Hell: Aninvestigationintoduration

By PaulWarby

MelvilleJunction Hell:AnInvestigationonduration CopyrightPaulWarby

Requestsforinformationshouldbesentto: paul@warbytheology.org

Allrightsreserved.Nopartofthispublicationmaybeproduced,storedinanyretrieval system,ortransmittedinanyformorbyanymeanselectronic,mechanical,photocopy, recording,oranyotherexceptforbriefquotationsinprintedreviews,withouttheprior permissionoftheauthor.

CONTENT

Preface: Chapter1:TheHebrewScriptures Chapter2:TheNewTestament Chapter3:Argumentsforannihilation Chapter4:TheEarlyChurch Chapter5:ButWhatAbout? Chapter6:InConclusion

1 3 11 22 32 39 45

AppendixA:TheIntermediatestate

46

AppendixB:Ismanmortalorimmortal? 47 AppendixC:Theologicalapproachto languageuse AppendixD:Thenatureofhellina nutshell 49 48

Bibliography

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PREFACE

Hellusedtobeoneofthefavoureddoctrinesofthechurch.OnanygivenSunday andateveryevangelisticmeetingpreacherswouldwarntheirlistenersoftheperils tormentstocome.Somepaintedsuchdetailedpicturesthatitoftenmademe wonderiftherewasaguidedtourtohellongraduationfromseminary. Butasoflatethedoctrinehasquieteneddownquitedrastically. WHY? Isitbecausethechurchhasgonesoft,avoidingthisunpleasantteachingoutoffear ofcausingdiscomfort? Isitmoreforpragmaticreasonsthatweveoptedtoavoidteachingonhell?i.e.it justdoesntseemtogettheresultsofconversionthatitoncedid. Orarethereotherreasons?Theologicalreasons.Scripturalreasons.

Ithinkonereasonisthatrecentscholarshiphascastsomedoubtontheexact natureofhellbyreexaminingwhattheScriptureshavetosayonthesubject.Also preachershavestartedtobecomeawareofalternativewaysthathellhasbeen viewedthroughoutchurchhistory. Herearethefourdominantviews: 1)Universalism:ThisputsforwardthateventuallyallpeoplegettobewithGod.Its mostwellknownvariationistheRomanCatholicchurchsteachingcalled purgatory.Purgatoryistheviewthatmostpeopleendupspendingeternitywith Godbutthatsomeofthese(thosewhoarenotgoodRomanCatholics)havetogo throughaformofdiscipline,arefiningfire,thatpurgesthemofevilandmakes themfitforGodspresenceintheend. 2)TheLiteralview:Seeshellasaneternalpunishingofthewickedthatisaliteral lakeoffirewherepeoplespendeternityburning. 3)TheMetaphoricview:Seeshellasaplaceofeternalconsciouspunishingofthe wickedbutdoesnotspecifyexactlywhatitwillbelike.Thedescriptionsofhellas

fire,outerdarknessandsoon,areviewedasmetaphorsdepictinganunknown punishment. 4)TheAnnihilationistview:Seeshellasaplacewherethewickedaredestroyed.It isaplaceofpunishment(withvarieddegreesdependingonactsdonewhileon earth)andtheirultimatetermination. Inevangelicaltheologicalcircles,universalism(oritsmorepopularcousin purgatory)isnotgenerallyacceptedsothislittlebookwillnotfocusonit.AlthoughI wouldliketoencourage(asanygoodtheologianshould)myreaderstospendsome timereadinguponthisveryinterestingareaoftheology(seeBondaJTheOne PurposeofGod1993). Neitherisittheintentionofthisbooktofocusonthedebatebetweentheliteralor metaphoricviews,interestingastheymaybe.1 WhatIdointendtofocusonisaquestionthathascausedmuchdebateparticularly inrecentyears;namely:dothoseinhellsufferforeverandeverorisitalimited duration? Infocusingonthissingularaspect(duration),Iwillnodoubttouchonlybrieflyon otherimportantaspectsandIhopethatthereaderwillbeabletopickupthetrail wherethisworkleavesoff. Oh,andpleaselookatAppendiceswhichdealwithsomerelatedtopics. Sotoconcludethisintroduction,thislittleworkassumesthathellisthefinalstate ofthewicked.ThequestionIamaskingiswhetherapersonisconsciouslypunished foreverorwhetherthereisanendtothispunishingandthepersonultimately ceasestoexist.Toputitanotherway: Eternalpunishing2vs.Eternalpunishment3

