Hell

[IcePrincessKRS]

Where does the teaching on Hell originate? I have an athiest/agnostic (I don't think he can decide which he is) friend who recently shared a youtube video by "liberal Christian" Episcopal "priest" John Shelby Spong that claims hell is an "invention by the church to control with fear," etc. He refers back to Judaism which has Gehenna and Sheol which are described as being more purgatory-like, but noplace of eternal damnation. I have no qualms with Church teaching, but how does one counter an argument like that? He seems to dismiss the Bible because it's not as "old" as Judaism. I immediately dismissed it because I didn't feel his sources were credible, but to give him more food for thought where should I point him?

[cappie]

From the Catholic Encyclopedia
[b] Existence of hell[/b]

thar is a hell, i.e. all those who die in personal mortal [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14004b.htm"]sin[/url], as enemies of [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06608a.htm"]God[/url], and unworthy of eternal life, will be severely punished by [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06608a.htm"]God[/url] after death. On the nature of mortal [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14004b.htm"]sin[/url], see [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14004b.htm"]SIN[/url]; on the immediate beginnin' of punishment after death, see [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08550a.htm"]PARTICULAR JUDGMENT[/url]. As to the fate of those who die free from personal mortal [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14004b.htm"]sin[/url], but in [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11312a.htm"]original sin[/url], see [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09256a.htm"]LIMBO[/url] ([i]limbus parvulorum[/i]).
The existence of hell is, of course, denied by all those who deny the [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06608b.htm"]existence of God[/url] or the [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07687a.htm"]immortality[/url] of the [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14153a.htm"]soul[/url]. Thus among the [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08399a.htm"]Jew[/url] the [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13323a.htm"]Sadducees[/url], among the [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06592a.htm"]Gnostics[/url], the [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13688c.htm"]Seleucians[/url], and in our own time [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10041b.htm"]Materialists[/url], [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11447b.htm"]Pantheists[/url], etc., deny the existence of hell. But apart from these, if we abstract from the [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05551b.htm"]eternity[/url] of the pains of hell, the [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05075b.htm"]doctrine[/url] has never met any opposition worthy of mention.
The existence of hell is [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12454c.htm"]proved[/url] first of all from the [url="http://www.newadvent.org/bible"]Bible[/url]. Wherever [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08374c.htm"]Christ[/url] and the [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01626c.htm"]Apostles[/url] speak of hell they presuppose the [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08673a.htm"]knowledge[/url] of its existence ([url="http://www.newadvent.org/bible/mat005.htm#vrs29"]Matthew 5:29[/url]; [url="http://www.newadvent.org/bible/mat008.htm#vrs12"]8:12[/url]; [url="http://www.newadvent.org/bible/mat010.htm#vrs28"]10:28[/url]; [url="http://www.newadvent.org/bible/mat013.htm#vrs42"]13:42[/url]; [url="http://www.newadvent.org/bible/mat025.htm#vrs41"]25:41, 46[/url]; [url="http://www.newadvent.org/bible/2th001.htm#vrs8"]2 Thessalonians 1:8[/url]; [url="http://www.newadvent.org/bible/rev021.htm#vrs8"]Revelation 21:8[/url], etc.). A very complete development of the Scriptural argument, especially in regard to the [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14526a.htm"]Old Testament[/url], may be found in Atzberger's "Die christliche Eschatologie in den Stadien ihrer Offenbarung im Alten und Neuen Testament", Freiburg, 1890. Also the Fathers, from the very earliest times, are unanimous in teachin' that the wicked will be punished after death. And in [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12454c.htm"]proof[/url] of their [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05075b.htm"]doctrine[/url] they appeal both to Scripture and to reason (cf. Ignatius, "Ad Eph.", v, 16; "Martyrium s. Polycarpi", ii, n, 3; xi, n.2; [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08580c.htm"]Justin[/url], "Apol.", II, n. 8 in P.G., VI, 458; [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02042b.htm"]Athenagoras[/url], "De resurr. mort.", c. xix, in P.G., VI, 1011; [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08130b.htm"]Irenaeus[/url], [url="http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0103527.htm"][i]Against Heresies[/i] V.27.2[/url]; [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14520c.htm"]Tertullian[/url], "Adv. Marc.", I, c. xxvi, in P.L., IV, 277). For citations from this patristic teachin' see Atzberger, "Gesh. der christl. Eschatologie innerhalb der vornicanischen Zeit" (Freiburg, 1896); [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11743a.htm"]Petavius[/url], "De Angelis", III, iv sqq.

