Is hell a "human construction," the result of years of extrabiblical influence, faulty English translations, and misinterpretation? I'm not sure, but this book certainly makes me think about it.
Here are two things I intend to do: Look carefully again at the passages where Jesus speaks of hell and see who he was speaking to. He did not seem to use hell to scare sinners into salvation, but rather to warn the Pharisees about their lack of concern for the poor. Consider the shee... (show more)

Is hell a "human construction," the result of years of extrabiblical influence, faulty English translations, and misinterpretation? I'm not sure, but this book certainly makes me think about it.
Here are two things I intend to do: Look carefully again at the passages where Jesus speaks of hell and see who he was speaking to. He did not seem to use hell to scare sinners into salvation, but rather to warn the Pharisees about their lack of concern for the poor. Consider the sheep and the goats of Matt. 25 or the Rich Man and Lazarus in Luke 16. Neither says what we usually preach, "Believe in Jesus (get saved) or else you will go to hell."
And, reconsider the translation: "Gehenna," "Sheol", and "Hades" are all translated "hell" in most English translations. And, they're not synonyms.
I don't believe I'm ready for the kind of revolution in thinking that McLaren is proposing here. But, I do need to preach and teach more cautiously on the subject. (show less)