1Ifanyonewouldliketoknow,ItendtosidewiththemetaphoricviewwhichIfindgivesa moresatisfactoryexplanationofhowhellcanbebothalakeoffireandouterdarkness simultaneously.

2anongoingpunishingthatcontinuesthroughouteternity
3apunishmentwitheternalconsequencesasindeathwithnohopeofreturn

CHAPTER1: TheHebrewScriptures(A.K.A.theOldTestament)

SHEOL WhenwelookintotheHebrewScriptureswithregardtotheafterlifewecomeacross thetermsheol.

Attimessheolisusedregardingthedestinationoftherighteous: ForexampleonhearingofJoseph'sdeath4Jacobrefusedtobecomfortedandsaid

SurelyIwillgodownintoSheolmourningformy son(Gen37:35NAS)

At other times sheolappliestothedestinationoftheunrighteous: HereitiswithregardtoKorah'srebellionagainstMoses: Sotheyandallthatbelongedtothemwentdown aliveintoSheol;andtheearthclosedoverthem andtheyperishedfromthemidstoftheassembly (Numbers16:33NAS) ForsomethisimpliedalowerSheolforthewickedandanupperSheolforthe righteous,butamorecommonunderstandingistosimplyseeSheolasreferringto thegraveordying.Thisthinkingseemstobeinlinewiththefollowingtexts:

IfIlookforSheolasmyhome,Imakemybedin darkness.IfIcalltothepit,YouaremyFather
4NaturallyweknowthatJosephwasnotinfactdeadbutsoldintoslavery;wearefocusing ontheresponseofJacobwhoatthisstagebelievedJosephtobedead.

tothewormmymotherandmysister.Wherenow ismyhope?Andwhoregardsmyhope?Willitgo downtoSheolwithme?Shallwetogethergo downtothedust?(Job17:1316NAS) ShallIransomthemfromthepowerofSheol? ShallIredeemthemfromdeath?ODeath,where areyourthorns?OSheol,whereisyoursting? (Hosea13:14NAS) WhenDavidisgivingadvicetoSolomononhowtopunishJoabhesays: Soactaccordingtoyourwisdom,anddonotlet hisgreyhairgodowntoSheolinpeace.(1Kings 2:6NAS)

AswehaveseenSheolcanbepersonified(Hosea13:14)5andtheextenttowhichwe canliterallyinterprettheseoftenpoetictextsis,ascanbeexpected,stillunder discussion. AsfarasIcantelltheevidencepointstowardsSheolasthegrave,thedestinationof alllifeonearth. NaturallywhattheHebrewScriptureshavetosayabouttheafterlifeisnotlimited tooneword.Attimesthereisanimplicationthattheafterlifeisnotaconscious existence. Whateveryourhandfindstodo,doitwithyour might,forthereisnoworkorthoughtor knowledgeorwisdominSheol,towhichyouare going.(Ecc9:10)

Withthatbeingsaidthereareotherimplicationsthatsomeformofaconsciouslife existsafterthebodydies. ThereisthestoryofSaulcallinguptheprophetSamuelfromthedead(1Samuel 28)wherethedeadprophetisbroughtbacktothelandoftheliving. 5seealsoJob26:6;Isaiah14:9

ThereisalsothetakingupofElijah(2Kings2:911)6. Thereisalsothetermrephaimwhichimpliessomeformofwraithlikeorshadow existence(e.g.Isaiah26:14). Andsowecansaythatthepossibilityofanafterlifeseparatefromthebodyisnot deniedorincontradictionwithintheHebrewmindbutthatitalsodoesnotcarrytoo muchweight.

