The book includes a section of scripture studies which are useful for personal and group study and to equip preachers. Another position taken by some is the ultimate universal salvation of all humans into christ, providing a second chance after death. The purpose of hell know is to examine the holy scriptures to determine the precise nature of this second death and show through a detailed study that it refers to the souls literal everlasting destruction and not to eternal torment. Furthermore, the man who spoke the words also provided an illustration and it was not an illustration of annihilation but an illustration of eternal torment. Whichever side you are, it is important to note that the bible does support both views but only one view can be true. Aug 24, 2016 for many christians, hell with an eternal torment of burning fire seems to be unacceptable and incompatible with the nature of a merciful god.
If hell is not eternal, either through annihilation or reconciliation after judgment, then god would be unjust. I might imagine satans reply to us, you will not surely be tormented by fire forever, but you rather you will simply cease to exist. What does the bible really say about hellfire eternal. Some maintain that gods eternal punishment is annihilation or nonexistence. There are slight variations, but it essentially teaches god will eventually snuff every unbel.
Pastor corey mclaughlin april 8, 2015 september 23, 2015 comments off on if eternal conscious torment in hell is biblical then prove it francis chan tried and changed his mind, maybe you will too. The third position long held in the church is the eternal torment of the wicked. The cosmological implications of eternal torment a fourth and final reason for believing in the annihilation of the lost is the fact that eternal torment presupposes an eternal cosmic dualism. Jerry shepherd, who will argue for eternal conscious torment, and.
Jul 03, 2016 the seventh day adventist cult, along with others, teach that we have all wrongly interpreted the idea that hell is a place of eternal punishment. Before we explore about annihilation or eternal torment, we need to find what hell is. However, that does not necessarily mean that the author, when wri. Heaven and hell, happiness and pain, good and evil would continue to exist forever alongside each other. But the age to come lasts as long as the life of the eternal god himself. Is hell forever does the bible teach that hell will be. The bible does not teach eternal torment, only complete destruction.
Towards the problem of evil we can look to the book of job, in this book we see evil. The seventh day adventist cult, along with others, teach that we have all wrongly interpreted the idea that hell is a place of eternal punishment. And the claim that annihilation is the book would be a lie. If anything traditionalist use creative interpretations to support eternal torment. Jerry shepherd, who will argue for eternal conscious torment, and chris date, who will argue for annihilation. Annihilationism is the belief that those who are wicked will perish or be no more. On saturday, september 28th, 20, chris date and dr.
First, i want to thank terra nova publications for making david pawsons books available in ebook format. Jehovahs witnesses, christadelphians, seventhday adventists, herbert w. Instead, they teach annihilationism and total destruction of the body, soul, and spirit such that it no longer exists in eternity in any form, not even in hell. There are many scripture passages that seem to clearly teach this, but there are others that admittedly seem to teach the traditional view as well. If these first two points stand, eternal punishment should be translated as something like agetocome chastisement and therefore, matthew 25 could not be used to support the eternal, conscious torment view. Annihilationism is the view that whoever and whatever cannot be redeemed by god is ultimately put out of existence. Would a loving god torment you in hell fire forever. Apr 15, 2012 wed have to wonder why he didnt say, i give eternal life in heaven to them, and they will never suffer eternal torment in hell.
Readings in evangelical conditionalism kindle locations 968969. There are only two scriptures in the entire bible that even could be used for eternal torment. When the last book of the bible describes the flames of hell, it does. Apr 29, 2009 hell is either eternal or notthere is certainly no middle ground. Hell in the bible audio hell and how to be saved from it pdf the disturbing bible truth about eternal torment and no annihilation as with any point of doctrine, the issue of eternal torment for the wicked dead must be carefully sought out from the bible, final authority 2 tim. John stott on annihilationism emotionally, i find the concept of eternal conscious torment intolerable and do not understand how people can live with it without either cauterizing their feelings or cracking under the strain. Additionally, at least one of john wesleys recorded sermons are often reluctantly understood as implying annihilationism.
