Tag Archives: Ed Fudge

Surprised by Hell: Evangelism

I think the disproportionality of the traditional teaching of hell unconsciously hurts our evangelistic efforts. To teach Jesus, we feel the need to teach the need to be saved. From what? Well, from hell. But an everlasting hell of conscious … Continue reading

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Surprised by Hell: Thinking About Justice

The Mosaic idea of civil justice, that is, justice as administered by the government, was that the punishment should fit the crime — (Lev 24:19-21) If anyone injures his neighbor, whatever he has done must be done to him: 20 … Continue reading

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Surprised by Hell: Evaluating the Evidence (extended)

It helps, I think, to take a step back and try to absorb the evidence in the context of the scriptures and Christianity. We have two views: * The traditional view, at least as old as Tertullian (writing from 197 … Continue reading

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Surprised by Hell: J. I. Packer Rebuts, Part 2

Annihilationists respond with special pleading. Sometimes they urge that such references to continued distress as have been quoted refer only to the temporary experience of the lost before they are extinguished, but this is to beg the question by speculative … Continue reading

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Surprised by Hell: J. I. Packer Rebuts, Part 1

James I. Packer, a prominent evangelical scholar, challenges annihilationism on several grounds in his thoughtful article “Evangelical Annihilationism”. I insert relevant verses in full text here and there to make it easier for the reader to follow the discussion. He … Continue reading

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Surprised by Hell: The Patristics

When we come to the Patristics, we find that the earliest writers go in three directions. Origen taught a form of universalism. Tertullian taught everlasting torment. But perhaps the earliest of the preserved, uninspired writings teaches annihilation. The Didache 16:13-17 … Continue reading

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Surprised by Hell: The Old Testament

The Old Testament says very little about hell or the fate of the wicked. However, when the question is squarely addressed, the scriptures teach the utter destruction of the wicked. Consider Psalm 37 — (Psa 37) Of David. Do not … Continue reading

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Surprised by Hell: Degrees of Punishment

It’s been argued that God cannot destroy the damned as the Bible predicts degrees of punishment for the lost. (Mat 10:15) I tell you the truth, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment … Continue reading

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Surprised by Hell: Eternity

I think this is going to be our last word study. I just want to be sure that “eternal” doesn’t necessarily mean “everlasting,” as it’s so often translated. We need to quickly run through several of the verses speaking in … Continue reading

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Surprised by Hell: Eternal Fire

We continue our word study by looking at some of the many passages that speak of the damned being sent to the lake of fire, eternal fire, or the like. Fire (2 Pet 3:7) By the same word the present … Continue reading

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