In my second book (GOTD; WIP), Hell features quite prominently, along with death and other similar themes. Even though the book will be fiction, there is a core or underlying structure to it that reflects my Christian beliefs.
While I was reading my daily Bible today, I came across the story of Lazarus. Not the one you’re probably thinking of–this is the Lazarus who was very poor and brought to the city gates of a rich man, not the one raised from the dead. I thought the same at first, too.
The parable is simple in structure, but very jarring and deep. Its simplicity (as Mr. Carson points out below) can be misleading. I listened to the below sermon today while working, and found it absolutely amazing. I’ll be chewing on this for awhile, thinking about this parable as I continue writing my own book. Give it a listen if you’d like; he goes through the layers and presents everything (culture, history, context) in an understandable way.
Hope you’re all well and take care. Happy writing!
A.R. Clayton 