Preston M. SprinkleReseñas

Good survey and honest reflection

While Sprinkle won't expect everyone to agree with his conclusions, his approach is fair, and his opinions are informed. There's a strong emphasis on people over theory, which is helpful.

This book is a significant improvement on the previous edition, and is a completely new book, written by a different set of authors. It is an extremely helpful primer on the topic, laying out the arguments for each of the views, and the authors manage to do this in anionic way, without disparaging one another. Well worth the read, and all four of the sections are written in a way that is persuasive and handles the evidence well.

A powerful understanding of Gods grace and love as Francis Chan deals with the topic of Hell. Don't avoid it embrace what it is and live Holy lives. A good read

Very thorough, very compelling

I bought this book, because it honestly makes me upset to see so many Christian authorities say one thing, while Jesus says something else. Preston sprinkle "goes the extra mile" to help us "turn the other cheek." This gospel-centered volume gave me the courage to trust in God rather than human strength.

Couldn't finish this book. I was really disappointed in Francis Chan. There were quotes that were taken completely out of context, and Chan consistently interpreted Bells writings and put words in his mouth. It's disappointing because I couldn't get past the bias to hear the perspective.

Com especial temor e tremor pela Palavra de Deus, Francis Chan e Preston Sprinkle abordam nossos mais profundos questionamentos sobre a eternidade, trazidos à tona no recente livro de Rob Bell, O amor vence.

Really enjoyed the book picked up a few new things and a lot that really made me think. I would recommend this to anyone wanting to learn more about hell.

This is a great book. It was written in response to Rob Bell's "Love Wins," and shows the error behind some of the ideas he presents, among other things. It's a pretty serious read, but if you've ever wondered just exactly what the Bible says about hell, this is a great resource.

Thoughtful and gentle response to Rod Bell and others who are denying the reality of hell. Chan examines the relevant Scriptures and gives well thought out answers to the question of hell. Dealing respectfully with the painful subject matter, Chan nevertheless does not back down from defending its reality. Chan's discussion around Romans 9 and Paul's wish that he could be condemned in the place on his countrymen were particularly compelling.

Ever since Rob Bell's Love Wins, evangelicals have rushed to the defense of the traditional doctrine of hell. Bell's book was more suggestion than substance and raised the most ire among those who never read it, but there have also been a number of intelligent treatments on the fate of unbelievers and the nature of hell. Four Views on Hell, Second Edition showcases four options currently being discussed among evangelicals. Under the editorial eye of Preston Sprinkle (coauthor of Erasing Hell) with contributions from Denny Burk, John G. Stackhouse Jr, Robin Parry and Jerry Walls, this book presents the case for hell as eternal conscious torment, annihilationism, universalism and purgatory.

9780310516460_5This new edition of Four Views on Hell reveal how the contours of the debate have changed since the publication of the first edition in 1992. The original edition had two contributors arguing hell consists as 'eternal conscious torment,' one arguing for literal fire (John Walvoord) and metaphorical (William Crocket), one contributor arguing for annilationism (Clark Pinnock) and a Catholic contributor extols the virtues of purgatory (Zachary Hayes). In the current edition, the traditional doctrine on hell is represented by Burk. Burk doesn't take eternal fire as a literal flame as Walvoord did (28), though he does emphasize the eternal aspects of hell's duration. John Stackhouse takes up Pinnock's mantle in arguing the terminal/conditionalist/annihilationist position. Parry provides the biblical, theological case for Christian universalism (a new tothis edition) having previously published The Evangelical Universalist (under the pseudonym of Gregory McDonald). Jerry Walls gives a protestant case for purgatory for the faithful who die in Christ, arguing that purgatory is not about offering satisfaction for sin (which Christ offered on our behalf) but is about sanctification.

Each of these contributors has their strengths. After sharing a brief parable illustrating the seriousness of sin being measured 'by the value of the one sin against,' Burke makes the biblical case for hell as eternal conscious torment (19) based on ten foundational passages drawn from both testaments. Stackhouse also makes a strong exegetical and theological case for annilationism, arguing that eternal punishment and 'unquenchable fire' indicate the certainty of implications rather than duration, and eternal life is a gift to those who are in Christ. Parry's chapter emphasizes how Christ came to restore all things, and how having a sinner suffer eternal torment, or the eradication of a sinner doesn't appear to embody that end. Parry places his case within a biblical theological frame, emphasing the scope and trajectory of redemption. Walls is the odd man out in that he affirms with Burk the the reality of eternal conscious torment for those who are in hell, and posits purgatory, for those who trust in Christ as their savior (though he does allow for a post-mordem conversion). The respondents each give strong critiques of one-another's views, citing their various interpretive strategies, their use of theology, and interpretive strategies.

