The Dogma of Hell: Illustrated by Facts Taken From Profane and Sacred History

Does Hell really exist?How often the question has been asked. So many believe in the existence of Heaven and hope to go there when they die, but no one wants to dwell on the dogma of Hell. If there is Heaven, and there is also a Hell. If you believe in Christ you cannot ignore this terrifying truth, for as Fr. F.X. Schouppe declares in his opening paragraph:“We are sure of it as of the existence of God, the existence of the sun. Nothing, in fact, is more clearly revealed than the dogma of Hell, and Jesus Christ proclaims it as many as fifteen times in the Gospel.”Yes, many still laugh at or deny the existence of Hell. In answer to this, Fr. Schouppe in his opening chapter lays out all the questions and arguments against the existence of Hell put forward by the scoffers and answers them succinctly one by one to where it is plain to see a person has more to gain by believing in Hell than not. I shall try and paraphrase the questions and answers so as not to give the whole book away:1) “I do not believe in it” ~ You personal disbelief cannot and does not suddenly make Hell vanish. “Should a thief be so foolish as to deny that there is no prison? Would the prison thereby cease to exist if he did not believe in it? And would the thief not enter in to it?”2) “You say that the future life is a problem and Hell a 'perhaps'” ~ Fr. Schouppe argues this is futile proposition as Revelation has shown there is a Hell. And, for argument sake, let's say that the existence of Hell is only a 'perhaps' Fr. Schouppe declares “ … would he not be the silliest of men who, upon such a 'perhaps', should expose himself to the punishment of an everlasting fire?”3) “You say that no one returned from beyond the grave to tell us about Hell”. This is where Fr. Schouppe's book comes in – there have indeed been visitations from Hell and witness accounts recorded, which are given in the next chapters:Chapter II: The Manifestations of HellChapter III: Apparitions of the DamnedSince this book was published before some famous modern-day apparitions and revelations of Hell occurred, Tan Publishers have included the following accounts in the Appendix of this edition (ISBN: 978-0-89555-900-5):Appendix I: Sr. Josefa Menendez' Description of Hell. Sr. Josefa was a mystic who was favored with apparitions of Christ, Our Lady, and also had visions of the devil. She was also allowed to see and suffer the torments of Hell for the salvation of sinners, and she gives a very grim account of what she saw.Appendix II: The Children of Fatima see Hell. Famous apparition which occurred in 1917 in Fatima, Portugal. The vision terrified the children so much that they will willing to suffer whatever it took to save sinners from going there.Appendix III: The Parable of Dives and Lazarus – proof from Our Lord's mouth about the existence of Hell as told in this parable.The next chapters of the book feature salutary reflections on Hell:Chapter IV: The Denial of Hell is Foolish BravadoChapter V: The Awakening of the Ungodly Soul in HellChapter VI: Truth of HellChapter VII: Pains of HellChapter VIII: A Salutary Fear of HellChapter IX: The Thought of HellAfter seeing all of this, you might be tempted to think that the Catholic Church likes to 'fear-monger' believers into obedience, but on the contrary. I was surprised at how small the book was in comparison to his other book “Purgatory: Explained by the Lives and the Legends of the Saints” - in that he has more accounts and reflections on Purgatory than Hell. In fact, I found Fr. Schouppe's book on Purgatory much more chilling than Hell! (I also recommend it for your reading list.) The fact there seems to be fewer recorded accounts of apparitions from Hell is evidence that Heaven itself prefers not to reveal too much on that place of woe as God does not want us terrified into submission. It would be much better if we turned to Him with full confidence, love, and trust in His Mercy, but if the salutary fear of Hell will help keep us miserable sinners from ending up there for all Eternity, then God will send a few warnings, and according to this book by Fr. Schouppe, He has. Also, Heaven does not send as many apparitions from Hell because it is almost futile to do so … that the near lack of damned apparitions is almost frightening in its own right and actually is more successful in gaining our attention – the more apparitions, the less mankind pays attention. Also, the mortal sinner is aware deep in their own heart they have left the path and it is up to them to change. This 'fearful silence' on Hell is explained in the parable of Dives and Lazarus according to Appendix III of the book.The only thing I found disappointing on this edition of Fr. Schouppe's book on Hell is that Tan Publishers didn't include an account of St. John Bosco's famous dream of Hell. St. John Bosco had over 150 prophetic dreams about the foundation of his order and the spiritual state of the children he taught, and Hell was among the his dreams. Perhaps Tan Publishers decided not to include it as the dream was more allegorical in nature about the punishments and the means on which how to avoid Hell, but it is still terrifying all the same. If children could be so easily led down the path to Hell, what can we poor adults expect? It is a harrowing warning! You can read St. John Bosco's dream about Hell in the book “The Forty Dreams of St. John Bosco: From Saint Job Bosco's Biographical Memoirs”, also published by Tan. That book is also a must read.Despite its slender size, Fr. Schouppe's book “The Dogma of Hell” deserves the full five stars.E.A. Bucchianeri, Author

I highly recommend it. You could give this book as a present to anyone whom you think needs to be more fearful of God, in regard of not living as there is no afterlife. You won`t regret to read this book and to hand it in, to someone that you think, needs to read it, as soon as possible.

Easy to read, very hard to put down.

Had much self reflection as I read this book. I’m glad I read it.

This book contained a more realistic picture of Hell and dam nation. Its awakened my consciousness to what and does happen to the soul. I liked its candor.

Every person whether Catholic or not should read this book. After reading this book, a person should change their behavior for the good to do their best to stay out of hell. Not a place one would not even want to visit besides spending eternity there. Read read read the book!!!

The depth of the proofs that establish the fact that Hell is real. The people in hell have chosen to be there.

People need to get the hell scared out of them, literally. If heaven doesn't entice them enough, then this is a good back-up; it'll help get the reader on the right track.

I recommend this book as a cold shower to today's "lukewarm Catholic" and Christian. It discusses the outcome that comes from not staying in a state of grace. The first time you read it, you may get discouraged. However, a second reading of it will alert you to the necessity of change. Order it and listen to the message being given.

Ok

Excellent book!for those of us who do not believe in Hell...surprise,surprise...it does exists!!Giving examples from the past the authors show the reality of Hell, how does it affect people still living and witnessing some of its signs and simbols.Unfortunate souls condemned to eternal death warn us against diabolical pitfalls . It is scary to read but at the same time reassuring that by living humble and Godly life we can avoid eternal condemnation: God doesnt want us to suffer, on the contrary; if people would listen attentively to Him they would even avoid the Purgatory!The book costs peanuts,costs nothing to save our souls from Satan,the book in my view is essential,indispensable reading for everyone who wants to avoid eternal condemnation, pain,physical and spiritual and enjoy instead eternal love and happiness with God who is all LOVE.

A well-written book - ideal for anyone trying to connect (or reconnect) with a key aspect of Catholicism.

This book was very informative and give insights into what the Saints know about hell and how we can avoid going there.