Who Belongs In Hell?

Brian Zahnd

Oh, no, I’m not about to get into the hell of debating hell and who’s there! If you know the exact census of hell, good for you…I don’t. But I do want to share a quote from one of my favorite and most trusted theologians and spiritual guides — Hans Urs von Balthasar. That’s all. I hope you will think about it.

“Hell is to be contemplated strictly as a matter which concerns me alone. As part of the spiritual life it belongs behind the ‘closed door’ of my own room. From the standpoint of living faith, I cannot fundamentally believe in anyone’s damnation but my own; as far as my neighbor is concerned, the light of resurrection can never be so obscured that I would be allowed or obliged to stop hoping for him.”

—Hans Urs von Balthasar, Prayer, p. 302

BZ



(The artwork is Souls In Hell by Miki de Goodaboom)