I generally don't find these 'four views' books to be exciting reading. Because of the way they are organized, a brief case with critical responses, by the time you get to last couple of chapters, you already have a pretty good idea of what the author will say before you read it. The effect is mitigated somewhat in this volume in that Parry's and Wall's chapters are by far the most interesting chapters in this volume. And Sprinkle has a fantastic concluding essay which highlights the relative strengths of each response.

The Christians with whom I hang around with most generally hold to the traditional view of hell, though I find the arguments for annihilationism to be fairly convincing. Sprinkle makes the case in his conclusion that annihilationism is the only view that logically precludes the possibility of Christian universalism, because if hell is eternal, that than there is the possibility of redemption (205). Certainly if Burke is right and Hell is wholly punitive, than the possibility remains unlikely. Parry's case sets universalism with in Christocentric framework with a hopeful trajectory (Stackhouse calls the case for univeralism ' the triumph of hope over exegesis', p.134). I am interested in exploring Parry's argument further and will likely read his Evangelical Universalist. Because of the brevity of each chapter, no respondent in this volume makes as comprehensive of a case as they otherwise could have, and each overstates their case in places. I give this four stars.

Note: I received this book from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest review.

This is a popular level rebuttal of Rob Bell's Love Wins. Chan (and Sprinkle) are humble and conversational and tone and review a number of texts. I don't think they are right about everything, but I don't think Rob Bell is either.

I love Francis Chan's writing style. I find him to be equal parts honest, academic, compassionate, and challenging. I don't always agree with where he lands on issues, but his writing style is sufficiently clear so that I can trace how he landed at his position.

Erasing Hell, in many ways, is a response to Rob Bell's popular (and heretical) book Love Wins, in which Bell departs from the historically Christian position on eternal damnation of the lost. This book interacts with Bell's larger arguments. In the first three chapters, Chan and Sprinkle cite Bell 14 times.

There is much to commend in Erasing Hell. It is thoroughly biblical, pastoral in tone, and culturally sensitive. Chapter 6 was perhaps my favorite chapter. Chan and Sprinkle bite off Romans 9, seeking to understand a God who sends people to hell. They write, "[W]e must come to a place where we can let God be God. We need to surrender our perceived right to determine what is just and humbly recognize that God alone gets to decide how He is going to deal with people" (131). The authors want us to see a big, biblical view of God. We need to stop crawfishing, and let God defend himself. "Like the nervous kid who tries to keep his friends from seeing his drunken father, I have tried to hide God at times. Who do I think I am? The truth is, God is perfect and right in all that He does. I am a fool for thinking otherwise. He does not need nor want me to 'cover' for Him. There's nothing to be covered. Everything about Him and all He does is perfect" (133). Amen, brothers!

As I mentioned earlier, I don't always agree with where Chan and Sprinkle land. They almost seem to embrace annihilationism. But, as I mentioned earlier, I can see how they arrive at their position. They even do so by examining Scripture. They write, "The debate about hell's duration is much more complex than I first assumed. While I lean heavily on the side that says it is everlasting, I am not ready to claim that with complete certainty" (86). Furthermore, they opt on the side that says the fire in hell is metaphorical, a position that I find unnecessary. "Fire is used metaphorically thought Scripture, and I agree with the host of evangelical scholars above that fire is probably not to be taken literally when it's used to describe hell" (154).

