This is an interesting book. It's called Beyond Death's Door, written by a Dr. Maurice Rawlings. Seems Dr. Rawlings was some atheist until a study of near-death experiences, prompted while resuscitating a man, convinced himself that there was indeed a Hell. Has anyone ever read this?

-- Luke Juarez (hubertdorm@yahoo.com), September 29, 2004

Answers

Not me, Luke. Any particular cases that struck you as trustworthy?

-- Elpidio Gonzalez (egonval@yahoo.com), September 29, 2004.

Some interesting bittids:

I am thoroughly convinced that there is a life after death and that there are at least as many going to hell as going to heaven.

Each time the patient regained heartbeat and respiration, the patient screemed, 'I am in Hell!' He was terrified and pleaded with me to help him. I was scared to death.

About 50% of the revived persons told of having gone to a place of great darkness filled with grotesque moaning and writhing bodies crying out to be rescued from this place with overwhelming feelings of eeriness and nighmarish terror.

-- Luke Juarez (hubertdorm@yahoo.com), September 29, 2004.

Yes Luke, I have read this book! I skipped the confusing science stuff though :-/

It is very compelling and insightful into the next life. I thought it interesting that every account of suicide in the book resulted in the person going to hell. But obviously since they lived to tell about it, they were given a chance to return. I do believe that God will have mercy and understand someone's condition if the suicide is not done with full consent or knowledge (ie. mental illness, extreme depression, etc.) I cannot really judge anyone's state before God, but the best thing to do IMO is to pray that those poor souls have a chance at heaven, that in God's mercy they were in a state of grace at death.

Also, Dwight Moody's testimony in the book was a small part of the evidence that convinced me that invincible ignorance must be true, at least from a Catholic perspective, since he was not Catholic and yet described a vision of heaven, or at least some type of light and positive experience.

That is a great book, though. I also found it fascinating that Rawlings' reversion to the faith was a result of this experience with the man on his deathbed, along with the investigation he did. I recommended this book to Laurent, but he said he can't read books, only on screen. Do you know if it's online anywhere?

-- Emily ("jesusfollower7@yahoo.com), September 29, 2004.

Suicide is a topic all to it's own (we have one i think here). To answer your last question first, I don't know. I'm sure there are places to buy it online (not much help i know). Perhaps a book on tape would work? Do books like this even make it that far? I don't know again. I wonder though if the experiences of the patients studied (and those not) are chemically or environmentally caused, not spiritually. I don't know if Rawlings addressed that or not, I just finished the book but like you said, confusing science in places.

-- Luke Juarez (hubertdorm@yahoo.com), September 29, 2004.

About 50% of the revived persons told of having gone to a place of great darkness filled with grotesque moaning and writhing bodies crying out to be rescued from this place with overwhelming feelings of eeriness and nighmarish terror.

Luke, my brother had a similar dream in 1994. Hell was a place of darkness. He was told not to discuss it. It seems is a place of darkness and not one of fire!!!

The Christian Yahwist

-- Elpidio Gonzalez (egonval@yahoo.com), September 29, 2004.

I believe darkness is used in the bible to describe Hell. Our state of sin before salvation is described as a dungeon of darkness--or that we wait in darkness until the glory of the Lord. There are numerous times that the grave or Sheol (sp?) is described as darkness. When Jesus returns, the stars fall, the sun and moon are covered, presenting the earth in a "cloud" of darkness. In fact the day itself is refered to as a day of darkness.

-- Luke Juarez (hubertdorm@yahoo.com), September 29, 2004.

Oh here it is, from Matthew (i know not your fav, but bear with me), different verses in which i believe Jesus is describing the lake of fire:

Matthew 8:12 But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Matthew 22:13 Then the king told the attendants, "Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

Matthew 25:30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

-- Luke Juarez (hubertdorm@yahoo.com), September 29, 2004.

But,

we are told that no one can return from Hell to warn us of our fate. So, how can theses "events" be consistent with Scriptures???

.......

-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), December 03, 2004.

At last, someone that also believes Hell is a place of Darkness and not of fire, Luke.

The Christian Yahwist

-- Elpidio Gonzalez (egonval@yahoo.com), December 03, 2004.

