Erasing hell is probably most suited as a direct counter to the controversial book "Love Wins" by Rob Bell. Not having read the book, I can't say how well it did against countering it, but erasing hell is extremely though provoking. This isn't a Dante's inferno look at hell or a definitive answer to what exactly hell is like, but a factual biblically supported account of what is said about hell, who will be there, who won't be there, and even what it's not. I guess before I proceed I must state that this book draw's all of its proof from scripture, the Bible. Whether or not you believe the bible to be truth, to be God inspired and God breathed, I've come to the conclusion is irrelevant. Just like scientists knew the earth was flat 500 years ago. Just because you do not believe something to be true, does not make it so. And yes, I know the argument can go both ways, but when the eternity of your soul is in question, do you really want to play chicken with God? I'm not here to debate all the arguments for or against the Bible. I believe that "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. (2 Timothy 3:16) One of the big questions that Chan and Sprinkle attempts to answer centers on whether or not Christian universalism and the opportunity for post-mortem salvation is defensible from scripture. (meaning that everyone will have a chance to accept Christ at any point in their existence before or after death.) In short, in the search for proof texts in its defense, they found exactly none. One of the more important aspects that Chan and Sprinkle takes is that they spends a lot of time putting all of the passages in contexts. They let us know what would have been common knowledge and what would have been earth shattering as far as teachings go. I really appreciate how Chan and Sprinkle really push the theme of letting God be God and that he has the right to do WHATEVER He pleases. Who are we, the clay pot, to tell the creator/sculptor that we know better or that he shouldn't have done this or that. His ways are higher then our ways and His thoughts are higher then our thoughts. We being the finite creation that we are, and only have the recorded past and present to gain knowledge from, our feelings, desires, heartaches, convictions are not ultimate, only God is ultimate. As Chan states "I often hear people say, "I could never love a God who would... " Who would what? Who would disagree with you? And do things you would never do? Who would allow bad things to happen to people? Who would be more concerned with His own glory then your feelings? Who would--send people to hell?" The absurdity of this notion is that God is somehow answerable to us. I do not like the idea of hell, but it's there. I don't wish anyone to hell, but people will still be there. All I can do is submit to the reality that God is greater then I am, and that in all things God works for the good of those who love him. But what I think is probably one of the best things that Chan and Sprinkle do in this book is to create a sense of urgency. We are talking about peoples eternal destinies, and not in a fire insurance sense. We should not take this responsibility lightly. I would encourage those with questions about what the bible truly says about hell, and any christian for that matter, to read this book. It is short read, but doesn't brow beat you like a doomsday street corner preacher.
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