I attempt to answer that question in the latest 9Marks eJournal: Hell: Remembering the Awful Reality [PDF | HTML].

“Hellfire and Brimstone: Interpreting the New Testament’s Descriptions of Hell.” 9Marks eJournal 7:4 (September–October 2010): 16–19. [PDF | HTML]

Introduction:

The New Testament graphically and horrifically describes hell. And that raises a thorny question: How should we interpret those dreadful images? May we simply label them “metaphors” to soften their bite?

Outline:

1. How does the New Testament describe hell? [five ways]
2. How do people interpret the New Testament’s horrific descriptions of hell? [three ways]
3. How should we interpret the New Testament’s horrific descriptions of hell? [two of the three ways are plausible]

Conclusion:

We may disagree about some finer nuances of our literal and metaphorical interpretations of hell’s darkness, fire, and suffering, but we should agree that, at the very least, the New Testament teaches that hell is eternally miserable, terrifying, and painful. It’s certainly no better than being cast into literal “outer darkness” or being tormented with literal “fire and sulfur.”

More.

I just listened to “Preaching Christ in a Postmodern World,” a D.Min. course that Tim Keller and Ed Clowney co-taught at RTS about a decade ago. It’s 22.4 hours long, and it’s stimulating, especially the Q&A and the lectures by Keller.

• The 35 MP3s are available for free from iTunes U and The Gospel Coalition.
• And here’s a 189-page PDF of the course notes. (HT: Timmy Brister)

Related: “Tim Keller: Preaching to the Heart“

Biblia.com = Bible Study Online.

The president and CEO of Logos Bible Software explains:

• Biblia.com is “a super-simple Bible for the web that’s backed up by the incredible technology (and massive library!) of Logos Bible Software.”
• “Logos 4 users can access their library online, complete with synchronization of ‘last read’ position between Logos 4, the iPhone/iPad, and Biblia.com!”
• “With shared licenses between Logos Bible Software 4 for Mac, Windows, iPhone, iPad, Mobile Web, and Biblia.com, your content is available wherever you are.”

I just listened to a model discussion about this. It’s helpful on many levels.

The discussion took place on August 1, 2010,  at a Sunday evening gathering at our previous church, CrossWay Community Church in Kenosha, Wisconsin. CrossWay has also summarized it in a 10-page PDF.

It’s finally available (along with a nice giveaway).

Kevin DeYoung explains

1. why we rebuke (part 1)
2. when to rebuke (part 2)
3. how to rebuke (part 3)
4. how to receive rebuke (part 3)

Related:

1. Confrontation (how to rebuke)
2. Ken Sande, “Judging Others: The Danger of Playing God,” Parts 1 | 2 | 3

One short (144 pages)

Carl R. Trueman. Republocrat: Confessions of a Liberal Conservative. Phillipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian & Reformed, 2010.

(Sample pages, video interview, and endorsements here.)

One long (624 pages)

Wayne Grudem. Politics according to the Bible: A Comprehensive Resource for Understanding Modern Political Issues in Light of Scripture. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2010.

1. The July 2010 issue of Themelios came out today. It’s loaded (as usual).

2. It includes my review of the 87-volume Zondervan Reference Bundle.

Details at James Grant’s blog.

A good, convicting word from Dane Ortlund.

Here is what I contributed to Justin Taylor’s blog last week:

1. Academic Administration
2. Free Audiobook: Tim Keller’s Ministries of Mercy
3. Recommended Resources in Carson’s Leader’s Guide: Introduction | Chapters 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10–14
4. Interview with Simon Gathercole on the Gospel of Judas and the Gospel of Thomas
5. 2010 Resolved Conference
6. Interview with Desi Alexander on Biblical Theology
7. Interview with Chris Morgan on the Glory of God
8. Mike Bullmore on the Gospel and Pastoral Ministry
9. Interview with Stephen Dempster on Old Testament Theology
10. Jim Hamilton Reviews Sailhamer on the Pentateuch
11. Humorous Headlines
12. Advice for Busy People, Especially College Students
13. Interview with Peter O’Brien on the Letter to the Hebrews
14. Should pastors separate the Christian wedding ceremony from the civil rite?
15. Interview with Michael Lawrence on Biblical Theology and the Church
16. Do You Love Your Spouse?

Previous contributions:

1. early August 2008
2. late August 2008
3. August 2009

Three people recently interviewed me about Keswick theology, and MP3s are available for each interview:

1. A 55-minute interview on Kevin Boling‘s “Knowing the Truth” Radio Program broadcast live on July 22.
2. Aaron Blumer, publisher for Sharper Iron, interviewed me on the campus of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School on June 21, and he published a 32-minute interview on July 28 (part 1 | part 2).
3. John Starke, managing editor of TGC Reviews, led a phone interview on July 22, and he published a 17-minute interview today.

Radio interviews provide all sorts of opportunities for embarrassing bloopers. In this case I misspell Keswick by emphasizing the silent “w” and omitting the final “k”!

Here are a few pics from Kevin Boling’s interview:

Related: Let Go and Let God?

It’s been relatively quiet on this blog lately because my family is getting settled after a move. At the beginning of July, we  moved from Trinity’s campus in Deerfield, Illinois, to Moore, South Carolina (explanation here). Deerfield is a relatively posh Chicago suburb; Moore is a relatively quaint Southern community. And we’re enjoying the variety.

It might be even quieter over the next nine days because I’ll be guest-blogging with some other friends at Justin Taylor’s “Between Two Worlds.”

It’s now available.

Related post: “The God Who Is There“

I consider that hypothetical situation today on Kevin DeYoung’s blog to probe how we should confront others. What does gospel-centered confrontation look like?