THERESURRECTION TheHebrewmindratherorientatesitselfmoretowardsthepossibilityofthe reunitingoftheconsciouspersonandtheirdecayedbody.Thisistheideaofthe resurrectionandalthoughnotuniversallyacceptedbytheHebrewsitwasdefinitely ateachingoftheearlychurch(see1Corinthians15). IntheIsaiahApocalypsetext(24:127:13)thereistheresurrectionoftherighteous: Yourdeadwilllive;Theircorpseswillrise.Youwholie inthedustawakeandshoutforjoy(Isaiah26:19)7 Inthistextthewickedarenotresurrected.

AnotherprophetwhotalksoftheresurrectionisDaniel12:2: Multitudes8whosleepinthedustoftheearthwill awake:sometoeverlastinglife,otherstoshameand everlastingcontempt.

6althoughsomethinkthatthisreferstohisdeathandnotanextendedlifeinanotherrealm 7seealsoJob19:2526 8Thereissomedebateastowhetherthisreferstoageneralresurrectionoronlyofthose

whoarerighteous.Forsomethetermallotedinheritance invs13impliesonlythe righteousforothersthisisnotconvincingandseeitasinheritancealsoreferringto damnation.

Somehavetakeneverlastingcontempttomeanaformofeverlastingtormentwhile othershaveunderstoodittobesimilartohowmanyJewscontinuetohavefeelings ofcontemptforHitlerdespitehisearthlydemise. ANNIHILATION?

WhenwethinkoftheresurrectionasitisportrayedintheHebrewscripturesweare leftwithtwomainoptions.Firstly,thereisthepossibilitythatonlytherighteousare resurrected.Secondly,thereisthepossibilitythatallflesh,boththerighteousand wickedareresurrectedtofaceGodsjudgement.Ifweacceptthesecondoption thereisthepossibilitythatthewickedwilleitherbepunishedforeverorthattheir punishmentresultsintheirannihilation. ButbeforeIgetaheadofmyselfletusexaminewhatothertextstherearewith regardtothefateofthewicked: Donotfretbecauseofevilmenorbeenviousof thosewhodowrong;forlikethegrasstheywill soonwither,likegreenplantstheywillsoondie away.(Psalm37:12) Butthewickedwillperish:TheLORD'senemies willbelikethebeautyofthefields,theywill vanishvanishlikesmoke.(psalm37:30) Butallsinnerswillbedestroyed;thefutureofthe wickedwillbecutoff.n.(Psalm37:38) "AsthenewheavensandthenewearththatI makewillendurebeforeme,"declarestheLORD, "sowillyournameanddescendantsendure. FromoneNewMoontoanotherandfromone Sabbathtoanother,allmankindwillcomeand bowdownbeforeme,"saystheLORD."Andthey willgooutandlookuponthedeadbodiesofthose whorebelledagainstme;theirwormwillnotdie, norwilltheirfirebequenched,andtheywillbe loathsometoallmankind."(Isaiah66:2224)

"Surelythedayiscoming;itwillburnlikea furnace.Allthearrogantandeveryevildoerwill bestubble,andthatdaythatiscomingwillset themonfire,"saystheLORDAlmighty."Nota rootorabranchwillbelefttothem(Malachi4:1)

Aretheseversesrestrictedtotheirphysicaldeaths?i.e.aretheysilentwithregard toeternalstates?IfsothenwecansaythattheHebrewScriptureshavenothing muchtosayaboutthefuturestateofthewicked.Ifnot,thenwecansaythatthe HebrewScripturespointinthedirectionofannihilationism.

