In this episode, I briefly discuss why I used to hold to the eternal conscious torment view of hell but have come to believe that the annihilation view of hell is the most biblical. You don’t need to agree with me! But, if you claim to be a Christian, you do need to make sure your view of hell is based on Scripture and not just your church’s doctrinal statement or your tradition.
Most people assume that “hell” means “eternal conscious torment forever and ever.” But the doctrine of hell has actually been widely disputed throughout church history. There are actually three quite different understandings of hell that have been believed and taught in the historic, orthodox Christian church: eternal conscious torment, annihilation, and ultimate reconciliation.
Questions Covered in Today’s show:
-Why has most church fathers and theologians held to eternal conscious torment?
-What about the parable in Luke 16 where the rich man was suffering “in torment”?
-What about Revelation 20:10-15, where it explicitly says that the devil, the beast, and the false prophet are being tormented “forever and ever”?
-Does Genesis 2 really imply that humans are not immortal?
-Aren’t the Old Testament passages about judgment thinking of “judgment in this life” and not some kind of afterlife judgment in the next life?
Today on the podcast Preston is talking with Bruxy Cavey. Bruxy and Preston are talking about church membership, nonviolence and views of hell.
Do we need to have church membership? Who can be a "member" of the church? Should a Christian hold to nonviolence? Should a Christian serve in the military? What does Bruxy think about the Eternal Conscious Torment view of hell? Is Bruxy one of the Annihilationist too?
In this episode Jay and Isaac are interviewing Preston and discussing the various views on hell and Preston's personal journey from one particular view on hell to the uniquely different view he holds today.
For many people, the topic of hell poses one of the greatest challenges to embracing the idea that God is good and loving and just. We hope this conversation opens up the dialogue and helps to broaden your horizons as you think about the topic of hell.
My first Baptism wasn't immersion, do I need to be baptized again?
How can you go against years of history and church tradition and believe in an Annihilation view of Hell?
Do you say congratulations to an engaged lesbian couple?
How do we put to death the deeds of flesh and move pass residual and habitual sin in our lives? How do we live in the tension that Paul provides - being righteous and yet being the chief of sinners?
