Religion and Theology

The general idea and concept of Hell mainly encompasses a despicable place with flames where wicked and evil souls spend the rest of eternity in torment.  These views of the ever damned place are most likely derived from religious beliefs and old-school dogma from early teachings.  Conversely, the term Hell employing an idiomatic approach is commonly used as an expression for circumstances in which terrible pain, agony, or other horrid and vicious possible consequences may take place.  Therefore, the experiences of suffering, anguish, pain, and plague are often interchanged with the term hell.  The human integrations for the term thereby eliminate any universal or objective definition andor description of hell.  The book, Four Views on Hell highlights several interpretations of hell from the scholarly views of William Crockett, John Walvoord, Zachary Hayes, and Clark Pinnock. 

II. Brief Summary
The truth of the existence of Hell in most religious beliefs and practices is adhered to by most conformists however, most religions refuse to probe on how the process of eternal punishment is actually done. The book Four Views on Hell tackles the topic from several points of view apart from the scriptural accounts.  The author and contributors of the book primarily raise a controversial question to a delicate subject  How is hell to be understood  The book is written in such a manner which really prompts this big question and, this question in turn, branches out to spring up several other questions as well. 

The book initially emphasizes on how religious teachings avoid talking of matters that involve hell instead, preachers and interpreters only give unclear thoughts of how hell promises to make afterlife a punishment for those who opt to go astray.  Most individuals are disturbed by this concept since the thought of eternal torment does not connote very positive prospects.  Thus, the book in itself is an informative source of the several concepts governing hell. 
     
The book details four different perspectives of hell from four professors who are brave enough to tackle a subject in contrast to the typical perceptions discussed in religious doctrines.  It highlights how hell is perceived dependent on an individuals personally upheld beliefs.  The four perspectives that are presented reflect the personal views of the people behind the book are delivered in an informative and scholarly manner. 
   
The books title may stimulate satanic or demonic implications to most conservative Christians but the underlying motive of the book is still directed towards an analysis on the grounds of eternal punishment.  The theological approach of the book expounds on the traditional perspectives of hell while the perspectives explained are backed by the opinion of several theologians that tend to disagree with what the scriptures say.  It tells of how the concept of eternal punishment is explained throughout the bible with the etymology of the word hell. 
     
The book discusses the Old Testament and New Testament doctrines of hell throughout its four chapters in concise and thorough arguments.  In spite of the four separate views of the author and contributors, the book interactively discusses the issues of contradicting beliefs on hell with every contributor sharing reaction toward one anothers opinion.  Four Views on Hell gives the theological argument of hell using the biblical passages, both in the Old and the New Testaments, including the four canonical gospels that contain the words of Jesus Christ himself.  In all the perspectives presented, the Bible is authoritatively consulted and conformed to.   Overall, the book solely argues whether hell is eternal, metaphoric, conditional or purgatorial.  The book in itself ironically presents a topic that is usually avoided or characterized by impropriety. 

III. Critical interaction with authors work
In a strict sense, the book lives up to what it attempts to convey and the biggest contributor to this is the collaborative structure of the publication.  Crockett, Walvoord, Hayes, and Pinnock eliminate the typical narrow perspectives of hell in their respective arguments.  One of the important premises of theology is the biblical canon of hell and theologians for a long period of time have been studying its principles.  It is apparent that the writers attempted to connect the authenticity of the bibles content within the contrasting views of Christian sects and secular non-Christians as well.  It is quite plausible to imagine how a Muslim can be saved from damnation without the acceptance of Christs suffering and death.
   
It is quite lucid that human opinion is divided, but the books literal and metaphorical agonies of hell can scare an individual in any given day.  Though contextually similar to the literal perspective, Crocketts metaphorical aspect concurs to the explanation that the Bible should not be taken literally  nevertheless, the effects of a wicked life are as horrible as the literal interpretations of a place where fire and demons abound.  In contrast to the books metaphorical explanation, the prevalent and general argument that is only limited to literal and non-literal is more plausible to some individuals, and people still prefer alternatives rather than the scriptures provided.   The Literal or Orthodox view further argues that hell is a place of punishment that lasts forever meaning whoever is sent to hell will face a life of eternal and endless suffering.  Hell is further described in detail as a place that is very dark, and where the castigation is done on the physical, mental and emotional levels.  On the contrary, the Metaphorical view avers that suffering in hell is more symbolic and emotional rather than physical where the torment will also be everlasting but not physically agonizing.  In any case, the current progress of mindless conformity in the world can truthfully testify to the literal and metaphorical elucidations of the book.  Though easy to grasp, the literal and metaphorical view poses a challenge on the evangelical end.  This is because the literal and metaphorical views both imply Gods mutual resentment over evil-doers.  As such, the metaphorical and literal view has the probability of impeding the value of Christs suffering and death, thereby causing difficulty of preaching the gospel to a world gradually being secluded from Gods grace. 
     
