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 23 Minutes in Hell? Yes. For the Author? No. Nov 20, 2009
First, let me say that, though I've read it, I do not own this book. I didn't want to pay for it, or give Bill Wiese any money. The man is either a lying charlatan or a mentally unstable individual. Let me also say that the book's title may be a better description of my reading experience than anything that happened to him. The man cannot write at all. If you don't believe in Hell anyway, and are looking for a work of fiction, turn elsewhere. This is garbage.
Now, on to the main review, which will focus on the warped theology rather than the quality(or lack of same) of the writing. The author claims that he was lying in bed one night, when suddenly, he was lifted up and dropped in a dark cell, where he was attacked by physical manifestations of evil and terror.
Then, he began to explore, and took a self-guided tour of the Inferno. After twenty-three minutes, he was carried out of the place by Jesus, who explained what had happened and told him to tell the world about the reality of "hell".
Truth be told, I don't know whether he's lying or simply delusional. However, the Bible says that "the dead know not anything."(Ecc 9:5) Dead people are conscious of nothing. Bill Wiese claims to believe the Bible, but obviously, if the dead are unconscious, they're not being tortured in hell.
Before I continue, I'm going to open myself up to a great deal of vehement criticism by laying my cards on the table and stating that I am a Christian Universalist. I believe that the word "all" in 1 Tim 4:10, 1 Cor 15:22, 1 Tim 2:4, Rom 11:32, Rev 5:13, etc. really means "all", everyone, the whole world, and that God has both the power and the desire to save all men, and so will do it.
The concept of "hell" comes from Greek mythology, imported into Christianity by the Roman Catholic Church. It has been strongly supported by another idea imported by Catholicism from Greek myth, and especially also from Platonism, the "immortal soul".
In truth, the Bible knows nothing of an "immortal soul". If you find the word "soul" in your Bible, it probably means either "life", "breath", or "person". See Gen 1:7, 35:18, etc.
The Bible also knows nothing of eternal punishment in "hell". "For ever", "eternal", and "everlasting" are usually mistranslations of words meaning "age-long" or "of the age/ages". See Jude 6 and Jonah 2:6 KJV.
Bill Wiese claims that Jonah was in "hell", according to the Bible, and that this substantiates his claim to have been there.(Jonah 2:2) The truth is, Jonah said he was in "Sheol". This is a Hebrew word meaning "the place of the dead" or "the grave", and many scholars believe that it comes from a root meaning "unseen" or "hidden". If so, this is probably what Jonah meant. Alternately, he could have been metaphorically speaking of himself as "in the grave", as if to say he was "as good as dead". In any case, there is no evidence that Jonah visited a place of fiery punishment for dead people. I would recommend that Mr. Wiese pick up a reasonable Bible translation or two and not rely blindly on the error-laden King James.
To say that the salvation God gives is limited by human choices, and cannot overcome a simple "no thanks" from a mortal, is close to blasphemy. It is also nonsense. Mankind is spiritually dead(Eph 2:1, 4:18). As such, he cannot choose God, or even say that Jesus is Lord, without the quickening of the Holy Spirit.(1 Cor 12:3) Faith is a gift of God(Eph 2:8), and those who don't have it don't have it either because they've abandoned it(these are erring brethren whom it is the job of the church to restore) or because God hasn't given it to them.
Since God wants everyone saved(1 Tim 2:4, 2 Pet 3:9), it stands to reason that all will eventually receive this gift of faith, and will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father(Rev 5:13). When they do, they will be saved(Rom 10:9). Tell, me, Mr. Wiese. Is it true that we are by nature spiritually dead? When Jesus stood at the tomb of Lazarus, did He say, "Let me show you the way out of this tomb, Lazarus?" Of course not. Did He say, "Lazarus, I will deliver you from this tomb, but not against your will. Please, ask Me into your heart so that I can resurrect you." NO! Did He say, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock."? No.(That appeal is directed to those who are already believers.) No, Christ said, "Lazarus, come forth." This was not a request. It was a command! Jesus didn't let Lazarus choose whether to be resurrected.(He never could have made that choice anyway; he was dead.) He resurrected him!
Jesus said to His disciples, "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you."(John 15:16) This has always been God's pattern. Ultimately, He will redeem everyone. But in the meantime, He chooses some to prepare them for their special role in the age to come.(Matt 20:16, 1 Cor 6:2-4, 1 Pet 2:9, Rom 8:17) I would like to challenge the Arminian to tell me why God had a chosen people in the Old Testament and not the New, for the above Scriptures seem to indicate that He had a chosen people in both.
In short, "23 Minutes in Hell" is a poorly written work of nonsense, by either a liar or a lunatic.(I will let you judge which.) It does not line up with the Scripture it claims to reinforce, and spreads the Terror Gospel which has plagued the church for 1500 years. It is, whether the author knows it or not, a work of blasphemy which impugns the character and sovereignty of God.
But, no doubt, despite the utter lack of Scriptural support for "hell", despite the overwhelming list of verses that indicate that God will redeem all mankind, most Christians will continue to fall for this nonsense. Why? Because, as we all know, "Hell sells".
--S. Starrett
0 of 1 found the following review helpful:
 Inspired to Share With All I know Nov 18, 2009
i could not put this book down. I am in bad health and not great eye sight. But could not quit reading. I am a Christian , but had never thought of Hell in such a grafic and scary term. I mean I knew it was a terrible place I did not want to go or want anyone else to go , but never imagined it was this terrible. This man is very humble and gives all accounts to what the Bible says. After having been to such a place , why on earth would he lie and take the chance of God's rebuke on his life. NO, I do belive his account, anyway he is not pointing to himself all through the book. He is pointing to Gods word and what it says.
This has really given me a greater burden to share The Gospel and to do it as often as I can and quickly. So many Bible prophecies are to this day ,coming to pass the Lord could return at any moment . We who are of Jesus must be ready and share while there is still time.
God Bless this man for writing this book.
1 of 3 found the following review helpful:
Beyond pathetic: Laughable Nov 14, 2009
This book should really be classified as a children's book. The only question I have is whether it belongs in the fairy tale category or ghost stories. The fact that an adult could produce such nonsense is pathetic, but even more pathetic is the fact that some people can take such things as these seriously:
"After seeing these grotesque and deformed creatures with their jagged scales, bumps and twisted limbs, smelling their putrid, rotting odors and seeing the thick, smoke-filled atmosphere, I longed for my life back."
Well Bill, thanks for the many laughs. I hope you never find your sanity back when you finally wake up from this dream. I do not know what you smoked or drank that night but hell, what a 23 minutes trip!!!
0 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Gollygeewillikers! Nov 13, 2009
This work serves as additional proof that Planet Earth is basically a gigantic, self-contained institution for the religiously insane.
I BELIEVE HIS DESCRIPTION OF HELL Nov 08, 2009
my idea of hell was too mild. i was spellbound when
i read the description of hell and i believe it is "the
true hell." this book made me search deep inside myself.
i experienced change, hell is more of a reality
now.
i waited 1 week after reading "23 minutes in hell"
to read "90 minutes in HEAVEN".
in heaven i will see my loved ones again and
be in the presence of God.
no way do i want to go to hell.
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