Church Fathers who speak of a metaphorical view of Hell

[Holy-Fool-P-Zombie]

In a Roman Catholic forum at forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=934212, someone said this:

I know certain Church Fathers speak of a metaphorical view of Hell…

And someone asked me this very same question.

Any of the Christian historians here have any ideas, about which Church Fathers spoke of a metaphorical view of Hell? And perhaps give a reference link or links?

It will save me, a bit of research.

Of course, a metaphorical view could also be seen, in any universalism, postmortem refinement process.

[anon47460357]

Holy Fool, by “a metaphorical view of Hell”, do you mean “a view of Hell that does not include literal fires”?

I cannot imagine any of the eastern Church Fathers believing in literal fires.

[Holy-Fool-P-Zombie]

Holy Fool, by “a metaphorical view of Hell”, do you mean “a view of Hell that does not include literal fires”?

I cannot imagine any of the eastern Church Fathers believing in literal fires.

Yes, that is correct, Geoffrey.

a view of Hell that does not include literal fires"

What surprised me is that the “Calvinism in Disguise” site - Got Questions at:

Is hell literally a place of fire and brimstone?

Is talking about a symbolic, allegorical or metaphorical view of hell. Let me briefly quote, part of their answer:

The very variety of hell’s descriptors argues against applying a literal interpretation of any particular one. For instance, hell’s literal fire could emit no light, since hell would be literally dark. Its fire could not consume its literal fuel (persons!) since their torment is non-ending. Additionally, the gradation of punishments within hell also confounds literalness. Does hell’s fire burn Hitler more fiercely than an honest pagan? Does he fall more rapidly in the abyss than another? Is it darker for Hitler? Does he wail and gnash more loudly or more continually than the other? The variety and symbolic nature of descriptors do not lessen hell, however—just the opposite, in fact. Their combined effect describes a hell that is worse than death, darker than darkness, and deeper than any abyss. Hell is a place with more wailing and gnashing of teeth than any single descriptor could ever portray. Its symbolic descriptors bring us to a place beyond the limits of our language—to a place far worse than we could ever imagine.

So who originated the fire and brimstone model - in church history? That’s as important a question, as to whom - among the church fathers - supported a metaphorical view of hell.

[anon47460357]

So who originated the fire and brimstone model - in church history?

I would guess Tertullian, or the Apocalypse of Peter.

(BTW, I read that Tertullian has a unique Latin style. Supposedly, once one developes a taste for Tertullian’s Latin prose, all other Latin authors will seem rather thin. I would love to ask Reginald Foster his opinion on this.)

[Kyle]

Holy Fool, by “a metaphorical view of Hell”, do you mean “a view of Hell that does not include literal fires”?

I cannot imagine any

of the eastern Church Fathers believing in literal fires.

Yes, that is correct, Geoffrey.

a view of Hell that does not include literal fires"

What surprised me is that the “Calvinism in Disguise” site - Got Questions at:

Is hell literally a place of fire and brimstone?

Is talking about a symbolic, allegorical or metaphorical view of hell. Let me briefly quote, part of their answer:

The very variety of hell’s descriptors argues against applying a literal interpretation of any particular one. For instance, hell’s literal fire could emit no light, since hell would be literally dark. Its fire could not consume its literal fuel (persons!) since their torment is non-ending. Additionally, the gradation of punishments within hell also confounds literalness. Does hell’s fire burn Hitler more fiercely than an honest pagan? Does he fall more rapidly in the abyss than another? Is it darker for Hitler? Does he wail and gnash more loudly or more continually than the other? The variety and symbolic nature of descriptors do not lessen hell, however—just the opposite, in fact. Their combined effect describes a hell that is worse than death, darker than darkness, and deeper than any abyss. Hell is a place with more wailing and gnashing of teeth than any single descriptor could ever portray. Its symbolic descriptors bring us to a place beyond the limits of our language—to a place far worse than we could ever imagine.

So who originated the fire and brimstone model - in church history? That’s as important a question, as to whom - among the church fathers - supported a metaphorical view of hell.

Why do you quote that site?

[Holy-Fool-P-Zombie]

Why do you quote that site?

Because while they (i.e Got Questions) are Calvinists, they do look at a metaphorical view of hell. Which is something that some Protestant fundamentalists do not. And they also answer many biblical questions. And for some questions raised, their answers are a good starting point. I like their answering of various theological questions, even though I don’t always agree with them. But on this one, I do agree that all Biblical passages regarding hell - however we view it - are metaphorical.

[Cindy_Skillman]

Before I came to this site I didn’t even know what a Calvinist WAS, nor that I (as I was raised Methodist) was an Arminian.
(Now of course, I’m both. ) So, in case…if you don’t know, Kyle, do ask.