Surprised by Hell

Unexpected Discoveries in the Bible and Church History

By: Les Bridgeman

Narrated by: Les Bridgeman

This book will take you on a fascinating journey through the history of Christian thought.

The journey includes surprising twists and turns as we navigate the three major views of hell in church history: (1) eternal conscious torment, (2) annihilationism (sinners will cease to exist), and (3) ultimate restoration (hell is an afterlife refinery leading all to repentance and faith in Christ). But this is much more than a tour through the underworld. This topic drives us to take a closer look at the Bible, Christian theology, and the character of God.

This audiobook is also posted on YouTube.

©2017 Les Bridgeman (P)2020 Les Bridgeman

Good exegesis

This is a methodical and orderly presentation of New Testament teachings on the future blessedness and future punishment awaiting the righteous and unrighteousness respectively. It goes in depth as to how infernalism, annihilationism, and universalism (what he calls the prison, incinerator, and refinery views of hell) can all be seen in the Scriptural witness. The author lands on universalism, without negating or dismissing the very real pains of future punishment which, for the sake of purification (“refining”), will nevertheless await those who do not repent in this life. As such, the book presents a view of universal hope that does justice to the full breadth of scriptural witness. Anyone interested in David Bentley Hart’s book “That All Shall Be Saved,” but looking for a bit less metaphysical bravado and a bit more Bible, may well find this book helpful.

The book is read by the author himself who, though clearly not a professional voice actor, nevertheless offers a convincing and engaging reading, even despite some occasional mispronunciations of proper names (such as “Clement”).