Eternal torment, not annihilation or soulsleep there are many passages of scripture that are clear that annihilationism, as taught by the watchtower society, seventhday adventism, and other cults, is false. The following is a study i have done to show why i feel that this is, in fact, the proper interpretation of the word of god. Ten foundational verses for eternal punishment in hell. The traditional view of hell is being challenged today not only on the basis of the language of destruction and the imagery of the consuming fire we find the bible but also for moral, judicial, and cosmological considerations. Eternal torment or annihilation church, belief, dogmas. The unsaved in hell would want to be annihilated to end. The unrighteous person is annihilated, never to exist again, forever. The hell debate annihilationism a consideration of annihilationism. Oct 15, 2016 the fire and burning within scripture are simply representing annihilation or eternal destruction. Fernandes argued that justice demands that we deserve the ultimate punishment. Is hell a place of eternal torment or will people cease to exist after a certain time. Eternal torment, annihilation or universal reconciliation.
While i am not completely convinced of this position, i think it is worthy of serious consideration. In coming to a conclusion, therefore, one must take this to heart and study all of gods word to find which model fits best with the overall thrust of scripture. However, the belief that hell is not eternal simply cannot stand up to scrutiny based on what the bible teaches. It seems there are scriptures that support both views, but for now, the important view i am taking is hell is real and it is a place of torment. It seems to me that nearly the entire bible teaches that eternal life is only experienced in heaven, that hell is a place of complete destruction and annihilation. I learned some new points that ive never heard, that hell is a final destination of torment that is still prepared and that most if not all of the sayings of jesus about hell are directed as. Hell is either eternal or notthere is certainly no middle ground.
These include jesuss description of hell in the parable of the rich man and lazarus as a. One view of hell that seems to be making a strong resurgence today among evangelicals is annihilationism. Phil fernandes debated chris date on the matter of hell. Various quotes used in research on annihilationism. Death by annihilation in the lake of fire could certainly be called eternal. As i stated in my previous post, im going to host a dialogue on the.
But our emotions are a fluctuating, unreliable guide to truth. Following is a compilation of many of the quotes that i assembled in my research on annihilationism. Sixth is an argument that an eternal hell would tarnish gods victory over. Of course, if only one point stands, matthew 25 cannot. Of course, if only one point stands, matthew 25 cannot be used to support the traditional view of hell. Therefore, there is no eternal torment in sheol gravedom, hades the equivalent of sheol hell english translation, gehenna symbol of destruction, or the lake of fire symbol of destruction. Conscious, eternal torment the first appearance of conscious unending torment in anything resembling biblical literature comes in the apocryphal book of judith 16. I learned some new points that ive never heard, that hell is a final destination of torment that is still prepared and that most if not all of. I learned some new points that ive never heard, that hell is a final destination of torment. Eternal fire, see morey, edershiem and others is a rabbinic metaphor for the ultimate end of satan and his angels, and viewed as eternal punishing, it became a metaphor for eternal punishment torture torment. Some denominations support the idea of annihilation, but what does the bible actually say about this. Phil fernandes debated the proposition, the punishment of hell will be annihilation. So if hell is a place of torment, and it ends in annihilation, then how long will the torment last. If eternal conscious torment in hell is biblical then.
Stott pleads for a frank dialogue on the subject among evangelicals, again on the basis of scripture. In defense of the eternal conscious torment view of hell. Jun 14, 2017 because god is infinitely worthy, honorable, and righteous, when a person sins against god, no matter how small we think the sin is, the crime is against the infinite god, so for the punishment to fit the crime, hell must be eternal. Thus eternal hell is a place where people will weep and gnash their teeth, forever with no hope of relief or escape, ever. For many christians, hell with an eternal torment of burning fire. Death, not torment in a fiery hell, is the penalty for sin. What i normally do when a research a topic is to go through their writings, search for topics, words, phrases, etc. One quote in particular stands out in arnobius second book of against the. As i stated in my previous post, im going to host a dialogue on the duration of hell between two able thinkers. It is true that in the new testament, eternal means agelong, with the context defining the age.
Its a legitimate challenge, but one everyone always seems to get really upset about when people start asking hard questions. In hell passages, it is claimed, eternal means only pertaining to the age to come and not everlasting. The following is a study i have done to show why i feel that this is, in. Oct 23, 2000 what is helleternal torment or annihilation.
The fire and burning within scripture are simply representing annihilation or eternal destruction. Jesus talks about the wicked in everlasting punishment and the righteous into eternal life. Eternal torment vs annihilation christian chat rooms. And in texts treating eternal destinies, eternal does refer to the age to come. But luke on the other hand mentions the same spoken words of jesus a bit different, which supports eternal torment where sinners are cast into hell after being killed.
