Theological Glossary
Six Christian traditions define Hell below — each in its own words, paraphrased from its official documents. These are attributed positions, not assertions of fact.
The Catholic Church teaches that hell is the state of definitive self-exclusion from communion with God, chosen by those who die in mortal sin through their own free rejection of his love. It holds that this punishment is eternal, and that God predestines no one to hell.
Source: CCC 1033–1037 ↗
The Orthodox Church teaches that hell is the condition of those who finally refuse God's love — experiencing the same divine presence the saints enjoy as torment rather than joy. It holds that hell is eternal separation from God, entered by human choice, while leaving the ultimate fate of souls to God's mercy.
Lutherans teach that at Christ's return, the ungodly will be raised to eternal damnation and torment with the devil and his angels. They hold that hell is the just and everlasting consequence of unbelief, while firmly denying that God desires or decrees anyone's damnation.
Source: Augsburg Confession, Art. XVII; Formula of Concord, Solid Declaration XI ↗
The Reformed tradition teaches that the wicked, at the last judgment, will be cast into everlasting torments with the devil and his angels, as the just sentence of a holy God. It holds that hell is eternal and conscious punishment, proportioned to God's infinite justice.
Baptists teach that hell is the place of everlasting punishment prepared for the devil, his angels, and all who reject Christ. They hold that at the final judgment the unrighteous will be consigned to hell, the place of everlasting separation from God.
Source: BFM 2000, X; Matthew 25:41 ↗
Methodists teach that hell is the state of those who refuse God's will — a place for those who will not live in God's love, where, in C.S. Lewis's image, 'the doors are locked from the inside.' They hold that God intends all to come to the feast and forces no one, while human beings remain free to reject God's invitation.
See how the traditions compare on related topics: