<> Ask the Pastor The Rev'd Fr. Walter Snyder Q: Why didn't Paul preach about hell, in the way that Jonathan Edwards did and many today? I believe Paul was the greatest preacher that ever lived. Paul didn't shrink back from declaring the whole council of God. When King Agrippa said, "almost thou persuadest me to become a Christian," why didn't Paul tell him about an everlasting hell that was waiting for all those who would not believe? Do you feel that Paul didn't proclaim the full gospel? What would you say to King Agrippa that Paul failed to tell him? A: We don't know all that Paul preached, so whether or not he preached about hell in plain words, we'll never know. Perhaps with Agrippa, he didn't need to talk about hell, since the king was "so very familiar with all the Jewish customs and problems. (Acts 26:3)." Agrippa and Festus were trying to figure out why this one Jew was upsetting so much of the Jewish establishment. Paul was laying out the case that it was not he who was doing the upsetting, but God himself, by raising Christ from the dead. Festus thought that Paul was going insane, perhaps most of all because Paul was saying that one dead Jew--whom Paul claimed was now alive again-- was the enlightenment not only of Israel, but of the Gentiles, as well. Paul stated that the message was clear in Moses and the prophets. Evidently, Agrippa's knowledge of Judaism was such that Paul didn't have to go through the entire "Old Testament" to lay out the prophecies. Instead, he merely asked (26:27): "'King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you believe them!'" It was here that Agrippa replied (v. 28), "'You almost persuade me to be a Christian!'" This was the point of Paul's Apostolic ministry--to present the Word of God and the evidence of the Resurrection so that the Holy Spirit might work on the hearts of his hearers. Paul's desire was that "all those listening to me today (v.29)" would be the same as he, except for the chains he wore. Evidently, Agrippa didn't need to be hammered with the certainty of judgment and eternal punishment. He needed to hear the certainty that Jesus of Nazareth was the fulfillment of the Messianic promises of the Scriptures. There were other times when Paul warned of judgment. However, the punishment for those judged and found wanting was not spelled out. For instance, 2 Corinthians 5:10 says, "We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, each to receive what he deserves according to what he did with his body, whether good or evil." The first half of Romans 2 also speaks of the coming judgment, and that God will give "anger and fury to those who are selfish, and who disobey the truth, and who follow unrighteousness; sorrow and anguish for every human being who does evil, for the Jew first and also the Greek. (vv. 8-9)" I have read Edwards, and while he did preach on hell, he was not so fixated on it as many American Literature books would have us believe. I think that his "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" is often used not as much to show his literary skills as to stereotype the Puritans in New England as narrow-minded hate-mongers. Many of his sermons contain not more than a passing reference to eternal damnation. Some are beautifully lyrical and resound with forgiveness and peace. Like Paul (and like Christ) Edwards tried to tailor his message to his audience. A "people-pleasing pastor" will produce sermons that do not jar or overly challenge his listeners. A God-pleasing steward of Christ's mysteries will preach the whole counsel of God, according to the spiritual needs of his flock. Thus, the style and contents will vary among times, places, and audiences. Still, it will always come back to sin and grace, transgression and forgiveness, Law and Gospel. We don't know what else Paul or others had preached and taught to the audiences of his epistles. However, if they'd been instructed in the Word of God, they would know the Scriptures that spoke of eternal torment, such as in Isaiah 66:24. They would also be taught the words of Jesus as the accounts of his life and teaching spread. Thus, they wouldn't be ignorant of hell and Christ's return in judgment and Paul could bring it to mind merely by mentioning the reality of the Last Day. Paul doesn't dwell on it because no one is "scared" into heaven, or even out of hell. God's wrath at sin is always a stepping-stone for his mercy in Christ Jesus. The consequences of sinful behavior, both earthly and eternal, are shown to prepare his hearers for the message of reconciliation, peace, and canceled debts. That's it for now. You can submit questions by mail to "Ask the Pastor," PO Box 1080, Jasper, Texas, 75951; E-mail xrysostom@aol.com; or just stop me on the street. Walter Snyder is the pastor of St. Paul and Faith Lutheran Churches in Jasper and Woodville, Texas and coauthor of the book "What Do Lutherans Believe? A Study Guide in Christian Teachings for Adults." Copyright (c) 1998 by Walter P. Snyder Permission is granted by author to reproduce or retransmit this by any means, provided that its content is not altered, that this notice of copyright and permission is included, and that no financial gain is realized.