Unbelievable? Eternal Torment or Final End? Rethinking Hell | Dan Paterson v Jordan Wood hosted by Vince Vitale
Sep 25, 2025
Dan Paterson, an Australian apologist and founder of Questioning Christianity, and Jordan Wood, a Catholic theologian and assistant professor, delve into the complexities of hell's nature. They debate eternal torment, conditional immortality, and universal reconciliation, revealing their personal journeys and theological nuances. Dan challenges universalism with exegetical arguments, while Jordan advocates for restorative interpretations of scripture. The conversation highlights the implications of hell theology for faith and mission, making for an engaging exploration of differing views.
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Three Broad Views On Hell
- Dan outlines three main Christian views on hell: eternal conscious torment, universal reconciliation, and annihilationism/conditional immortality.
- He frames the differences by what the fires of hell are meant to accomplish: retribution, remediation, or destruction.
Jordan's Path To Universalism
- Jordan describes being raised with a muted version of eternal conscious torment and later discovering Origen, which opened him to universalist ideas.
- His conversion to Catholicism and fatherhood further shaped his sympathy for universal reconciliation.
Dan's Theological Journey
- Dan recounts becoming a Christian at 18, studying theology, and researching hell for a master's thesis that initially defended traditionalism.
- Over years of study and ministry he shifted to conditional immortality after re-evaluating biblical texts.