Erasing Hell is a book that evangelicals need to read. Doing so will help us stop apologizing for God's retributive actions. Our culture denies the existence of hell, not simply because it doesn't like the idea, but because it refusing to acknowledge God's sovereign rule and reign over his creation. Chan and Sprinkle help guide the discussion back to where it needs to be - the authority of Scripture.½

It's hard to give five stars to a book on Hell.
This is clearly not the kind of inspiring and challenging book that has made Francis Chan so well known, but it is an important book because of all those who want to explain away Hell. In his characteristic way, Chan goes open-handed to Scripture and asks what God reveals about it there.
It is a short book, mercifully. The main book is only about 140 short pages. In the first four chapters Chan unpacks what Scripture says about Hell. This portion is clear, if difficult to read. Then in chapter 5-7 he turns to how Christians should respond to this teaching. Here we see Chan's gift for challenging our thinking with the truths of Scripture. It is worth the payoff.
Perhaps the best summary can be found in this quote from page 148:
"While hell can be a paralyzing doctrine, it can also be an energizing one, for it magnifies the beauty of the cross.
Hell is the backdrop that reveals the profound and unbelievable grace of the cross. It brings to light the enormity of our sin and therefore portrays the undeserved favor of God in full color."

Whether or not recent conversations have left you confused about Hell, gird up and read this book.

Very solid book on a tough subject. Author is very consistent in his views and present solid biblical evidence to support his position that violence is never acceptable. In general, I agree with much of what he writes.

I wasn't satisfied with his answers and/or support for these positions:

1. Death penalty is never acceptable (when in fact its endorsed by the Old Testament)
2. Governments should be non-violent. To me, this simply isn't realistic. Any government that always turned the other cheek wouldn't exist very long and this implicitly implies, Christian leaders shouldn't be involved.

Found this topic inconsistent w/Bible

Samson's final act of destruction was selfish. He prayed for and was granted the right for this act. Can see how it could be viewed as selfish.

In Sprinkle's short and to-the-point book for teenagers, he explains his views on homosexuality - suggesting that although homosexual sex is a sin, Christians should show love and acceptance rather than hate, disgust, and venom. In a conversational format, Sprinkle educates the readers on the differences between being attracted to people of the same gender (homosexuality - which is not a sin in itself) and actually acting on those desires (which, according to his interpretation of certain Bible verses, is a sin). He also educates the readers on the nature of transgender and transsexualism.

Throughout his discussion, he asserts that although Christians should hate sin, they should not be the ones to cast stones. He points out that name-calling, or even incautious unaccepting statements, can cause great pain in a confused and vulnerable teenager - it can lead to self harm and suicide. The behavior of the Christian adults around Sprinkle's readers might show disgust, but this hatred is not becoming of a Christian and is just as sinful as the sin they are judging. Sprinkle calls his readers to love without judgement. He points out that sinners more easily change their sinful behavior if they are gently called to the church by acceptance and love. Sprinkle also addresses homosexual and transgender teens themselves - urging them to build a support network of loving and accepting people, hopefully Christians. He even provides his own contact information in case the teen can't find someone understanding to talk to.

At the end of his book, Sprinkle provides an appendix with Bible verses and discusses why these verses show that homosexual sex is a sin.

Sprinkle suggests that this book is aimed towards young teens through early twenties, though personally I feel the book was a bit to "young" for even older teens (unless they have lived a very "sheltered" life in the comfort of only a society of people with similar beliefs). Sprinkle has another book, People to be Loved, that might be more appropriate for older teens and adults, though I haven't read it.

All-in-all, I loved the message of acceptance throughout Sprinkle's book. As a person who works in a suicide hotline for teenagers, I know that there are a lot of teens out there who are just realizing they have homosexual desires. These teens can be confused, scared, and self-loathing. The reason they are self-loathing is often because of the rancor about homosexuality that they have been exposed to through a supposedly "Christian" living. But in my opinion, and apparently Sprinkle's, it is more sinful to hate and judge than it is for a person to feel something that he can not control and did not choose. Next time I deal with such a teenager I will suggest this book as a way to know that he is loved.½

A fantastic analysis into the pistou Christou debate! The terrain covers everything from linguistics, phenomenology, theological implications, and grammar analysis. Loved it! Though it does not come out on one side or another, it gives a great picture of the debate and helps the reader arrive at their own conclusion. My personal highlight of the book was the introduction of a third view beyond object genitive and subject genitive. They dont really have a name for the third view but two essays explore the structure as an event and origin of faith as opposed to the common two. Among the proponents of this third view is Karl Barth. Its not an easy read and takes time and patience but well worth the effort. Enjoy!

In the end, his conclusion was the same as the one he began with, and so there was nothing particularly new here, but I DID appreciate his honest desire to go through the process with such care and detail.

Excellent book. He does a good job explaining the violence we see in the OT. I don't agree with all his conclusions on how this is lived out today.½

Very thought provoking,and helped me to deal with some questions/doubts I've been struggling with recently. Recommend it for any Christian who is troubled by the idea of Hell as most of us have been taught to understand it.

