The most surprising book which I included in the Hellrazer’s Apocrypha has to be the Apocalypse of Peter. It contains vivid and gruesome depictions of the torments of Hell upon the damned. It may be the source of much of what people think they know about Hell.
This book is not an accepted part of the canon (list) of the Bible and yet its influence is surprisingly great.
It also contains an incident in which St Peter, in compassion for the sufferings of those in Hell, prays to the Lord for their release. It is presumed that his request was granted.
This incident forms the foundation for a doctrine that is prevalent in the thinking of the Church: that the compassion and intercession of the saints for those in Hell will eventually secure their release from punishment. It is not agree whether those souls would then simply cease to exist or whether they would join with the saints in Heaven – God’s presence.
This is not a satisfactory doctrine because it neglects the free will of those who were incarcerated in hell. They are not given a choice in the matter. They are simply acted upon by the will of the saints.
‘To be acted upon’ is a definition of suffering. If you do not choose an action by agreement then its imposition is suffering to you. You suffer/allow it. The saints do not have the right to cause suffering to those they pray for.
St. Augustine specifically objects to this notion. His arguements in this regard are contained in the appendix to my new book “The Hellrazer’s Apocrypha”. You can download it for free and read it there.
