the righteous purpose of God's judgment
'Hope Beyond Hell' Book Reviews
Hi Gerry,
I downloaded the book and read it. It was one of the best well thought out books I've read regarding the true nature of God and his purpose for us. I lost my son a year and a half ago. I went to an evangelical church that believed in hell. But when my son died he wasn't following Christ. The pain it caused me was unbearable.
I cried out to God to tell me where my only child had gone. I begged God not to desert me, to please tell me where he is. God was so awesome and loving to me. He gave me so much comfort. The thought came into my mind, do you trust me? I gave all my pain to him and he took it, showed me how loving and kind He really is. I began searching intensely, almost ravenously to know the truth….I want to thank you for all your effort. You have been a true blessing from God for me. God Bless You.
Dear Mr. Beauchemin;
How can I thank you for your book Hope Beyond Hell? It is literally the best book I have ever read and has changed my life in so many ways. I believe that God led me to your website while I was looking for the answer to a crossword puzzle about Dante’s Inferno. It cannot be a coincidence; this is my story.
When I was four years old my mom told me that if I didn’t say the sinners prayer and accept Jesus into my heart that I would burn in Hell. I remember kneeling down in front of my dad’s plaid green armchair and accepting Jesus as my savior right then and there. In the years that followed I tried very hard to do everything the bible said but I became proud and judgmental like the Pharisees. I lived a very sheltered life attending only Christian schools, having Christian friends and doing "Christian" activities. When I left home however my world began to expand and I made non-Christian friends and found that they were, in many ways, more loving and accepting than I was. A defining moment was when I went to a family member’s Sikh wedding and I was confronted with hundreds of people joyously dancing and celebrating all of whom I believed were going to Hell. It was devastating.
After that I realized that according to what I had been taught many loving and genuine people were going to Hell for all eternity. I guess before I assumed that non-Christians were just not good people. In subsequent years I tried to reconcile what I had been told about God’s love and the idea that we only get one chance on this earth to figure it out. After years of struggling to come to terms with what I believed, I finally concluded that God must be evil and Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross was a joke. I used to pray at night begging God not to send anyone to Hell for eternity. I cried and tried to convince him that it was too much, too long, too terrible, but I had no hope that he would ever answer my prayer.
Then one day while doing a crossword puzzle I was looking up information on Dante’s Inferno and came across a website with a link that asked the question "Is Hell Real?" It began with the argument that the Greek word aion cannot mean eternal. I felt like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders and began to search for every bit of information that I could find on the internet about Hell. I don’t believe in accepting everything I hear but gather all the information and test to see what is true. Eventually I came across your book and knew it would be the defining argument based on the introductory story of a Muslim man named Abdou.
I was afraid to read the book, however, because I had decided that if Hell was eternal with no chance of it ever ending, or if people only had one chance on this earth to accept Christ I would reject God completely (which ironically would send me to Hell for eternity). I was terrified and put off reading the book. I spoke to anyone who would listen and asked them what they believed about Hell. The response was overwhelmingly that Hell was eternal and that there was only one chance on earth to avoid being sent there. My terror and sadness rose and finally broke one night at my pastors house as he expounded on God’s holiness and sin and how a gift has to be opened and that even aborigines in the jungle are without excuse because nature testifies about God the creator. I cried for four hours straight at the overwhelming coldness of that stone-hearted holy God.
Then God whispered in my ear and said, "Read the book." In it I encountered an amazingly loving and responsible creator. One who knows our sins and weaknesses and overcomes them all. Your book did convince me that God will save everyone – I was not simply relieved, I was overwhelmed with God’s love. Your book assured me that God could be trusted to accomplish his work and that he WILL accomplish it. My fears and judgments of others melted away as I felt for the first time that I might actually be able to love my neighbor and my enemy if God is really that loving himself.
I read your book online and immediately ordered 10 copies (which I have received –thank you very much). I have given away four already, and I plan on putting one in my church library. It is all I can talk about. I am going to talk to my church about this as well, and I bring it up in conversation whenever I can. You have brought relief and hope to so many people already and to me especially. I wish I could better express more fully how the idea of an eternal hell has tormented me and how much hope your book has brought to my heart, but God knows and he is all that matters. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Saved by grace,
As I read Gerry Bauchemin's 'Hope Beyond Hell', I cried for joy. This disarmingly simple yet full-bodied presentation of the whole gospel of the total restoration of all mankind through Christ's cross was a direct answer to prayers I have prayed for many years! I have longed to see a book on this subject that is clear, easy to read, yet scholarly--and a book that deeply impacts the heart as well as the intellect. And I'm convinced that this book you are now holding in your hands is it!