The [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03744a.htm"]Church[/url] professes her [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05752c.htm"]faith[/url] in the [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02033b.htm"]Athanasian Creed[/url]: "They that have done good shall go into life everlastin', and they that have done [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05649a.htm"]evil[/url] into everlastin' fire" ([url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04736b.htm"]Denzin'er[/url], "Enchiridion", 10th ed., 1908, n.40). The [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03744a.htm"]Church[/url] has repeatedly defined this [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15073a.htm"]truth[/url], e.g. in the profession of [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05752c.htm"]faith[/url] made in the [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09476c.htm"]Second Council of Lyons[/url] (Denx., n. 464) and in the Decree of Union in the [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06111a.htm"]Council of Florence[/url] (Denz., N. 693): "the [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14153a.htm"]souls[/url] of those who depart in mortal [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14004b.htm"]sin[/url], or only in [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11312a.htm"]original sin[/url], go down immediately into hell, to be visited, however, with unequal punishments" ([i]poenis disparibus[/i]).

If we abstract from the [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05551b.htm"]eternity[/url] of its punishment, the existence of hell can be demonstrated even by the light of mere reason. In His [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07386a.htm"]sanctity[/url] and [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08571c.htm"]justice[/url] as well as in His wisdom, [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06608a.htm"]God[/url] must avenge the violation of the moral order in such wise as to preserve, at least in general, some proportion between the gravity of [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14004b.htm"]sin[/url] and the severity of punishment. But it is evident from experience that [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06608a.htm"]God[/url] does not always do this on earth; therefore He will inflict punishment after death. Moreover, if all men were fully convinced that the sinner need fear no kind of punishment after death, moral and social order would be seriously menaced. This, however, Divine wisdom cannot permit. Again, if thar were no retribution beyond that which takes place before our eyes here on earth, we should have to consider [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06608a.htm"]God[/url] extremely indifferent to [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06636b.htm"]good[/url] and [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05649a.htm"]evil[/url], and we could in no way account for His [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08571c.htm"]justice[/url] and [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07386a.htm"]holiness[/url]. Nor can it be said: the wicked will be punished, but not by any positive infliction: for either death will be the end of their existence, or, forfeitin' the rich reward of the good, they will enjoy some lesser degree of [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07131b.htm"]happiness[/url]. These are arbitrary and vain subterfuges, unsupported by any sound reason; positive punishment is the natural recompense of [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05649a.htm"]evil[/url]. Besides, due proportion between demerit and punishment would be rendered impossible by an indiscriminate annihilation of all the wicked. And finally, if men [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08673a.htm"]knew[/url] that their [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14004b.htm"]sins[/url] would not be followed by sufferin's, the mere threat of annihilation at the moment of death, and still less the prospect of a somewhat lower degree of beatitude, would not suffice to deter them from [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14004b.htm"]sin[/url].

Furthermore, reason easily understands that in the next life the just will be made [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07131b.htm"]happy[/url] as a reward of their virtue ([i]see[/i] [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07170a.htm"]HEAVEN[/url]). But the punishment of [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05649a.htm"]evil[/url] is the natural counterpart of the reward of [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15472a.htm"]virtue[/url]. Hence, thar will also be punishment for [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14004b.htm"]sin[/url] in the next life. Accordin'ly, we find among all nations the [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02408b.htm"]belief[/url] that evil-doers will be punished after death. This universal conviction of [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09580c.htm"]mankind[/url] is an additional [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12454c.htm"]proof[/url] for the existence of hell. For it is impossible that, in regard to the fundamental questions of their bein' and their destiny, all men should fall into the same [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05525a.htm"]error[/url]; else the power of [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09580c.htm"]human[/url] [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12673b.htm"]reason[/url] would be essentially deficient, and the order of this world would be unduly wrapt in mystery; this however, is repugnant both to nature and to the wisdom of the Creator. On the [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02408b.htm"]belief[/url] of all nations in the existence of hell cf. Lüken, "Die Traditionen des Menschengeschlechts" (2nd ed., Münster, 1869); Knabenbauer, "Das Zeugnis des Menschengeschlechts fur die Unsterblichkeit der Seele" (1878). The few men who, despite the morally universal conviction of the [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09580c.htm"]human race[/url], deny the existence of hell, are mostly [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02040a.htm"]atheists[/url] and [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05500b.htm"]Epicureans[/url]. But if the view of such men in the fundamental question of our bein' could be the [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15073a.htm"]true[/url] one, [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01624b.htm"]apostasy[/url] would be the way to light, [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15073a.htm"]truth[/url], and wisdom.




