Harrowing Visions of Hell

The following is an excerpt of an email sent from Art to Will on 24 June 2014.

You are often referencing how secular types are constantly being converted by Arthur.

An illustration of Dante's Inferno by Gustave Doré

At times, I have not quite grasped why that would happen. I mean, sure, we can make reference to his prodigious powers and the sweetness of his vision, but it seems somewhat irrational that hardened skeptics would come around to this message. I've been wondering if, in addition to the "Sweet World" visions, Arthur has also been given harrowing visions of Hell.

I've been reading Hell by Fr. F.X. Schouppe, SJ from time to time and it is filled with terrifying true stories of how the incredulous are converted after having seen a vision of Hell or of the damned. With all the talk of volcanos, the underworld, subterranean beasts, devils, etc. it makes sense that these visions might be occurring.

Plus, I spend a lot of time talking about Hell, especially on Farthington's voicemail.

This is one of the subjects that has largely disappeared from the modern Christian/Catholic imagination and discourse. And the modern psyche is paradoxically so open to the concept, as evidenced by our horror movies, which usually hinge on pretty traditional notions of guilt and punishment.

I also like the idea because it has been such a rich subject for artists and writers down through the years. Not sure if this is a good thing, but Hell seems so much more exciting artistically to everyone from Dante to Giotto to Bosch. I think it's good to spend some imaginative powers on Heaven, but Hell seems to be a more tried and true Catholic topic down through the ages.

And it seems that many modern profligates, skeptics, and atheists have experienced profound conversion due to such a vision.