Faith: Is Hell Real? What the Bible Actually Says About Eternal Judgment
- Dr. Layne McDonald
- 3 hours ago
- 5 min read
Faith: Is Hell Real? What the Bible Actually Says About Eternal Judgment
The reality of hell is one of the most difficult and controversial topics in the Christian faith. Recently, the conversation was reignited by progressive Christian influencer Jen Hatmaker, who announced she no longer believes in a literal hell, claiming that abandoning this belief "rescued her faith" from a punitive view of God. While these discussions often focus on our emotions and cultural trends, we must look to Scripture to find the true north of this eternal reality.
Direct Answer: Is Hell Real?
According to the Bible, hell is a real, literal, and eternal place of conscious separation from God. Jesus Christ spoke more about hell than any other figure in Scripture, describing it not as a metaphor, but as a final destination for those who reject God’s grace. It is the necessary expression of God’s perfect justice and holiness in response to sin.
Last Updated: July 25, 2026
The Current Debate: Why "Laying Down Hell" is Trending
The recent announcement by Jen Hatmaker has resonated with many who have experienced "church hurt" or struggle with the concept of a God who judges. Hatmaker described her transition as a relief, moving away from what she called a "tyrant" God to one of "pure love." You can read more about the cultural impact of these statements in this Christian Post report.
However, as a pastor and coach, I often tell my mentees that we cannot construct a God out of our own preferences. If we believe Jesus is who He says He is, we must also believe what He says about the afterlife. When we ask, "What is hell according to the Bible?", we aren't just looking for a definition; we are looking at the character of God Himself.
What Jesus Said About Hell
It is a striking theological fact that Jesus spoke more about hell than He did about heaven. He didn't do this to "terrorize" His listeners, but because He loved them enough to warn them about a real danger.
Matthew 25:46: Jesus describes the final judgment, stating, "Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."
Luke 16:19-31: In the account of the rich man and Lazarus, Jesus describes a state of conscious torment and a "great chasm" that cannot be crossed. This passage is central to understanding what the Bible says about hell as a place of irreparable separation.
Mark 9:43-48: Jesus uses the imagery of "unquenchable fire" to emphasize the gravity of the soul's destination.
As the team at Got Questions points out, if hell is not a real place, then Jesus was either mistaken or intentionally misleading, neither of which aligns with His identity as the Son of God.
Does God "Send" People to Hell?
One of the most frequent questions I receive in my coaching practice is: "Does God send people to hell?" This framing often makes God look like a cosmic bully. However, the biblical perspective is much more profound.
Alistair Begg, a voice of deep wisdom in modern ministry, once noted: "Sin is serious, and its ultimate consequence, hell, is all too real." He further explains that God’s wrath is not a "cranky emotional explosion," but His "settled opposition to the cancer of sin."
Hell is the ultimate recognition of human autonomy. If a person spends their entire life saying to God, "Leave me alone," God eventually, sorrowfully, grants that wish. As C.S. Lewis famously wrote, "There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, 'Thy will be done,' and those to whom God says, in the end, 'Thy will be done.'"
For more on how God handles justice, check out our post: Faith: Why doesn’t God punish bad people?.
The Purpose of Hell: Justice and Holiness
To understand why hell exists, we have to understand the holiness of God. If God is truly good, He must hate evil. If He is truly just, He must punish sin. A God who "winks" at the atrocities of history, human trafficking, murder, and betrayal, is not a God worth worshiping.
2 Thessalonians 1:9 describes hell as being "punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord." This "shutting out" is the essence of hell. It is the absence of everything that comes from God: light, love, joy, and peace.
The Rescue: Why the Reality of Hell Makes the Gospel Beautiful
If we remove the reality of hell, we inadvertently diminish the work of the Cross. Why did Jesus have to die? If there is no judgment, then the crucifixion was a tragic mistake rather than a divine rescue.
Alistair Begg teaches that on the cross, "Jesus takes hell for us." He endured the darkness and the separation from the Father so that we would never have to. The terrifying reality of hell actually highlights the staggering depth of God's love. He didn't just tell us He loved us; He entered into the judgment we deserved to make a way out.
If you are questioning your value or God's love for you in light of these truths, I encourage you to read: Faith: Who is Jesus? A direct answer to the most important question you’ll ever ask.
Finding Your True North
Believing in hell doesn't mean we live in constant fear. For the believer, the reality of hell should lead to three things:
Gratitude: Deep, heart-felt thanks that we have been rescued by Grace.
Compassion: A desire to share the hope of Christ with a world that is lost.
Clarity: Understanding that our choices in this life have eternal weight.
We serve a God who is "not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). The door to grace is open. If you've been shaken by the debates of influencers or the noise of culture, come back to the Word. It is the only foundation that holds.
FAQ: Common Questions About Hell and Judgment
Is hell eternal or just temporary?
According to Matthew 25:46 and Revelation 20:10, the Bible uses the same Greek word for "eternal" to describe both life in heaven and punishment in hell. This suggests that both states are permanent.
How can a loving God allow hell to exist?
God’s love and His justice are not in conflict. Because He loves what is good, He must judge what is evil. Hell is the place where God finally and fully deals with sin so that it can no longer mar His creation.
What about people who have never heard the Gospel?
The Bible tells us in Romans 1:20 that God has made His power known through creation and that He is a perfectly just Judge. We can trust that the "Judge of all the earth" will do what is right (Genesis 18:25).
Is hell a literal fire?
While the Bible uses the imagery of fire (Mark 9:43) and "outer darkness" (Matthew 22:13), many scholars believe these are the most powerful human metaphors available to describe a reality that is even more intense: the total absence of God's favorable presence.
Can I lose my salvation and end up in hell?
The Gospel promises that those who are truly in Christ are "held in His hand" (John 10:28). Our security is not based on our perfection, but on Christ's finished work.
If you are looking for guidance on your spiritual journey, leadership coaching, or help finding your "True North," I would love to connect with you. Visit www.laynemcdonald.com to find more resources, books, and coaching tools designed to help you live a life of purpose and faith.
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