Introduction:
What prompted me in part to write this post was well-known Christian personality, Kirk Cameron, recanting his belief in the traditional or historic orthodox teaching on the eternal punishment of unbelievers in favor of what is called "annihiliationism" here Are We Wrong About Hell? | The Kirk Cameron Show Ep 86 and a summary article here Kirk Cameron changes stance on doctrine of Hell | Podcast.
The Baker "Dictionary of Evangelical Theology" (edited by Walter A. Elwell, 2nd edition), defines annihilationism in its article on page 64:
"Annihilationism expresses the position of those who hold that some, if not all, human souls will cease to exist after death."
Norman Geisler in his "Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics", page 22, offers this definition of the position:
"Annihiliationism is the doctrine that the souls of the wicked will be snuffed out of existence rather than be sent to an everlasting, conscious hell. The existence of the unrepentant will be extinguished, while the righteous will enter into everlasting bliss."
Cameron noted he was influenced by evangelical author Edward Fudge. I won't take the time or space to present Fudge's arguments for his "annihilationism" view, only to note the link to his website, including a summary written by him that distills his exhaustive 500 page book "The Fire that Consumes" is found here: Edward Fudge Ministries - Joyously drawing water from the springs of salvation Isaiah 12:2-3.
Weaknesses I find in annihilationism
As I looked over Fudge's website, summary article, and insights into the ongoing discussion of the fate of those persons who die in their sins apart from faith in Jesus Christ, I found two areas that I would classify as a weakness. If I had more time I could do a much deeper dive, since the subject merits further study. In a moment I'll present below all the Scriptures that detail Jesus' and Peter's teaching on the doctrine of conscious torment in Hades now and Hell for eternity.
The first weakness in Fudge's case seems to be that not enough attention is paid to those Scriptures that speak about the resurrection of the unrighteous to "everlasting contempt" (Daniel 12:1-3), or as Jesus terms it "the resurrection of the unjust (John 5:25-29) and John's description of such a final resurrection of the wicked in Revelation 20:11-15. If indeed unbelievers are to cease in their existence post-mortem, what does one do with the Scriptural revelation of such a resurrection, which evidently implies conscious existence of such souls now who are then raised to face God in the final judgment and to have bodies that endure for eternity?
The second weakness I found in the annihilationism presented by Fudge is his insistence that those who advocate conscious, eternal punishment draw from the philosophy of Plato and the immortality of the soul. I have read Plato's "Phaedo" and "Timaeus". Although he developed the Greek view of the soul's immortality, his view and what we find in Scripture about conscious existence after death are different. The most notable difference is that the Biblical portrayal includes the doctrine of the resurrection, which the Greeks deny. Further, many of those authors I've read that champion the conscious and eternal torment of unbelievers do not cite nor borrow from Plato.
A reminder of the compassion and listening ear we need to have when approaching the doctrine of Hell.
As I mentioned, if I had more time, I would give further reason why annihilationism as a position does not square with what we find in the teachings of Scripture on the doctrine of eternal punishment. It goes without saying that we are to ever approach this subject with deep humility, prayer, and with an ear to what the Scripture's say. Anyone who can study this subject without a sense of disturbance in their heart have not grasped the gravity of the plight of unbelievers nor understood how God Himself repeatedly says He does not rejoice in the destruction of the wicked (Ezekiel 18:33 for example).
Moreover, compassion and sorrow for the lost are needed. Anyone who researches this topic must also recognize God is a good God who is equally just in His punishment of those who willfully reject His salvation and merciful by "having mercy upon whom He has mercy" to prompt anyone to receive such salvation.
What Scriptures teach about conscious eternal punishment in Hell
Jesus' Teaching on Hell
Jesus' Teaching on Hell
In my own study of Jesus' teachings on various subjects, it is surprising to see how often he mentions "Hell" in comparison to other topics:
1. Heaven = 34 times
2. Salvation = 21 times
3. Hell = 17 times
4. Love = 17 times
5. Money = 12 times
6. Prediction of his crucifixion = around 10 times
7. Not judging people = 3 times
Further study reveals Jesus' description of hell, which matches the Old Testament understanding but with far more detail. I'll only mention Scriptural references. As I have studied all the below passages over the years, I'm struck by the overwhelming insistence Scripture makes on how, sadly, unbelievers will endure conscious, eternal punishment. Jesus taught this point more than any other author in the Word of God.
1. Unquenchable Fire
Mark 9:43 compare Num 16:25; Ps 106:17,18
2. Everlasting Fire Matthew 18:18
3. Outer Darkness Matthew 25:46
4. Gates of Hell Matthew 16:18 compare Ps 9:13; Is 38:10
5. Place of conscious existence. Luke 16:25-28
6. Place of wailing, weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Mt 8:12; 13:42, 50; 22:13; 24:51; 25:30; Luke 13:28
7. Place of constant burning and stench.
Matt 5:22, 29-30; 10:28; Matt 18:9; 23:15,33; Mark 9:43,45,47; Luke 12:5
In sum, Jesus is carrying on what God revealed in the Old Testament with far more specific and pointed detail in all his parables, teachings and sermons. The question now is: what did his followers, the Apostles, teach on this subject? One of them, the Apostle Peter, will be the focus of our attention for the remainder of today's post.
