Mark Galli Reviews Bell on Hell

Galli writes,

“but in raising such momentous issues, he has raised crucial questions that also must be asked. If universal salvation is true, why does Jesus not showcase it? Why is Jesus’ teaching characterized instead by a relentless focus on the last judgment? Sayings like “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” (Matt. 10:28, ESV) come up repeatedly in the Gospels. Jesus spends more time on this eternal judgment than all the other New Testament voices combined. Bell is not unusual in wondering how God’s love, justice, and omnipotence can be reconciled in the end—this is a long-standing theological mystery. But doesn’t universalism succumb to the theological temptation to explain exactly how God will show himself loving, just, and omnipotent at the end of history?” Read more»

    Post authored by:

  • R. Scott Clark
    Author Image

    R.Scott Clark is the President of the Heidelberg Reformation Association, the author and editor of, and contributor to several books and the author of many articles. He has taught church history and historical theology since 1997 at Westminster Seminary California. He has also taught at Wheaton College, Reformed Theological Seminary, and Concordia University. He has hosted the Heidelblog since 2007.

    More by R. Scott Clark ›

Subscribe to the Heidelblog today!