When did the concept of an actual hell(with fire and brimstone) come into being?

Question

I recall that this is not biblically accurate and that hell in the bible is not concrete, more that there is heaven and purgatory. So when did this view of punishment for bad behaviour come into existence? Was it after the bible first came out? If so then when? Was it caused by a particular period in human history?

Answer 1

it was even before the bible there was always talk of the underworld with hadies same concept differant names.

Answer 2

The teachings of hell in the Bible are certainly unpopular. Jesus taught more about hell than anyone else in the Bible (see Luke 16:19+).

Some verses mention "eternal separation from God" or "outer darkness" which seem relatively benign. Others are terrifying, and it seems unbelievable that God would condemn anyone to eternal, conscious torment.

However, we aren't allowed to "pick and choose" ... which can result in idoltry of a "made up" God who is all loving and not just, holy, righteous, and who hates sin.

Answer 3

It is not biblical. It has it's roots in the Pagan belief of the immortal soul. The early church in Rome over time mixed in many Pagan beliefs and rituals in an attempt to bring Pagans into the church. That's why we celebrate Christmas and Easter. These were originally Pagan holidays. The bible says that the soul that sins will die. That man is mortal and immortality will only be given to the righteous.

Answer 4

First, hell is not a punishment for "bad behavior". It is the result of telling God to get out of your life and stay out, and He will honor your request.

But, where God is not, THAT is hell, realizing that "All good things come from God", so when God withdraws, so will all good things.

That would include - uh - Love, Joy, Peace, goodness, HOPE!, escape from pain, friends, etc, etc. You name it, if it's good, it just won't be there.

Hell was mentioned in the Old Testament - Daniel talks about a place of eternal shame and contempt.

Jesus, of course, spoke the most about hell. He said it is "outer darkness, where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth". Jesus, quoting an Old Testament passage in Isaiah, said that "The fire is never quenched, and the worms - that is, the people there - never die."

Of course, many religions like to avoid hell because they don't want to face moral accountability before God, but Jesus' own words should be sufficient.

There is no hint of any kind of "purgatory", or a place where we can be "purged" of our sins in order to prepare us for heaven. That is NOT Scriptural.

Also, babies going to hell - THAT is not Scriptural, either.

I hope this helps answer your question without sounding "preachy" about it all.

In either case, don't say no to God's plea. God says that He doesn't want ANY body to perish (ie spend eternity in hell), but that ALL would come to repentance.

In fact (and now I AM getting "preachy" - oh, well!), Jesus, Himself, said "For God so loved this world, that He (freely) gave His one and only begotten Son, that ANY body who believes in (trusts in, clings to, and relies on) Him (ie Jesus) shall not perish, but have everlasting life. When God sent His Son into the world, it wasn't to condemn the world, but to save it. Whoever believes in the Son of God will NOT be condemned. But whoever does NOT believe in the Son of God is condemned already."

Answer 5

No, some dude wrote a book about burning hell and white puffy clouds in heaven.

Answer 6

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

Matt 10:28 - thats Jesus speaking - hell is not a new concept

Answer 7

When Adam & Eve sinned 6000 years ago....

And it's not a concept.....it's a real place