Bill Wiese

Bill Wiese is the author of the 2006 book '23 Minutes in Hell.' In this personal account, Wiese recounts what he claims were supernatural experiences of hell that occurred in 1998. He describes these events as out-of-body visions, with one lasting approximately 23 minutes and another a mere 10 seconds. Wiese, a Christian since 1970, had not previously focused on the study of hell before these alleged encounters.

His book details a vision where he found himself in a confined, foul-smelling space with powerful, blasphemous creatures. He states he heard the cries of billions of people and encountered Jesus, who instructed him to convey the reality of hell to others. The experience concluded with him back in his living room, experiencing intense distress. Wiese has since embarked on speaking tours, primarily to Christian audiences, sharing his story and promoting the book.

According to Wiese's account in '23 Minutes in Hell,' his purported journeys to hell were experienced as out-of-body visions. On the night of November 22, 1998, he states he found himself transported to a hellish environment. He describes being in a cell-like space, approximately 15 feet high and 10 by 15 feet in area. Within this space, he encountered two formidable beasts, which he identified as personifications of evil and terror. These creatures, he claims, possessed immense strength, estimated to be a thousand times that of a human, and communicated in a language he perceived as blasphemous. Wiese also reported hearing the overwhelming screams of countless souls he believed to be damned.

During his alleged visitation to hell, Bill Wiese states that he encountered Jesus Christ. According to Wiese's narrative, Jesus instructed him to communicate a vital message to the world: that hell is a real place. Following this encounter and the entirety of his claimed experience, Wiese states he found himself back on the floor of his living room, overwhelmed by horror. This profound and terrifying experience formed the core of his book, which he felt compelled to share with others to warn them of the reality of hell.

'23 Minutes in Hell' achieved significant commercial success, appearing on The New York Times Best Seller list for paperback nonfiction. Wiese's account was embraced by some as a factual depiction of hell, with certain commentators urging readers to heed its message. However, the book also faced considerable criticism. Some reviewers, including those in Christian publications, reacted with skepticism or sarcasm, questioning the plausibility of Wiese's descriptions, particularly regarding the sensory details of hell. Others offered more severe critiques, with some suggesting Wiese's claims implied a flawed or tyrannical divine nature, while a student newspaper dismissed the book as 'nonsense' and its success as indicative of broader issues within religion.