Hell as "darkness" refers to total separation from God, Who is the Light. Hell as "fire" refers to the intense pain that results from such separation. Therefore, both images apply.

-- Paul M. (PaulCyp@cox.net), December 03, 2004.

Yeah, you know there are some people that say, "you create your own hell on earth." Well in all honesty, If i ever go to hell, which i doubt, because by that time my brain would be transplanted in my new cloned body, its going to be a blast my friend.

-- Jason Van Der Rooyen Bergkop (fuzzylogics2003@yahoo.com), February 09, 2005.

What an interesting topic, "hell". Has anyone seen it, tasted it, smelled it, heard it, or even touched it. I think im currently living in some kind of division of hell. Life must be a good preparation for this place called hell. If Hell really excist, and its worse then life on earth, we all should be very scared. Terrified infact. Some find life quite easy and pleasing, some even enjoy this funny little cycle of events and pleasures that occurs. what if you dream of an excistence that holds so much more secrets and pleasures that the one we living in now. What purpose is this life then. what if you have seen something better. I wish i could cancel this life subscription and take out the one i know is somewhere amount the mist thoughts of mind. Just a thought, use it....loose it.

-- Jason Van Rooyen Bergkop (fuzzylogics2003@yahoo.com), February 09, 2005.

"Well in all honesty, If i ever go to hell, which i doubt, because by that time my brain would be transplanted in my new cloned body, its going to be a blast my friend. "

Hey, I thought I would pass along this bit of trivia. The brain doesn't last forever; it dies, eventually. Have a good day.

.............

-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), February 09, 2005.

Yeah, you know there are some people that say, "you create your own hell on earth." Well in all honesty, If i ever go to hell, which i doubt, because by that time my brain would be transplanted in my new cloned body, its going to be a blast my friend.

You thin eternal torment will be a blast? And dotn get your hopes up on the " New bodt" idea, I odnt think it will be indefinite even if it ever happens...

What an interesting topic, "hell". Has anyone seen it, tasted it, smelled it, heard it, or even touched it.

Yes. That is thde point of this thread. Peopel ahve reported Hell's existance.

I think im currently living in some kind of division of hell. Life must be a good preparation for this place called hell.

Life is a testing ground and a elarngin centre, the wide learn the lessons of life and enter Heaven, the foolish learn only folly and derision, and enter Hell.

If Hell really excist, and its worse then life on earth, we all should be very scared. Terrified infact.

Tos of the Lord fear not this place, for we are spred it throgh his Grace.

Some find life quite easy and pleasing, some even enjoy this funny little cycle of events and pleasures that occurs.

True, and solomon adivses this approach...

what if you dream of an excistence that holds so much more secrets and pleasures that the one we living in now. What purpose is this life then.

To leanf needed lessons. Think of this life as school for our souls...

what if you have seen something better. I wish i could cancel this life subscription and take out the one i know is somewhere amount the mist thoughts of mind. Just a thought, use it....loose it.

Not a very deep thinker, are you?

-- ZAROVE (ZAROFF3@JUNO.COM), February 09, 2005.

Heard a man say something that was so true, and I'll paraphrase...

If you have hope in the eternity of God, Earth is the closest you'll ever get to Hell. But if you do not share in this hope, Earth is the closest you'll ever get to Heaven.

-- Luke Juarez (hubertdorm@yahoo.com), February 09, 2005.

You're not married, right Luke? Oh, oops, my wife just walked in....I got to run.

Just kidding, of course.

Marriage can be a trip sometimes.

...........

-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), February 09, 2005.

Readers,

Unfortunately this forum closed due to maintence problems with the server.

If you are interested in continuing a discussion, you can go to this board:

http://p221.ezboard.com/bthechristianforum

The Christian Forum

Or try our URL Forwarder www.bluespun.com

www.Bluespun.com

This was our back up board, but now we all relocated here.

Hope to see you there! All links lead to the same place!

-- David Ortiz (cyberpunk1986@gmail.com), November 28, 2005.

Not married. The good news for those in marriage is that they only have to put up with each other until death. No marriage in Heaven. However, Jesus never said there isn't marriage in Hell.

Something to think about...

-- Luke Juarez (hubertdorm@yahoo.com), February 09, 2005.