ButbeforewegetintothemeatoftheNewTestamentlet'sbrieflyexaminethetime betweentheTestaments9

TheIntertestamentperiod

AshasbeenstatedbysomanyscholarswecantreallyspeakofasingularJewish doctrineinthefirstcentury10;ratherwehavetotalkofdoctrines. Butfirstacautiononlookingatextrabiblicalmaterial.Oftenwhenitcomesto theologicalresearchwegobackintoourhistorybooksandtrytofindancienttexts thatagreewithourexistingviews.Ithinkthatthisishumannatureandtobe expectedTheproblemwiththisisthatweruntheriskofdrawingfalseconclusions. Wemaybringcertainmeaningsalongwithusregardingcertainwordsorphrases. Whenweseethesetermsinanancienttextwethenassumetheauthormeansthe samethingsthatwe,thereader,mean.Inotherwordswereadourmeaningintothe text11

9A.K.A.theIntertestamentperiodORtheFourSilentCenturies 10muchlikewecan'ttalkofasingularChristianDoctrine 11thisiswhattheologianscalleisegesis

Secondly,wecanbefairlyselectiveinwhichancienttextswechoosetofocuson. Oftentherealityisthatevenifwedofindanauthorwhoholdssimilarviewstoour ownthereareawholebunchofotherancientauthorswhodisagree.Sotofocuson certaintextsandtoignoreothersgivesusafalsesenseofsecurity.Thebestthing wecandoispointoutthattheviewexpressedbytheauthorwasaroundandthat thisviewhassomecredenceinitshistoricalcontext. Thirdly,weruntheriskofoverstatingthecredenceoftheviewinquestion.Ifwe canprovethatauthorXheldviewYwestillhavetobecautiouswithregardtohow welltheseviewswereheldbyothers.Acertainauthormayverywellhavehelda certainviewbutwearelimitedinourdeclarationsofhowwidelytheseviewswere held.12 Soletusnowreturntooursubjectofthebeliefsheldintheintertestamentperiod. Somedidnotbelieveintheresurrectionandthereforepunishmentsandorrewards fortheindividualsoul.JesusbenSirach(dated2ndCenturyBC)putforwardthatthe soulabidesinSheolwhichhedefinedasaplaceofunendingsleep(Sir30:17)and thatimmortalityratherreferstotheenduringnationthatoneservesandthe personsgoodnamethatendures(Sir37:26;44:815). Somebookstendtohaveconflictingviewswithinthemselves. Book2:310Whoaretobejudgedatthejudgment seat,Thatworthyrecompensetheymayreceive Andpayforalleachdidinmortallife.Andthen shallallpassthroughtheburningstreamof flameunquenchable;butallthejust315Shallbe saved;andthegodlessfurthermoreshalltoall agesperish(SybillineOracles2ndCentBC)

Heretheflameisunquenchablebutthegodlessaresaidtoperishforever.Thistext seemstofavourtheannihilationists,butlateron:

12OneofthereasonscertaintextswereincludedinthecanonofScripture(thebookswe
nowcallTheBible)wasbecausetheseworksweresowidelyaccepted.Whilethetextsthat arenowconsideredextrabiblicalwereexcludedpreciselybecausetheywerecontroversialor carriedideasthatconflictedwithotherexistingideasatthetime.

Book2:370Butlongwornunderdark,dank TartarusAloudshalltheycry;andtheyshall repayIncursedplacesthriceasmuchasallThe evilworktheydid,burnedwithmuchfire;Andall ofthem,consumedbyragingthirst375And hunger,shallinAnguishgnashtheirteethAnd calldeathbeautiful,anddeathshallfleeAway fromthem.Forneitherdeathnornightshallever givethemrest.(SybillineOracles(2ndCentBC)

Hereinthesamebookwehavethosebeingpunishedbeggingtoperish(likethe previousversesquotedsaid)buttheydontgetsolucky.Whatshouldwedo?Should onebeviewedaspoetic?Ifsowhichone?Thankfullyitisnotthetaskofthe evangelicaltheologiantoconsolidateconflictingviewsoftextsoutsideofour Scripture.Inanycase,itservesthepointIammakingherethatthesethingsare notsoclearcutintheJewishliteratureleadinguptotheNewTestamenttimes.

TheBookofEnoch(SecondCenturyB.C.FirstCenturyA.D.) Chap531ThenIlookedandturnedmyselfto anotherpartoftheearth,whereIbeheldadeep valleyburningwithfire.2Tothisvalleythey broughtmonarchsandthemighty...11Bythese meansshalltheyunderstandtheiniquitywhich theyhavecommittedonearth:andbythese meansshalltheyperish.

