(Yes, strange picture. Has nothing to do with the book)
One of my very favorite books is Inferno by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle. It is a modernization and twist of the Italian classic by Dante Allegheri. I first read it in High School and was fascinated by the authors’ ideas on the purpose of life and eternity.
Dead science fiction writer Allen Carpenter wakes up to find himself in Hell. As an agnostic he was undecided about God and as a result his punishment is also undecided—he is essentially in solitary confinement inside of a bronze bottle. Only when he cries out, "For the love of God, get me out of here!" is he released by the enigmatic Benito, who offers to show him a way out of Hell. Although skeptical of both his rescuer and his perceptions, he agrees to come along. Following Dante’s lead, the authors take Carpenter steadily lower through Hell, visiting each level, meeting various people and witnessing and often experiencing their horrifying punishments.
As he journeys through these terrifying scenes he learns to forget himself. Finally, upon reaching the lowest limit of Hell his guide offers him the opportunity to leave and continue on to Purgatory. Carpenter refuses, telling his guide to go on instead and he will stay behind to carry on the work of rescuing lost souls.
What speaks to me is both Carpenter’s personal awakening to something greater than himself and his understanding of Hell’s purpose. For much of the book he is incensed at God’s boundless cruelty. At first his only explanation is that we are “at the hands of infinite power and infinite sadism.” But eventually he realizes that doesn’t describe his own experiences and at the end he finally recognizes the reason for all the suffering. In essence, it is overdone on purpose.
Norman Spinrad, in his introduction to the book, puts it this way, “[You escape Hell] by accepting moral responsibility not merely for your past actions but even for the fate of your fellows in a manifestly unjust universe.”
Benito’s role is critical, because no one gets out of Hell alone. A savior is necessary. To me this is the essential genius of Christianity. It recognizes that we are all in this together and we can’t be saved alone. We need help. Christ is the Savior, but as much as we let go of our pride and reach out to each other, we act in that same role in our own small but significant ways. This is why we belong to a church, not only to be ministered to but to minister to others as well. As we become more Christ like in our actions we are no longer bound by Hell, and our escape is assured.
Dead science fiction writer Allen Carpenter wakes up to find himself in Hell. As an agnostic he was undecided about God and as a result his punishment is also undecided—he is essentially in solitary confinement inside of a bronze bottle. Only when he cries out, "For the love of God, get me out of here!" is he released by the enigmatic Benito, who offers to show him a way out of Hell. Although skeptical of both his rescuer and his perceptions, he agrees to come along. Following Dante’s lead, the authors take Carpenter steadily lower through Hell, visiting each level, meeting various people and witnessing and often experiencing their horrifying punishments.
As he journeys through these terrifying scenes he learns to forget himself. Finally, upon reaching the lowest limit of Hell his guide offers him the opportunity to leave and continue on to Purgatory. Carpenter refuses, telling his guide to go on instead and he will stay behind to carry on the work of rescuing lost souls.
What speaks to me is both Carpenter’s personal awakening to something greater than himself and his understanding of Hell’s purpose. For much of the book he is incensed at God’s boundless cruelty. At first his only explanation is that we are “at the hands of infinite power and infinite sadism.” But eventually he realizes that doesn’t describe his own experiences and at the end he finally recognizes the reason for all the suffering. In essence, it is overdone on purpose.
“There's only one possible excuse for Hell. . . . It has to be the final training ground. If nothing can get a soul into Heaven in its life, there's still Hell, God's last attempt to get his attention. Like a catatonic in a hotbox, like me in that bottle, if Hell won’t make a man yell for help, then it was still worth a try.”
Norman Spinrad, in his introduction to the book, puts it this way, “[You escape Hell] by accepting moral responsibility not merely for your past actions but even for the fate of your fellows in a manifestly unjust universe.”
Benito’s role is critical, because no one gets out of Hell alone. A savior is necessary. To me this is the essential genius of Christianity. It recognizes that we are all in this together and we can’t be saved alone. We need help. Christ is the Savior, but as much as we let go of our pride and reach out to each other, we act in that same role in our own small but significant ways. This is why we belong to a church, not only to be ministered to but to minister to others as well. As we become more Christ like in our actions we are no longer bound by Hell, and our escape is assured.
1 comment:
Definitely profound.
I like that viewpoint of Hell- "If nothing can get a soul into Heaven in its life, there's still Hell"
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