The Apostle Peter's teaching on Hell in 2 Peter
1. Heaven = 34 times
2. Salvation = 21 times
3. Hell = 17 times
4. Love = 17 times
5. Money = 12 times
6. Prediction of his crucifixion = around 10 times
7. Not judging people = 3 times
Further study reveals Jesus' description of hell, which matches the Old Testament understanding but with far more detail. I'll only mention Scriptural references. As I have studied all the below passages over the years, I'm struck by the overwhelming insistence Scripture makes on how, sadly, unbelievers will endure conscious, eternal punishment. Jesus taught this point more than any other author in the Word of God.
1. Unquenchable Fire
Mark 9:43 compare Num 16:25; Ps 106:17,18
2. Everlasting Fire Matthew 18:18
3. Outer Darkness Matthew 25:46
4. Gates of Hell Matthew 16:18 compare Ps 9:13; Is 38:10
5. Place of conscious existence. Luke 16:25-28
6. Place of wailing, weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Mt 8:12; 13:42, 50; 22:13; 24:51; 25:30; Luke 13:28
7. Place of constant burning and stench.
Matt 5:22, 29-30; 10:28; Matt 18:9; 23:15,33; Mark 9:43,45,47; Luke 12:5
In sum, Jesus is carrying on what God revealed in the Old Testament with far more specific and pointed detail in all his parables, teachings and sermons. The question now is: what did his followers, the Apostles, teach on this subject? One of them, the Apostle Peter, will be the focus of our attention for the remainder of today's post.
The Apostle Peter's teaching on Hell in 2 Peter
For sake of space, I'll limit my remarks to Peter's teachings. The Apostle Peter's statements on Hades (or Hell) align with Jesus' teachings. Peter also emphasizes on several ocassions the presence of demonic beings in hell.
1. Hell will be a destructive place.
1. Hell will be a destructive place.
2 Peter 2:1 refers to false teachers bringing upon themselves "swift destruction" and in 2 Peter 2:3 we see reference to "destruction" and "judgment". Peter uses similar terms in 2 Peter 2:4,9,12. In 2 Peter 2:4 we see specific reference to certain fallen angels who are being held in reserved judgment.
The rebellion mentioned here occurred either in the ancient cosmic rebellion led by Satan in Revelation 12:4,7-9 or the abomination of certain demons taking on human form to commit immorality with the daughters of men in Genesis 6:1-4. Jesus describes both Hades and the final Lake of fire as being places of destruction with destructive fire in Matthew 18:18 and Mark 9:43.
2. Hell will be a dark place
2. Hell will be a dark place
As Peter and Jesus both teach, Hades and the final place of the Lake of Fire will not only be destructive, but dark places. Peter once again mentions how in Hell there are places that are extremely dark (2 Peter 2:4 "pits of darkness"; 2:17 "black darkness"). As he did in his descriptions of hell's destructiveness, the darkness of hell is heightened by the presence of demons (2 Peter 2:4) Jesus teaches how hell will be a place of "outer darkness" (Matt 25:46).
Many people over time have question what appears to be two conflicting descriptions of hell (both Hades and the Lake of Fire) as being places of fire and darkness. If there are unquenchable fires burning, how can there be darkness? Let the reader be reminded of what takes place when a major fire occurs: there are flames for sure, however there is thick dark smoke that makes seeing the flames hard to see.
To heighten this image to the level of the types of fire and darkness occurring in Hell escalates the picture. When we add in the frightening details of demonic beings more frightening than those that even roam freely on this earth, it ought to cause even the most hardened sinner to be moved to responds to God's saving call of salvation.
What Jesus and Peter both teach on escaping hell
Jesus repeatedly taught that He alone was the way, the truth and the life and that no man could come to the Father but by Him (John 14:6). To escape hell is simple: believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins. (John 3:16).
To not believe on the Lord Jesus Christ is to remain settled in your decision against Christ and preference of Hell over Him. (John 3:17-19, 3:36) The Apostle Peter as well urges His listeners both before 2 Peter 2 in 2 Peter 1:3-4 and after in 2 Peter 3:18 to know Christ and continue partaking of Him in faith.
All of the warnings and disturbing realities of 2 Peter 2 give readers reasons for avoiding the awful realities of hell. 2 Peter 3:17 urges readers to be on guard against the false teachers and seductions of this age so as to not get sucked into their ways.
Avoiding hell is a matter of relying upon the Spirit of God to do as commanded in 2 Peter 3:18 "but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." We are saved by grace through faith alone apart from the law and we are being saved by a grace that is not lawless. Both Peter and Jesus both explain clearly the only escape from Hell - namely Jesus Christ.