Have you experienced the sad passing of a friend or a loved one and grieved in uncertainty over his or her eternal destiny? Have you ever had trouble sleeping because you were tortured with fear of dying and going to a never-ending hell yourself? How about the common religious notion that a loving (?) God has ordained from eternity past that many of His own creatures will suffer fiery agony forever in a place called hell? Does this concept make it difficult for you to love him? Or worship Him? Or admire and desire to become like Him? Multitudes of sincere people, including many Christians have experienced your struggles. You are not alone. But our Heavenly Father has WONDERFUL NEWS for you!
There IS hope beyond hell. We have a far better God with a far better heart and far grander purpose for His creation than many of the current Christian creeds advertise. As you read these pages I pray that our Heavenly Father will ravish your heart with His love as you have never dreamed He might. I sincerely believe God will anoint this book to bring His healing love to many hearts for many years to come. I also sense deeply that it will be a major tool of the Holy Spirit to remove the blinders from the spiritual eyes of many Christians and awaken them to their true High Priesthood calling as co-world-liberators with our Lord Jesus Christ.
The church has not been 'called out' to go to heaven to the everlasting exclusion of the rest of the human race. It has been called out to SPREAD heaven and empty hell--to co-labor with Christ until God becomes everything -- in everyone, everywhere in all creation. This is why the Bible says that the church is 'the fullness of Him who fills all in all.' This called out company has not been given the mission to be the fullness of a god who could be all in merely a few people known as 'the Church.'
I urge you to read these pages more than once. Read this entire work at least three times, and have your Bible on hand to look up the Scriptural references given and ponder them. I promise you will be glad you did!
I believe there is the STRONG possibility that you will be purchasing many other copies of this volume to pass around! 'Hope Beyond Hell' assures us of a Love that is greater than our worst vices and goes deeper than our most entrenched hatreds, fears and addictions. This book boldly beams forth the Healing Light of a Love that never gives up on us and never fails no matter how miserably we may fail. THIS is the Love that empties hell. THIS is the good news of original Christianity. THIS is the good news of our Wonderful Savior God that the world is longing to hear. And THIS is what the Bible proclaims as, "glad tidings of GREAT joy which shall be to ALL people. (Luke 2:13) All people.. Wow! This includes the very scruffiest ones, and this brings great hope to-- Yours truly,"
"Friends and family listen to two preachers at the old man's funeral. One of them describes the man as a saint who never did any wrong. The other speaks of an eternal torture chamber and suggests that, most likely, that is the current residence of the deceased. Which is right? after all... both preachers are professionals.... they both went to seminary. The family of the deceased needs peace and comfort... How will these "professional" opinions help them? How will each of them wade through this quagmire of emotions and doctrinal contradictions? How will they get past the monster of religion that threatens to steal their peace... and hope? Is there a book you could place in their hands that could, step by step... present the truth to them that could set them free?... give them peace?... offer them hope?... There is, now! 'Hope Beyond Hell' is the single best book in print that explains the facts of God's limitless grace and boundless love. If you're interested in learning the truth.... here it is! Gerard Beauchemin has, painstakingly, put together a book that truly offers hope beyond hell to every man. Buy this book in bulk and carry a case to all funerals!! This is the book I've been waiting for!"
"With great spiritual discernment and a heart attuned to the transforming love of God, Gerry Beauchemin has written a book that will, if you permit it, inspire love, peace, joy, and hope--all the fruit of the Spirit in your own heart. A strength of the book, in my opinion, is that Beauchemin writes as a thoughtful layperson rather than as a professional theologian. He consistently addresses, therefore, the concerns of ordinary people in search of consolation and hope, and he records for all of us scholarly opinions that too many Christians, steeped in their own tradition, have never heard. He also illustrates why the standard theological credentials, typically earned in a context requiring that one conform to tradition, are no substitute for spiritual imagination and for a willingness to accept truly good news."
"I applaud Gerry Beauchemin for his excellent book, 'Hope Beyond Hell,' and for the courage to write it. What a thorough and splendid presentation of the TRUE 'Good News'! Unfortunately, the so-called 'good news' preached in most churches is no good news at all, because it presents a God who is a FAILURE! He loses the vast majority of humanity to the clutches of a satan who is apparently more effective than He is.