ThebookofEnochseemstosupportthesoulbeingdestroyed.Whilethebookof Judithhasthewickedsufferingforever.

Judith(around150BC)

16:71"Woetothenationsthatriseagainstmy people!theLordAlmightywillrequitethem;in thedayofjudgmenthewillpunishthem:Hewill sendfireandwormsintotheirflesh,andthey shallburnandsufferforever."

TheseconflictingideasledtomuchofthedebatethatweseeintheNewTestament betweenthePharisees(whobelievedintheresurrection)13andtheSadduccees(who didnot). Sowheredoesthisleaveus?Dazedandconfused?Ihopenotentirely.Howthis sectionservesusistopointoutthatbothpositions14ofeternaltormentand annihilationhavehistoricalcredibilityandthatprovingthepossibilityofoneview doesnotnegatetheother.WeareleftapproachingtheNewTestamentwithboth beingpossibleandwillnowdealmoreindepthwiththeNewTestamentpassages themselves.

13PleaseletusnotassumethatthePhariseepositionissynonymouswiththeviewof
eternaltorment.RatherIamsimplystatingthattheybelievedintheresurrectionwhether thatisfollowedbyannihilationoreternaltormentisnottheissuehere

14Thisisnottosaythatthesearetheonlypositionsbuttheyaretheoneswehavesetout
todealwithhere

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CHAPTER2: TheNewTestament

Firstoff,thewordhellisnotfoundintheGreektextoftheNewTestament.15 Rather,ourconceptofhellisderivedfrommultipleGreekwordsthattheNTuses.

1)

Gehenna

ThistermdoesnotoccurdirectlyintheLXX.16orinthesurroundingGreek literature. ItisrathertheGreekformoftheAramaicofJesusdaygehinnam(basedonthe Hebrewgehinnom)whichinfactindicatedavalleySouthofJerusalem.

15OurEnglishwordhellcomesfromtheAngloSaxonhel,whichmeanshidden.This
inturncomesfromtheAngloSaxontermhelan,meaningtohide.Soatfirstglance theEnglishtermseemstolinknicelywiththeHebrewSheol,butthatisafarcryfrom whatmostpreachersmeanwhentheyusetheterm. 16 TheGreektranslation,alsoknownastheSeptuagint,oftheOldTestamentandsome apocryphareferencedinthetimesoftheNewTestamentera.Itisoftenausefultoolin understandingthestanceoftheNewTestamenttowardtheHebrewScriptures.

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TheHebrewScripturesdohoweverrefertothisvalleyandwecanseethatthe associationisnotapleasantone,showingittobeaplacewhereGodspeopleturned toforeigngodsandwheresacrifices(sonsanddaughters)weremadebyfire.

He[Josiah]desecratedTopheth,whichwasinthe ValleyofBenHinnom,sonoonecoulduseitto sacrificehissonordaughterinthefireto Molech.17(1Kings23:10)

17seealsoJeremiah32:3035

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AndsothisvalleycametomeanaplaceofshameforIsraelrepresentingashameful deathforanyIsraelite. Jewishtraditionmayplayaroleherealthoughwecantbecertaintowhatextent.A documentliketheEthiopicbookofEnochcouldpointtothevalleybeingunderstood aseschatology18(90:26f.;27:1ff.;54:1ff.)butwehavenowayofknowinghow acceptedthesebeliefswereandtowhatextenttheNewTestamentauthorskeptthis inmind.

AtthetimeofJesusthevalleyitselfwassimplyaburninggarbagedumpforthecity. Sonodoubtthereisthetheologicalconnotationofshameandidolatry,butthereis alsoavisualimageofthisvalleyburningitsrubbishforalltosee.Iremindthe readerthatthefocushereisnottodefinetheexactnatureofhellinthiscontext GehinnonbutrathertoexaminewhattheScripturessaywithregardtoduration. BelowisalittlesamplingofthewaytheNTreferencedGehinnon. Ifyourrighteyecausesyoutosin,gougeitout andthrowitaway.Itisbetterforyoutoloseone partofyourbodythanforyourwholebodytobe thrownintohell.Andifyourrighthandcauses youtosin,cutitoffandthrowitaway.Itisbetter foryoutoloseonepartofyourbodythanforyour wholebodytogointohell.19(Matthew5:2930) "Yousnakes!Youbroodofvipers!Howwillyou escapebeingcondemnedtohell?(Matthew23:33) Thetonguealsoisafire,aworldofevilamongthe partsofthebody.Itcorruptsthewholeperson, setsthewholecourseofhislifeonfire,andis itselfsetonfirebyhell.(James3:6) Aswecanseethereislittlethatdealsdirectlywithourareaofinterest,namelythe durationofourcurrentconceptofhell.