The Roman Catholic Church meanwhile offers a rather less terrifying account of hell in the belief of purgatory, where souls who led wicked lives are cleansed in preparation to their entrance to Gods grace.  The concept of purgatory offers a ray of hope for those who feel are not upright enough to go to Heaven, but not that sinful to go to Hell.  Hayes here presents God as a forgiving God due to purgatorys offers for the redemption of the wicked souls.  However, the purgatorial approach may counter other biblical teachings such as God being just, who gives to the unrighteous the proper punishment in the afterlife.  In addition, purgatory, though considered by Hayes as a form of punishment, completely counters biblical doctrines of hell, particularly on the eternal implication of such punishment. 
     
Much can also be said about Pinnocks conditional view wherein hell and eternal punishment does not last for eternity and that eternal life is only for the righteous and noble. This perspective may agree with the description of God as a forgiving and merciful God, but the thought once again eliminates the preconceived notion of Gods justice, and His firm aversion toward the sinful and the impious.  Furthermore, Gods merciful nature is negated if the conditional view will be put into consideration.

In addition to these ideas, it is significant to point out the assertion that hell is necessary because not everyone will repent.  It is part of Cathecism or Catholic teachings that hell will be a place for those who are aware of evil and its works but will still take the wicked path.  In other words, since the teachings have been handed down to the Christians, it is not really certain who will actually follow the teachings since some will not be as keen on abiding by the Christian teachings.  Each person is given their entire life on Earth as an opportunity to repent and accept God hence, if they do not take advantage of this chance to make amends for their evil deeds, then it will definitely be in hell that the individual will go to.  This justifies the existence of Hell for the purpose of separating those who are diligent and adhere to the laws as against those who choose not to go along the path of righteousness.       
Four Views on Hell blatantly attempts to give four clear and concise definitions of hell with respect to the Bible that should govern the abilities of the human mind.  This literary piece begets a perception of hell that has been the center of debate among Christians and non-Christians.  Hell for most people revolves around damnation in an unimaginable place.  It is sometimes deemed as an experience that tends to bring human life in fear, disgust, and terror.  Regardless if the interpretations may vary, the thought of hell nonetheless concerns punishments for evil deeds committed.  It is also interesting to note that there punishment in hell is not homogenous but that in actuality there are degrees of punishment in hell, just as there are degrees of reward in heaven.  As such, this connotes that come Judgment Day, each mans deeds will be assessed according to the degree of his good deeds and offenses, and not be dumped together in either Heaven or Hell with all the other souls.     
     
In a similar note, Keith Wright tackles hell in a different perspective in The Hell Jesus Never Intended.  Though Wright explains how hell is feared by most Christians, it is only limited to the Christian point-of-view.  Wright only insinuates two sentiments about hell, contradictory to Four Views on Hell which has four separate and interactive interpretations. 
     
Wrights book gives an implication of how God punishes the wicked as stated in the scriptural doctrines of hell.  God in the Bible is described by numerous qualities that complement Him as The Omniscient being, and this is a point of concern since the torments of hell is a premise in the bible.  Wright religiously conforms to the Bibles descriptions of hell which is characterized by a lifetime of flames and demons, as opposed to what Hayes and Pinnock suggest. 

IV. Conclusion
Crockett and the scholars who contributed in the Four Views on Hell theoretically gave out their personal interpretations on the subject.  .The well-explained insights successfully convey the message to individuals from all walks of life, which is the point of this publication to begin with. 
The book gives more of enlightenment in the form of knowledge rather than strike terror andor fear on the readers, which is the usual reaction of most people.  A first glance at the book can somehow make a person -- particularly of conservative Christian practices -- see the book as blasphemic, but a closer look may strengthen ones faith as he or she may ask how God accepts the souls of the departed.  Human beings are prone to temptation, and subsequently to sin, but God is always ready to accept the repenting, Therefore, Four Views on Hell makes one think that humanity still has hope despite the sinful life.  Though it is really never explained how the depraved and corrupted will be made to pay for their transgressions.