I cannot figure Francis Chan out. Some of the things he says, people he associates with, conclusions he draws. He is a riddle wrapped in an enigma in ways, but he is perfectly clear. What annoys me is that he consistently repels any label I try to attach to Him....and boy do I need to label. Is he reformed? Is he charismatic? Is he emergent? What I have come to love and trust is that Francis is honest. And He loves Jesus and reveres the Scriptures. This is why I love hearing Him speak and why I love reading what He writes. I don’t always come to the same conclusions he does, but I always learn and am challenged when God uses Him to deliver a message.

So when David C Cook Publishing decided to bless the world with three free Francis Chan books over Easter weekend, I was super-pumped. Chan's style of writing is so engaging and simple that it allows his books to be enjoyed and consumed quickly. Enjoyed, however, is a relative term, especially in light of the content of the book.

Erasing Hell: What God Said About Eternity and the Things We've Made Up is Chan's latest adult book and it has a very adult topic. Coauthored with Preston Sprinkle, who did most of the research, Erasing Hell is a very straightforward and simple exposition of the Biblical topic of hell. For those familiar with Chan, straightforward is assumed and he does not fail to deliver in this book. On the surface, Erasing Hell is a response to Love Wins by Rob Bell. Chan interacts with Bell's work, but only superficially. Beyond the timing of the release and the cover art, what Erasing Hell really is is an Evangelical apology of the orthodox doctrine of hell in light of recent(Bell) and not-so-recent(Origen) attacks. Erasing Hell is an examination written on a popular level. If you are looking for an in-depth theological treatise, I would look elsewhere. If you are looking for good interactions with common objections to the orthodox doctrine of hell applied explicitly to the heart and life of the reader, Erasing Hell is exactly what you want.

Chan begins with a look at Universalism of all sorts. He then looks at Second Temple Judaism's understanding of hell, arguing that if Christ had differed greatly from the prevailing thought of His day on an issue of such import, He would have been explicit in His correction, as He was in so many other areas. This line of reasoning, to me, is sound and applicable to other doctrines as well.

Chan's greatest interaction with Bell's text is with the concept of Gehenna=Garbage Dump that Bell so readily uses. Chan makes some striking claims that highlight to me, once again, how dishonest(intentionally or unintentionally) so many are when dealing with the culture at the time of Christ. As I read and research things, I am consistently shocked by how fast and loose many are with facts from the pulpit(or the pulpit of some written media). It is almost as if truth takes a back seat to whatever makes a good sermon illustration or blog post or chapter title. The Gehenna=Garbage Dump factoid may actually fall into this category, as would apparently Bell's entire thesis. As a disclaimer, I have only interacted with Bell's work through secondary sources, so my understanding of his work is most often viewed through a critical lens.

Chan's honesty will be shocking at times and can be discomforting for those who feel it is wrong to even question traditional teaching/interpretation. His uncertainty on certain issues(the duration of Hell, Paul's intent in Romans 9:22-23) could be seen as fence sitting, but Chan does that nowhere else on much more hotbed issues. I truly believe we are seeing a man who's thinking is in line with the key tenet(in my opinion) of the Reformation:Semper Reformanda, “always reforming”.

Chan, in all of his works, urges the reader to flee the deep desire to “reinterpret Jesus in light of our own culture, political bent, or favorite theological belief”. To not “believe something just because you want to,” or “ embrace an idea just because you've always believed it.” But rather to “(b)elieve what is biblical. Test all your assumptions against the precious words God gave us in the Bible.” Knowing this about the heart of Chan, even the areas where you end up disagreeing, you still are respectful of the position he takes. Erasing Hell may not be everything it could have been, but I believe it is everything it was supposed to be and is more than worth the 2 or 3 hours you will invest.

