Fire and Brimstone Preaching

Fire and Brimstone Preaching

A blast from the past when preachers on every corner were ushering people to the coming punishment of God’s wrath.  Repent, they would say, repent or you will taste the endless fires of hell.   

Where may we find New Testament verses relating to this?  “Thus it will be at the end of the age.  The angels will go out and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.”  (Mt 13:49 - 50).

“If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away.  It is better for you to enter into life maimed or crippled  than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into eternal fire.  And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away.  It is better for you to enter into life with one eye  than with two eyes to be thrown into fiery Gehenna.”  (Mt 18: 8 - 9).

The rich man and the beggar Lazarus;  “When the poor man died, he was carried to the bosom of Abraham.  The rich man also died and was buried, and from the netherworld, where he was in torment, he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side.  And he cried out, Father Abraham, have pity on me.  Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering torment in these flames.  Abraham replied, My child, remember that you received what was good during your lifetime while Lazarus likewise received what was bad; but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented.”  (Lk 16: 22 - 25).

Taking a very long look at the different passages from just two evangelists the warnings by on the street prophets is not a past fear method calling sinners to repent.  It never was a call to satisfy a few who seemed to go overboard in trying to convince sinners to come home.  

Somewhere I wrote about my early years of praying at three AM and one night heard the most blood-chilling scream from where I thought it was outside my home.  Getting up to look expecting to see what I thought to be a woman in dire need.  I discovered the street was empty, and the air was serene.  Returning to my prayers a voice related to me that 3 AM is when most evil occurs, and the scream came from the depths of hell.  I have never forgotten that scream.

Fire and Brimstone fit a time when it was appropriate.  Is it the same now?  You be the judge where anarchy is running wild in our streets, children shooting children, just like the days of the 20’s when Chicago was the center for Mafia and adult gangs ruling the city with anarchy unseen now.  Whoops, the new gangs in most major cities are even worse than those of the 20’s.  We raised them!  Do we need some street corner preaching warning those who will listen with the actual existence of hell, the devil, and demonic possession of souls just going their way without God?  Bring Jesus Christ back into our lives and trust his presence in this time of need.

Preaching today must include some warning that without adherence to seek forgiveness is not a suggestion; it is a necessity for everyone.  Catholics are blessed to have the Sacrament of Reconciliation available especially since the Church is open and we have priests who are just waiting for penitents to come home.

Ralph B. Hathaway