From the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

[b]IV. HELL [/b]

[b][url=""]1033[/url][/b] We cannot be united with God unless we freely choose to love him. But we cannot love God if we sin gravely against him, against our neighbor or against ourselves: "He who does not love remains in death. Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you matey know that no murderer has eternal life abidin' in him."[sup]612[/sup] Our Lord warns us that we shall be separated from him if we fail to meet the serious needs of the poor and the little ones who are his brethren.[sup]613[/sup] To die in mortal sin without repentin' and acceptin' God's merciful love means remainin' separated from him for ever by our own free choice. This state of definitive self-exclusion from communion with God and the blessed is called "hell."

[b]1034[/b] Jesus often speaks of "Gehenna" of "the unquenchable fire" reserved for those who to the end of their lives refuse to believe and be converted, where both soul and body can be lost.[sup]614[/sup] Jesus solemnly proclaims that he "will send his angels, and they will gather . . . all evil doers, and throw them into the furnace of fire,"[sup]615[/sup] and that he will pronounce the condemnation: "Depart from me, you matey cursed, into the eternal fire!"[sup]616[/sup]

[b][url=""]1035[/url][/b] The teachin' of the Church affirms the existence of hell and its eternity. Immediately after death the souls of those who die in a state of mortal sin descend into hell, where they suffer the punishments of hell, "eternal fire."[sup]617[/sup] The chief punishment of hell is eternal separation from God, in whom alone man can possess the life and happiness for which he be created and for which he longs.

[b][url=""]1036[/url][/b] The affirmations of Sacred Scripture and the teachin's of the Church on the subject of hell are a call to the responsibility incumbent upon man to make use of his freedom in view of his eternal destiny. they be at the same time an urgent call to conversion: "Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few."[sup]618[/sup]
Since we know neither the day nor the hour, we should follow the advice of the Lord and watch constantly so that, when the sin'le course of our earthly life is completed, we may merit to enter with him into the marriage feast and be numbered among the blessed, and not, like the wicked and slothful servants, be ordered to depart into the eternal fire, into the outer darkness where "men will weep and gnash their teeth."[sup]619[/sup]
[b]1037[/b] God predestines no one to go to hell;[sup]620[/sup] for this, a willful turnin' away from God (a mortal sin) is necessary, and persistence in it until the end. In the Eucharistic liturgy and in the daily prayers of her faithful, the Church implores the mercy of God, who does not want "any to perish, but all to come to repentance":[sup]621[/sup]
Father, accept this offerin'
from your whole family.
Grant us your peace in this life,
save us from final damnation,
and count us among those you matey have chosen.[sup]622[/sup] [sup]Footnotes: [/sup]612 [i]1 Jn[/i] 3:14-15.
613 Cf. [i]Mt[/i] 25:31-46.
614 Cf. [i]Mt[/i] 5:22,29; 10:28; 13:42,50; [i]Mk[/i] 9:43-48.
615 [i]Mt[/i] 13:41-42.
616 [i]Mt[/i] 25:41.
617 Cf. DS 76; 409; 411; 801; 858; 1002; 1351; 1575; Paul VI, [i]CPG[/i] § 12.
618 [i]Mt[/i] 7:13-14.
619 [i]LG[/i] 48 § 3; [i]Mt[/i] 22:13; cf. [i]Heb[/i] 9:27; [i]Mt[/i] 25:13,26,30,31-46.
620 Cf. Council of Orange II (529):DS 397; Council of Trent (1547):1567.
621 [i]2 Pet[/i] 3:9.
622 [i]Roman Missal[/i], EP I (Roman Canon) 88.