Sprinkle writes from within two frameworks - Christian Evangelical Faith and the Culture of the USA. Neither is without influence, but with that caveat, Sprinkle does a wonderful job.
First, the writing is clear and accessible in the best traditions of Christian Apologetics for the ordinary person. Think C.S. Lewis perhaps.
Second, the book is thoroughly researched and scrupulously well-referenced. Every chapter has extensive endnotes. If you doubt something Sprinkle writes, you can check his sources. And THEIR sources in turn.
Third, he deals with all the obvious objections and shibboleths. He even has an appendix on Just War Theory.
So, should you think that the Bible, drenched as it seems to be in the blood of the Middle East and one particular Middle Eastern man who claimed to be God, is a book promoting violence, then, you need to read this book to see how one thoughtful Christian sees something other.
One reservation. It is perhaps inevitable that a book aimed at such a wide audience sticks religiously (pun intended) to telling us just what the Bible says. As a result there is no room in this book for an exploration of the anthropological background of violence and Christian responses as you might find in writers like Rene Girard and Raymond Schwager. I wonder how Sprinkle might treat their insights...

I found Chan to be open, yet clear in his convictions. I appreciated his willingness to admit that most of us would like some aspects of our faith to be more palatable, but our faith is not of our own making and we cannot dismiss or rewrite what we find uncomfortable.

I thought his use of Scripture as well as his explanation of the history surrounding its interpretation were accurate and the questions he poses to modern authors, including Rob Bell were fair and challenging.

The book was recommended to me and I am glad I read it.

This is one of those books that you are going to love if you’re intrigued with this stuff (the New Perspective on Paul), and hate if you’re not. I ate it up. It’s a relatively hard read, even though the Greek language is kept to a minimum. Beginners in Pauline theology may feel overwhelmed, but more studied theologians will be captivated.

The question is, where did Paul get his ideas, and exactly what does he teach regarding salvation? Is salvation conditional upon works, or is it a gift by the grace of God? A quick scan will uncover a lot more works-based verses in the Pauline writings than you might think. Perhaps there are two instances requiring salvation: the initial inbreaking of the Kingdom, fulfilling the prophecies of acceptance by faith/grace, and the final judgment, in which the prize must be earned? Does that mean God’s gift incurs an obligation, and is that obligation tied to the works of the Law? What exactly is Paul’s hangup with the Law, anyway? Sprinkle admits that the one single verse that set him on this journey is found in the Law of Moses:

Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the LORD. –Leviticus 18:5

After a review of the Old Testament’s two conflicting ideas about restoration—Deuteronomic, which requires human repentance, and prophetic, in which God’s promise is unconditional—Sprinkle gears up to the New Testament and Paul’s take on salvation: justification and human agency, the role of the eschatological Spirit, and anthropology. He compares Paul with the Qumran community, noting their similarities and differences. (There are some short comparisons with other Judaic writings, but the major focus is on the Dead Sea Scrolls.)

It’s worth noting that Spring is a devoted Christian who does not consider Qumran writings to be inspired. Thus, determining the true flavor of Paul’s message, especially where it contrasts other Judaic thinking, is of fundamental importance. The research is very scholarly and convincing, and the footnotes are legion and quite interesting.

Definitely recommended.

Ultimately, Sprinkle challenges the church to "walk in a manner worthy of our calling" and shape our lives on the example of Christ. Fight: A Christian Case for Non-Violence is biblically rooted, theologically coherent, and prophetically challenging. It is a defining work that will stir discussions for years to come.

This is a very inspiring, informative, and uplifting book - a help and source of strength to all - spiritual and nonbelievers! Use the Word of God to triumph over violence. A good resource, educational tool but by no means replaces the Bible and its teachings.

I think we need more books like this that can help people regain their faith in god and to believe in a good and forgiving god. We need to start focusing on how we can change for the better and become happier people. If you need to be built up. Read this book.

I've always been a fan of Francis Chan since I heard him speak at Worship Central conference in London an 2009.

I ordered this book to compare it to the Universalist proposal by Rob Bell in Love Wins, which I also really like. While Chan rebuts many of the arguments in of Bell, I think it's beautiful to hold these two books and positions in tension.

Chan keeps central the idea of God as sovereign and high above us, so high that we don't have the right to judge what He has declared to be just. He also examines mainstream America's attitudes toward hell and judgment--declaring not that we should judge others, and not that escaping hell should be the main way to evangelize, but that the reality of hell should inspire us to love harder, go farther, and reach as many people as possible--because that is God's heart--to reach everyone.

He also discusses our "embarrassment" of hell, and alternatives to the attitude of "apology" for hell.

I think both books have a lot to offer in terms of rethinking American Christian Culture and our attitudes toward hell and judgment. I recommend reading them together, and spending much time in prayer and group talks over the topics within.