My review of "Four Views on Hell: 2nd Ed"

[Alex_Smith]

Four Views on Hell

I think it will be a significant contribution to the Evangelical discussion! I look forward to reading and reviewing it

[Alex_Smith]

Sprinkle’s Introduction to “Four Views on Hell: Second Edition”

The general editor of this book, Preston Sprinkle, wrote the Introduction. He starts by acknowledging that Christianity’s doctrine of Hell has sometimes been poorly articulated and misused. Also, that even within evangelical Protestantism there has been a wide range of views. The examples he gives are Karl Barth, C. S. Lewis, John Stott, and N. T. Wright. He says that in the last 20 years there has been an increasing amount of discussion of the topic (I’ve observed this too). He rightly notes that this isn’t because people are becoming “wishy-washy” but quite the opposite, it’s because people are re-examining Scripture.

[Alex_Smith]

Eternal Conscious Torment―Engaging Burk’s View of Hell―Part 1

The first of the views is Eternal Conscious Torment (ECT). The biblical and theological case for this was written by Denny Burk. He starts by rightly acknowledging that people don’t like the idea of hell.

“One can hardly contemplate the horror of an eternal hell without shuddering at the thought of anyone having to bear such a fate.”

However, he believes ECT is what God reveals in the Bible, and therefore he has to submit to it.

[Alex_Smith]

Immortal Worms & Unquenchable Fire―Engaging Burk’s View of Hell―Part 2

In my last post I started looking at the first of the views in Four Views of Hell: Second Edition, Eternal Conscious Torment (ECT). Denny Burk wrote a biblical and theological case for this view. The next section of his chapter is titled “Scriptural Teaching on Hell”.

@Denny Burk

Robert Peterson has argued that there are at least ten texts of Scripture that deal explicitly with hell and with the final state of the wicked: Isaiah 66:22-24; Daniel 12:2-3; Matthew 18:6-9; 25:31-46; Mark 9:42-48; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10; Jude 7, 13; Revelation 14:9-11; 20:10, 14-15.

Burk states that from these passages we find at least three characteristics, which rule out all the other views in this book:

• Irrevocable final separation at the last judgment.
• Absolutely unending conscious experience.
• Just retribution to recompense for evil, not to redeem or renew.

I’ll discuss the above characteristics as I go through Burk’s section on Isaiah 66:22-24

[Alex_Smith]

In this post is some new information (at least for me) on olam that I came across

Punishment’s Duration―Engaging Burk’s View of Hell―Part 3

I’m blogging my way through Four Views of Hell: Second Edition. The biblical and theological case for the first of the views, Eternal Conscious Torment (ECT), is written by Denny Burk. In this post I’ll look at Daniel 12:2-3, which is the next passage he examines.

[Alex_Smith]

Surely if God had wanted to unambiguously convey to everyone the idea of Eternal Conscious Torment, He would’ve used less ambiguous words and phrases. Conversely, because He used the polysemous aiónios, it’s reasonable to infer that He wasn’t trying to convey the idea of eternity.

Is Aionios Eternal?―Engaging Burk’s View of Hell―Part 4

[Alex_Smith]

Sheep, kids, worship, and fire. A fair bit on kolasis too.

God’s love doesn’t contain fear, rather His perfect love removes fear―the fear of correction. That we still fear means we haven’t yet been fully corrected (indeed filled) by His love.

Pruning the Flock?―Engaging Burk’s View of Hell―Part 5

[Alex_Smith]

Separation? Destruction? Annihilation?

Ruin from God?―Engaging Burk’s View of Hell―Part 6

[Alex_Smith]

Sodom & Gomorrah, Jerusalem 70AD, hell today, forever?

Fiery Darkness―Engaging Burk’s View of Hell―Part 7

[Alex_Smith]

Revelation’s Universalist postscripts. God as the Surgeon, Gardener, and Metallurgist purifying all nations.

Fire & Brimstone―Engaging Burk’s View of Hell―Part 8

[Alex_Smith]

Universalist postscript: Kings of the Earth―rebels who come out of the Lake of Fire & into Book of Life!

Book of Life―Engaging Burk’s View of Hell―Part 9

[Alex_Smith]

Some of my thoughts on what motivated God to create us and what He intended our purpose to be. I think these are important questions as they influence the rest of our worldview, our theology, and even our actions.

Love or Glory? What Motivates God?―Engaging Burk’s View of Hell―10

[Alex_Smith]

Should we fear God? How urgent is evangelism? Is the Hell debate settled? Was Augustine right?

Should We Fear God?―Conclusion of Burk’s Case

[Alex_Smith]

I think Stackhouse’s response is excellent!

Summary of Stackhouse’s Response to Burk’s ECT

[Alex_Smith]

Summary of Parry’s Response to Burk’s ECT

He breaks it down under into following sections:

• Methodological Concerns
• Two Destinies?
• Eternal?
• Thinking Biblically
• Rejoicing in Damnation?
• The Happiness of the Redeemed
• The Parable

[Alex_Smith]

I particularly liked Walls concern with the Burk’s view of justice and love in relation to ECT.

Summary of Walls’ Response to Burk’s ECT

[anon12438761]

I’m really enjoying your review, thanks.

[Alex_Smith]

Thanks for taking the time to read it and for the encouragement! God willing, one day I’ll be in a position to review the other chapters too…