The Hellfire Doctrine is an Unscriptural Teaching

Let me start by saying that this debate is about whether or not the doctrine of hell is found in scripture, not about whether we think it’s loving or just. My argument will have 2 parts 1. The Scriptures on Hell 2. Why we must take these passages literally The Scriptures on Hell For a doctrine to be found to be biblical means different things to different people. Regardless of your Christian tradition and what they believe to be scriptural I think the mounds of evidence for this doctrine are irrefutable. I will now list some important clear passages on the existence of Hell, from just the New Testament [1]. "But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” (Revelations 21:8) “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” (Matthew 25:46) "They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might" (2 Thessalonians 1:9) 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. They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 13: 41,42) If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out. (Mark 9:43) “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" (Matthew 25: 41) "But the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who had performed the signs on its behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur" (Revelation 19:20) Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. (Matthew 10:28) These are just some of the many passages on Hell from the New Testament. There is clear reference to the suffering of Hell, often described as fire. There is also clear reference to the eternal nature of Hell that it is not a temporary state but one that never ends. Why We Must Take These Passages Literally It is not uncommon for Jesus in the New Testament to use a literary device known as hyperbole. Hyperbole is an over exaggerated statement not to be taken literally. An example of this is Matthew 19: 24 "Again I tell you; it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God." This is an exaggeration used in order to get the attention of the people to reveal to them a particular truth about wealth and humility. Since no camel can fit through the eye of a needle it is obvious not to be taken literally. The passages about Hell though do not fall into this category. Jesus is not appealing to any larger theme or idea so it’s hard to compare it to the example above. Also we not only see Jesus speak about Hell but also St. Paul in is epistles and St. John in his visions from Revelations. If these passages were hyperbole they would not be used by other New Testament writers in such a direct fashion. In fact Jesus speaks almost twice as often about Hell as he does Heaven [2]. To say he is speaking in hyperbole would mean we must throughout all his teachings about heaven since they are equally as astonishing, but appears less. No Christian is willing to do this so we must also take literally His and the entire Bibles warning of Hell.