Religious expert Jared Brock has challenged common depictions of the Devil and Hell, arguing that much of what people believe about them is based on culture rather than scripture. According to Brock, the image of Satan as a red-skinned, horned figure with a pitchfork is not supported by the Bible. Instead, he describes Satan as a spiritual being, not omnipresent like God, but capable of appearing in attractive forms to tempt people into sin.
Brock also questions whether Hell is a physical place or a symbolic one. He points out that the Bible describes multiple locations associated with the afterlife, leading to uncertainty about what Hell actually is. “Are these physical? Are they spiritual? Are they forever? Are they for a limited period of time? And the answer to all of that is we just don’t know,” Brock explained.
He references passages from the Book of Revelation, which describe Satan being cast out of Heaven alongside his followers. However, he argues that mainstream depictions of Hell, where the Devil torments souls for eternity, may not be entirely accurate. Instead, biblical texts suggest that Satan himself is destined for destruction rather than ruling over the damned.
While Brock’s interpretation differs from traditional Christian beliefs, his analysis raises questions about how religious imagery has been shaped over time. Whether Hell is a literal place of fire or a state of separation from God, he believes the full truth remains unknown.
