I would also recommend :All You Want to Know About Hell: Three Christian Views of God’s Final Solution to the Problem of Sin by Steve Gregg http://www.amazon.com/dp/1401678300/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_L2Jftb0TCWN7Y
_________________Todd
Wow, I had no idea that David Servant was an annihalationist like JWs. Very saddened to hear this.
_________________Oracio
Brothren I ask the same question that our dear sister Enid asked earlier in this thread, "Why is heaven eternal and hell isn't?" You are trying so hard to refute the reality of an eternal hell. You may as well refute reality of an eternal heaven.In Mat. 25:46 the unrighteous go into eternal punishment while the righteous go into eternal life. Simple observation will show the word eternal being used to the destination of both the unrighteous and the righteous. If you are going to reason that hell is only temporary for the unrighteous then you will have to reason also that heaven is only temporary for the righteous.Likewise if you're going to say that heaven is eternal for the righteous then you will have to also reason that hell is also eternal for the unrighteous.You cannot have heaven be eternal and hell temporal and do justice to Matthew 25:46.Blaine
by MrBillPro on 2014/3/4 15:49:17I found this while searching some scriptures, might order this book.http://blogs.christianpost.com/guest-views/hell-glorifies-god-20266/
Oracio wrote:"Wow, I had no idea that David Servant was an annihalationist like JWs. Very saddened to hear this."I don't know anything about David Servant, but I checked his website and his statement of faith seems to say he believes in eternal damnation.But let's say he does believe in annihilationism. Why would that sadden you? Is he no longer a brother? Is he no longer qualified to preach or teach? Is his character somehow besmirched?
Hey Bear--How would you respond this this argument:Eternal punishment for temporal crimes seems unjust even by God's stated standards of justice (an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth). A debt or penalty that takes forever to repay will never be fully repaid, and there can never be any final justice or resolution of the problem of sin in the universe; The Bible speaks of degrees of punishment of the wicked (e.g. Matt.10:22, 24/ Luke 12:47-48). If all sinners suffer eternally, then all receive equally infinite (not proportionate) punishment.
TMK, He still would be a brother to me. Many brothers believe in annihilationism. In fact, I know many brothers that believe in some pretty weird things (at least in my estimation) and they probably think I do to, but we all gather around Christ seeking unity, not conformity. The unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. We are conformed to Christ not each other. Based on experience, I can't help but be suspicious of a group where everyone believes the same thing.
Amen to that just-in. It would be pretty boring too.I love discussing scriptures with other brothers and sisters. what makes it fascinating is that each person sees something a tad differently perhaos because of life experience and perhaps because the way the Holy Spirit has opened a passage to them. we can always learn from each other if we are willing to close our moutfhs and listen. I also wanted to point something out about me. I have led various Bible studies and taught classes in church etc but i have never taught or argued for anything other than the traditional view of hell. I have been tempted believe me. But this has been my own private journey. My wife is not open to any alternative view. I discuss it here because i view this as a discussion forum.