Gerry Beauchemin believes in a different sort of God, One who is infinitely powerful and infinitely compassionate; One who not only DESIRES to save all humanity, One who not only CAN save all humanity, but One who ultimately WILL save all humanity! Gerry's concept of 'purpose-driven judgment' does not diminish the Biblical teaching concerning God's indignation toward sin, but it demonstrates that this judgment is REDEMPTIVE, not RETALIATORY; it is PROPITIATORY, not PUNITIVE.
This book is a 'must-read' for those Christians who have lost their way because they couldn't reconcile a Bible that declares that 'God is Love' while simultaneously teaching that the fate of the sinner is eternal damnation. The doctrine of 'endless punishment' has for centuries been the 'crazy uncle' that the Church, with justifiable embarrassment, has kept locked in the back bedroom. Unfortunately, from time to time, he escapes his confinement, usually when there are guests in the parlor, and usually just at the time when we are telling them about a loving God who gave His Son to die for their sins. It's no wonder that the guests run away never to return. But instead of shunting the 'crazy uncle' back to his asylum, and trying to cover our embarrassment (by ever more loudly shouting "God is Love!"), we need to get our 'crazy uncle' healed. A good place to start this healing process is Gerry Beauchemin's book. Layer by layer, concept by concept, Gerry's message will loose the bonds of insanity that has plagued the Church for centuries.
From the guilt-ridden psyche of Augustine to the tormented fantasies of Dante, the Church has been victimized by the terrors of pagan nonsense. It has been 'corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ' (2 Cor 11:3 KJV). Books like 'Hope Beyond Hell' are pointing us back to TRUE 'Good News.'"
Gerry Beauchemin's book HOPE BEYOND HELL, read and understood will help any sincere seeker discover God's mission and methods.If you want to know the HOPE, I highly recommend this book. Read it, understand it and share it's message with others.
"Gerry, I read your book and would agree with Charles and Robert that it is one of the best yet on this subject! I am a lifelong 53 year old church goer/ Elder who came into this greater understanding in 1999. It totally changed my life as I took the time to investigate the claims. Being a CPA and the analyst type, I wanted to be very sure of this topic so I spent thousands of hours doing research into church history and Biblical theology over about a 5 year period. Your book remarkably parallels many of my same conclusions which I ended up summarizing in 3 Books of my own.
'Hope Beyond Hell' does an excellent job in addressing the relevant issues in a logical and scholarly way which will now save other veteran Christians the many hours of study it would have taken to unravel some of the teaching that many of us grew up with. For those steeped in tradition as I was for 46 years, it not only takes a lot of time but the willingness to openly re-analyze the passages on this subject. It takes being a Berean. Most of us are pretty content with our coffee, fellowship and worship on Sunday morning and leave the details to the 'experts'.
I believe in this hour that God is inviting us all into Sonship and a deeper walk with Him. The Gospel is made very simple with your book. Those with nothing to unlearn will grasp this message easily and rejoice. I am also hopeful for the veterans that they too will be changed by your easy to understand format and conclusions presented. I also love your YWAM connection as I have many good friends in that fine ministry. Consequently, I would like to order a box of you books to hand out.
Thank you for writing such an easy to read book on this vitally important subject. As you say, it is not so much a book on some theological issue as it is really a book about the nature of God. His character, plans and understanding of His Kingdom purposes are at stake. I would say that is kind of important!"
I wanted several copies of this book to give to my ultra religious friends who insist on believing in a God who would throw most of his own children, created in His image and likeness, into a tormenting hellfire FOREVER.
As far as I'm concerned, Gerry Beauchemin thoroughly disproves this appalling church doctrine by supplying the reader with ample, straight forward evidence to the contrary. Original translations from the scriptures, writings of early Christian Greek scholars, numerous Bible passages and more, allow any seeker of truth to come to a rational conclusion. Is mankind going to be judged and then sent into an everlasting fiery torment or judged and sent into ages of corrective fiery lessons to learn? Read this book and then you decide.
Hope Beyond Hell is a page turner for anyone interested in the subject of hell, but also a helpful study aide for serious students of the Bible. I highly recommend it.
I was impressed by the author's excellent research, organization, readability, documentation, serious theological and exegetical defense of Christian Universal Reconciliation. This ranks along with Thomas Talbott, The Inescapable Love of God, as one of the best defenses of this view available. Wheras Talbott's book is philosophical, Beauchemin's Hope Beyond Hell is pastoral. The authors head and heart bring the openminded reader to consider what may be the most important paradigm shift that can be made concerning God and the gospel. I cannot stop sharing the insights and ideas and truths that remain faithful to a high view of scripture and set me free from some conclusions I now believe are unworthy of the God I love.