Eternal helltorment has been the semiofficial position of the church since. I give eternal life in heaven to them, and they will never suffer eternal torment in hell. Chris date and phil fernandes debate hell hd youtube. The first evidence for annihilation is from the book of matthew where god will destroy both soul and body in hell. So when you and i answer satan back on this question of eternal hell fire, by saying, yes, the lord has told us that the punishment of hell fire is forever and ever. Undying worm, unquenchable fire christianity today. Here the punishmentn covers the various actions, not the result. Sentient beings do not suffer eternally, as the traditional view of hell teaches. Is hell forever does the bible teach that hell will be annihilation or eternal torment. The same identical word is used for both everlasting and eternal. The bible is very emphatic that there is an eternal and literal heaven and hell. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read the road to hell.
Hell eternal torment or complete annihilation support can be found through the holy scriptures to back up the case for eternal torture as well as the case for annihilation in hell. The first evidence for annihilation is from the book of matthew where god will. Scripture declares that god will be victorious in the end. Jerry shepherd, who will argue for eternal conscious torment, and chris date, who.
Sixth is an argument that an eternal hell would tarnish gods victory over evil. Yes, the bible does clearly teach that the lost will be tormented in hell for all of eternity. Is hell a place of annihilation where the only really wicked are destroyed by god, erased and cease to exist. Assurance of eternal torment for the lost matthew mcgee. Because god is infinitely worthy, honorable, and righteous, when a person sins against god, no matter how small we think the sin is, the crime is against the infinite god, so for the punishment to fit the crime, hell must be eternal.
The rest of christians believe hell as an eternal place of torment. The author affirms the reality of death and eternal punishment and. Thus a belief in eternal torment by those who claim to believe what this old book says is not unreasonable. Those who hold to inerrancy would argue that the bible ultimately only teaches one doctrine of final judgment. A look at the evangelical alliances the nature of hell. Is hell a place of eternal torment or will nonchristians. What does the bible really say about hellfire eternal torment. This is eternal damnation with no hope of resurrection. Is hell a place of eternal torment or death by annihilation. Aug 20, 2016 yes, the bible does clearly teach that the lost will be tormented in hell for all of eternity. Mar 09, 2016 those who hold to inerrancy would argue that the bible ultimately only teaches one doctrine of final judgment. Some have argued for a conditional immortality or annihilation of the unsaved.
Hence, the bible teaches that hell is a place of eternal conscious sufferingannihilation of the lost is not biblical. Complete discussion of hell as a place of final destruction for unbelievers. Just as sodom and gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire. Eternal hell torment has been the semiofficial position of the church since approximately the sixth century, according to pinnock. There was a time when i assumed that any serious bible student understood and accepted that there will be literal eternal punishment in the lake of fire for the lost. Eternal torment is so deeply ingrained in peoples minds that if the unsaved are destroyed in hell, they will not suffer as much as if eternal torment is true becomes if the unsaved are destroyed in hell, then annihilation is a gift, not a punishment. This is not incompatible, however, with their final annihilation. After a great deal of research and reflection, i have come to believe very strongly in the unconventional doctrine of annihilation in hell. Phil fernandes is an apologist, pastor, and professor of philosophy and apologetics, who has written many books, such as hijacking the historical jesus. Hell is the geenna meaning, valley of the son of hinnom.
I recently read in a major news magazine that this teaching of hell as eternal torture has all but disappeared from the pulpit ministry in both mainline and evangelical churches. Cascade books, an imprint of wipf and stock publishers. I wish they would not have to suffer eternal torment. There are some christian groups and many cults that deny the idea that hell, in the general sense, means eternal, conscious punishment. The lord is not slow about his promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish apollumi but for all to come to repentance 2 pet. Apr 09, 2016 eternal torment is so deeply ingrained in peoples minds that if the unsaved are destroyed in hell, they will not suffer as much as if eternal torment is true becomes if the unsaved are destroyed in hell, then annihilation is a gift, not a punishment. Fernandes supported the traditional view in which hell is understood to be eternal conscious torment. However, he went on to state his belief that scripture points in the direction of annihilation, and that eternal conscious torment is a tradition which has to yield to the supreme authority of scripture. If the soul is destroyed, then the sinner is annihilated. A fourth and final reason for believing in the annihilation of the lost is the fact that eternal torment presupposes an eternal cosmic dualism. But in my heart the greatest loss is not spending eternity with my lord and my god.
762 5 1358 744 1145 1066 927 1407 765 1357 1215 35 1345 662 1376 1005 429 480 964 1064 1178 779 852 181 826 1025 1216 780 356 651 672 1259 53 363 757 1348 748 1013 1322 930