August 1, 2009
Many Americans don't believe in hell, but what about pastors?
by Greg Garrison
Religion News Service
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Just when it seemed to have cooled off, the topic of hell is back on the front burner -- at least for pastors learning to preach about a topic most Americans would rather not talk about.
Only 59% of Americans believe in hell, compared with 74% who believe in heaven, according to the recent surveys from the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life.
"I think it's such a difficult and important biblical topic," said Kurt Selles, director of the Global Center at Samford University's Beeson Divinity School. "There's a big change that's taken place as far as evangelicals not wanting to be as exclusive."
At the recent annual Beeson Pastors School, Selles led two workshops to discuss "Whatever happened to hell?" He asked how many of the pastors had ever preached a sermon on hell. Nobody had, he said.
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