Gerry Beauchemin writes a compelling and very readable treatise on universal reconciliation. It is the most thorough treatment on this subject that I have every read, leaving no stone unturned. His format is brilliant: asking the question and then walking the reader through the scripture to answer that question. In a way that is easy to understand, he shows how mistranslations evolved, and then breaks down translations of words that have long been misunderstood. His appendices even cover material in more depth, but in the same easy to understand format. I have long been a believer in the absolute love of God - the real "Good News" - and highly recommend this book to those ready to consider God's reconciliation for all.
According to most so called Christians, the vast majority of all humankind will spend eternity roasting in hellfire after the rapture and the blessed second coming of their Lord and Savior back to this earth. How that translates into Good News, I'll never know.
Gerry Beauchemin is a considerate author who has gone to great lengths to document his work and that of many others throughout history. He has been involved in fulltime missions since 1988. He has served as a missionary in Mexico, the Philippines, and Senegal, West Africa with Youth with a Mission (YWAM), The Luke Society, and Philippine Health Care Ministries.
Gerry's book, "Hope Beyond Hell" traces the source of many of the unfortunate mistranslations that have caused much consternation for far too long. This is one of the best books on the subject that I have read.
Gerry Beauchemin has succeeded in rescuing the Bible from long misunderstood concepts of an angry and vendictive God. His research of scriptural language translation and interpretation is well documented so the reader can follow up personally to make his own decision. Gerry uses scripture to prove that God is completely loving and forgiving and would never condemn anyone to an eternity of endless, senseless torture. Thank God and Gerry for this enlightening book!
There are several books on the subject of ultimate reconciliation. This is the very latest and in some respects up-to-date, that is, relevant to questions that come up these days. It is easy to read. The author, Gerard Beauchemin, starts with a question that has disturbed us, what do we say to people about life after death and the judgment that follows. He shows from scripture why we can believe that God will eventually reconcile all people. He also points out where the errors in Bible translation have crept in that had many confused for a long time so we could not see or believe the truth shown in Scripture. I hope and know that many will find relief that God is greater than the theologians have made Him. Anything else is insulting our Lord.
Gerry Beauchemin has done a fantastic job of explaining the "real" good news that God will eventually draw all men to Himself. He has presented the scriptural evidence for the ultimate salvation of all mankind. He also points out the inconsistencies in bible translation that have led to the false belief in eternal torment. And he has done it in a logical, "common sense" way that the average layman can understand. Overall, it's the best book on the subject that I have found. I keep ordering more to give to friends and family!
I have read quite a few books on this subject and have found this one to be the best and most complete. There is also much information on his web site that wasn't added in the book. This information along with the book and a desire by the author to keep updates through his website as more is seen and revealed makes this book and the information on his website a must read for anyone concerned about what happens after death or questions orthodox Christianity's view of eternal punishment in hell.
As an instructor in Church History, in my opinion Gerry Beauchemin's Hope Beyond Hell - The Righteous Purpose of God's Judgment is one of the most balanced studies available today of the remedial judgements of God, and the great truth of the restoration of all things in Christ. Quite simply, this is a book about the love of God. Thank you, Gerry, for making such a splendid work available for the perusal of the wider church family. Many will be challenged as they "think on these things". Because of their traditions, some will kick against the pricks, but many others will come to "see" Him as He really is, in all of His Glory and Majesty.
His revelation of Himself is ever-unfolding. "The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto that perfect day." Prov. 4:18.
Personally, in my early Christian life I was mentored in Reconciliation Truth by the late Dr. Clarence Jordan* of Koinonia (birthplace of Habitat for Humanity), renowned Biblical scholar with a Ph.D. in New Testament Greek; and later - even more fully - by the spirit-filled Brethren of Sharon Orphanage and Schools at North Battleford, Saskatchewan in Canada, site of the great restoration outpouring of 1948, which still continues. In my youth I was also greatly influenced by the life and witness of the early Anabaptists (Mennonites, Hutterites, Amish) and Quakers, especially those who were ardent believers in the Great Reconciliation of All.
I testify with confidence that JESUS is THE Christ, the saviour of the world. HE is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. There is none other.
* "God will seek us - how long? Until He finds us. And when He's found the last little shriveling rebellious soul and has depopulated hell, then death will be swallowed up in victory, and Christ will turn over ALL things to the Father that He may be ALL in ALL. Then every tongue shall confess that JESUS CHRIST is LORD, to the glory of God the Father." from the writings of Clarence Jordan
Hear The Song, "Every Eye Will See Him"
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