I've read most of the Bible and I've read Dante (and Milton for that matter) and I don't recall ever seeing anything in the bible corresponding to these visions. So was he accurate or at least on the right lines?
Please limit your personal views of what Heaven and Hell are like (or whether they exist at all), as these are not relevant to the question. I'm only interested in whether the Bible and the Christian religions agree or disagree with this literary classic.
2007-01-13 13:27:10 · 7 answers · asked by The Truth 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Wisdom Lies in the Heart - ah, so hell somewhat matches Milton's view. Interesting.
As to Purgatory, I found the concept wasn't interesting to me.
2007-01-13 13:40:16 · update #1
Dante is most assuredly wrong... The closest image of hell that you get in Scripture is the description of the fires in Hades, which happen to be the trash pits outside of the city of Jerusalem. The Idea of Fire and Brimstone were the best way for Christ to relate the torment of not knowing God to his followers and those who came to here him speak. This however was not ment to be taken literally.
In General Dante does a very good job of creating a very bad place that one may not want to sample first hand but if you compare it to the writings of the NT you will find that it is way off base save for the one reference made by Christ himself.
Heaven- In Gods everlasting Presence and Love
Hell--- Knowing of Gods presence but never sharing in it. utter loneliness..
2007-01-13 13:38:15 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, While it represents a good picture of medieval thinking, it does not give an accurate biblical picture of either heaven or hell.
Dante is the person responsible for popularising the idea of a "graded" heaven and hell.
2007-01-13 13:31:42 · answer #2 · answered by K 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Biblically, there's nothing to back up his idea that Hell has different tiers of punishment. I like the idea, however, or at least I did when I was a Christian. I never could understand why someone who didn't believe in Charles Manson.
2007-01-13 13:30:55 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dante was visionary and let us have glimpse of what heave and Hell will be like. In absence of any Biblical support I guess Church cannot take a definite stand
2007-01-13 13:35:23 · answer #4 · answered by evertalall 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All Dante did was give the Church the idea of a Burning Hell.
2007-01-13 13:30:08 · answer #5 · answered by Royal Racer Hell=Grave © 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Heaven, maybe. Hell, not so much. Hell is supposed to be a lake of fire. I, however, think Dante's Hell would be a better alternative.
I noticed you didn't ask about Purgatory. Why is that?
2007-01-13 13:30:19 · answer #6 · answered by Wisdom Lies in the Heart 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
NO
2007-01-13 13:31:24 · answer #7 · answered by million$gon 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