18aviewoftheendoflifeasweknowit 19seealsoMatt18:9;Mark9:43,47;Luke12:5

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Aninterestingpointisthatthemajorityofthesewarningsareaimedatthedisciples withonlyoneexception(Matt23)whereitsaimedatthePharisees(religious leadersinJesusday).Itseemsabitstrangethatthiswarningisneveraimedor levelledatthenonbeliever,thepagan,thegentile.Maybeitisbecausegehennaisa particularlyHebrewmetaphorwhichwouldalsoexplainthatitisusedmainlyin Matthew,thegospeltraditionsaysiswrittenprimarilyfortheJew,andtheEpistle ofJames(alsoforapredominantlyJewishaudience).

AsIreadthroughthegehennatextsIseelittletoindicatethattheserefertosome formofongoingpunishmentasthevalleywascommonlyunderstoodtobean uncleanplaceofshamewherethingswerecompletelydestroyedbyfire.20

Intimegehennabecamesimplytheplaceof punishmentandsoattractedcorrespondingideas aboutHades(Brown1976:208)

2)Hades InthesurroundingGreekliteraturetherearetwomainmeanings: 1) HomerreferstoHadesastheGreekgodoftheunderworld.

2) TherestofthetimeHomerreferstoitastheabodeofthedeadwholead someformofshadowlife.GraduallyinGreekthoughtitbecameaplaceofboth rewardsandpunishmentsdependingonyourbehaviourinthisworld. ButasNTWrightpointsoutinhisbookTheResurrectionoftheSonofGod(2003: 33)itwasdistinctfromtheHebrewunderstandingofresurrectionwhichpointsto reunitingthebodyandthesoul. Wealsoneedtobeawarethatwearelimitedastowhatextentwecaninjectthese GreekmeaningsintotheNewTestamenttexts.Forexample,Iknowofnotheologian whobelievesMedussatohaveexistedinHadesorthattheferrymanbridgesthegap betweenthisworldandthenext.Thisisimportantforourtaskbecausesomepeople
20 PS.IwilldealwithspecifictextslikeMark9thatrefertothefirethatisnotquenched andthewormdoesnotdieinmoredetaillater.

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mayinserttheeternalnatureofHades(withitscorrespondingthoughtsonthe immortalityofthesoul)intotheNewTestamentwherenosuchmeaningmaybe implied.ItissimplysaferonthesecountstolistentotheHebrewScripturesandthe NewTestamenttextsthemselvesandtoratherbecautiousinhowmuchmeaningwe injectintothetext.21 IntheLXXHadesisusedover100timesandusuallytranslatedfromtheHebrew Sheol. Asdiscussedearlierthereislittlethatpointstoarealityotherthandestructionin theHebrewScriptures,althoughtherearehintswithregardtoahopeinthe afterlife.

Hadesisused10timesinNTandhereisaquicksampling:

Andyou,Capernaum,willyoubelifteduptothe skies?No,youwillgodowntothedepths.[Hades] Ifthemiraclesthatwereperformedinyouhad beenperformedinSodom,itwouldhaveremained tothisday.22(Matthew11:23)

AndItellyouthatyouarePeter,andonthisrock Iwillbuildmychurch,andthegatesofHadeswill notovercomeit.23(Matthew16:18)

21OneoftheproblemsofunderstandingHadesaseternalintheNTcontextisthatyou havetheformidabletaskofdefendingwhyyouinjectthatparticularaspectofHadeswhile ignoringtheothers.

