THE Church of England has at last decided to give them Hell. It follows considerable controversy over recent years, stoked in particular by remarks from the former Bishop of Durham.
Two years ago, the Rt Rev David Jenkins completely rejected the existence of Hell. The church's Doctrine Commission was asked to investigate. It now reports that Hell is indeed a reality and one which all believers face on Judgment Day.
But it rejects the traditional image of Hell - as exemplified in Dante's Inferno, Milton's Paradise Lost and Kit Kat ads. It is not a place of eternal torment in a flaming pit, where souls must be seen to suffer seriously for having had such a good time in this life. Rather is it a state of total non being. Nothingness. Annihilation. Such as follows a long night on the town, perhaps.
The commission's report runs counter to attempts by the Church of England to play Hell down. This was part of its policy of bringing an end to the old time religion of fear. But now it's back to damnation again.
Titled the Mystery of Salvation, the commission's report also warns: "No one can be compulsorily installed in Heaven. The possibility remains for each human being to make a final rejection of God. Final judgment therefore remains a reality."
Heaven, says the report, is not what it used to be either, it seems. It is not "eternal and static perfection" but an "everlasting participation in the life of God". God, however, remains Himself, thank God. Having examined feminist theology, the commission rejected the use of feminist pronouns when talking about Him - no "She" or "Her" stuff need apply.
The commission does acknowledge, however, that sin has been described from a male standpoint. Then maybe that's because most of those so describing have been men. Just like the prophets, the apostles - and the Church of England.
