donnelly uses to support the idea of absolute poverty?
10.What are the verses that Donnelly uses to support the idea of agonizing pain in hell?
11.What are the verses Donnelly uses to support the idea of an angry presence?
12.What are the verses Donnelly uses to support the idea of an appalling prospect?
13.Is there anything in this chapter that seems to you to be more opinion than definitively taught in scripture? There was to me. If there was what was it?
Chapter 4--Hell and the Believer
1.Donnelly says that hell should be of primary importance to unbelievers because they still have it as their destination. But he also says the doctrine of hell is of value to believers in many ways. What six does he list?
2.On page 55 Donnelly says that Christ experienced hell for us on the cross and that when he died his suffering was over (John 19:30). Do you know of any scripture verses that support both that he suffered hell on the cross and that his suffering ended with his death on the cross?
3.My last question is a repeat from a question on Dante’s Inferno. Was Dante wrong to grieve over the suffering of someone in hell (20:29-30)? What does Virgil think? What does Donnelly think (pages 61-63)? What do you think?
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