Tag Archives: eschatology

Surprised by Hell: Mortality and Immortality

As we continue our word studies, we next take on the verses dealing with immortality. Immortality One element of the conditionalist position is that immortality is not an inherent element of human life. Rather, immortality is something God gives to … Continue reading

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Surprised by Hell: Eternal Destruction

Although the Gospels speak of the fate of the lost in terms of Gehenna, the epistles use a very different vocabulary. They speak of “death” and “destruction.” We’ll consider here the references to destruction. And there are lots of references! … Continue reading

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Surprised by Hell: Gehenna

In the New Testament, every reference to “hell” in the English is a reference either to Hades, Tartarus, or Gehenna. Gehenna is used 12 times. It’s well known that Gehenna was the dump outside Jerusalem where trash was burned. And … Continue reading

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Surprised by Hell: Hades and Tartarus

Most of the time I agree with N. T. Wright. Sometimes I don’t. Sometimes I’m not sure. And I’m not sure about Wright’s views on hell. He dismisses the orthodox view of eternal, conscious torment but also dismisses the conditionalist … Continue reading

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Surprised by Hell: The Traditional-View Verses and Eternal Death

Obviously, 99.99% of the world’s Christians would not believe in an everlasting, conscious torment in hell unless there was some scriptural support, and indeed there is — (Mat 25:45-46) “He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did … Continue reading

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Surprised by Hell: Introduction

[This is a continuation and expansion of N. T. Wright’s Surprised by Hope. Wright says very little on hell, and what he says, I disagree with. So we’ll talk about it and move into Ed Fudge’s The Fire that Consumes. … Continue reading

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Surprised by Hope: Evangelism

[The Surprised by Hope series will continue during my hiatus, because I have to get ready for class Sunday, no matter how I feel.] In his chapter on mission, Wright makes several insightful comments on evangelism — The power of … Continue reading

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Surprised by Hope: The Resurrection, Mission & Kingdom

Wright cites as a central verse 1 Cor 15:58 — (1 Cor 15:58 ) Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor … Continue reading

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Surprised by Hope: “Salvation”

Most commentaries, heavily influenced by Luther and Calvin, speak of “salvation” as getting to go to heaven when we die. Modern churches often speak of making “Jesus your personal Savior,” as though Jesus could be owned personally. But, of course, … Continue reading

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Surprised by Hope: The Downpayment and Inheritance

And so we were talking about Surprised by Hope in class on Sunday and someone brought up the idea that the Holy Spirit is a “deposit.” For example — (2 Cor 1:21-22) Now it is God who makes both us … Continue reading

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