22SeealsoLuke10:15
23HereisnottheplacetodiscusstheProtestantCatholicdebateaboutwhetherthisverse isreferingtoPeterorPeter'srevelationastherockJesusisreferingto.Weknowthatthe gatesofHadeswasareferencetoacaveusedinritualcultworshipinCeasereaPhilippi wherethisstatementismade.Gatescanrefertopowerorauthorityasinthecitygatesas

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IamtheLivingOne;Iwasdead,andbeholdIam aliveforeverandever!AndIholdthekeysof deathandHades.(Revelation1:18)

ThendeathandHadeswerethrownintothelake offire.Thelakeoffireistheseconddeath. (Revelation20:14)

ThemostlikelywaytolookatHadesissimplytoviewitastheplaceofthedead, whetherthatmeansthegroundthatweareburiedin,orsomeshadowexistenceof punishment,rewards,oratransitionintoasimilarstateofbeing.Thetermitself doesnotindicateinwhichdirectionweshouldhead.24

3)Abyssos

TheLXXusesthisterm25times. Itcanhaveneutralorpositiveconnotations. Nowtheearthwasformlessandempty,darkness wasoverthesurfaceofthedeep,andtheSpiritof Godwashoveringoverthewaters.(Genesis1:2) Psalm42:7usesthistermwhenitsaysthatdeepcallstodeep

aplaceofcivicauthoritybutalsotothepassivenatureofhellovertheactivenatureofthe kingdomofGodexpanding.InanyeventthistextpointstoHadesbeinganassailabledomain andhavingnopoweroverthechurch. 24Forthosewhoareinterestedinwhatiscalledtheintermediatestatesthebeliefthaton deaththespiritleavesthebodyandgoestoastateofblissorpunishmentawaitingthefinal judgementwheretheresurrectedbodyisjudgeditisstandardtheologytoacceptgehennaas thefinalplaceofjudgementwhilehadesisusuallyunderstoodtobetheplacethathousesthe soulsofthedeadbeforethefinaljudgement

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Ornegativeconnotations Thoughyouhavemademeseetroubles,many andbitter,youwillrestoremylifeagain;fromthe depthsoftheearthyouwillagainbringmeup.25 (Psalm71:20)

NEWTESTAMENTUSE

Itseemstobeaplacethatdemonsarenottoofondof. Jesusaskedhim,"Whatisyourname?""Legion," hereplied,becausemanydemonshadgoneinto him.Andtheybeggedhimrepeatedlynottoorder themtogointotheAbyss.(Luke8:3031)

Itseemstohousesomeformofevil. Thefifthangelsoundedhistrumpet,andIsawa starthathadfallenfromtheskytotheearth.The starwasgiventhekeytotheshaftoftheAbyss. WhenheopenedtheAbyss,smokerosefromit likethesmokefromagiganticfurnace.Thesun andskyweredarkenedbythesmokefromthe Abyss.Andoutofthesmokelocustscamedown upontheearthandweregivenpowerlikethatof scorpionsoftheearth.Theyweretoldnottoharm thegrassoftheearthoranyplantortree,but onlythosepeoplewhodidnothavethesealofGod ontheirforeheads.(Revelation9:14)

Elsewhereitseemstojustrefertotheplaceofthedead:
25somesaythisreferstotheresurrectionwhileotherssayitispoeticlanguagefor restorationofthewriterfromtroubledtimes

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Buttherighteousnessthatisbyfaithsays:"Do notsayinyourheart,`Whowillascendinto heaven?'"(thatis,tobringChristdown)"or`Who willdescendintothedeep?'"(thatis,tobring Christupfromthedead)(Romans10:67)

4)Katoteros

IntheLXXitisgenerallytranslatedfromtheHebrewtahtonwhichreferseitherto therealmofthedeadoraplaceofdistress:

Theywhoseekmylifewillbedestroyed;theywill godowntothedepthsoftheearth.(Psalm63:9)

Iamsetapartwiththedead,liketheslainwho lieinthegrave,whomyouremembernomore, whoarecutofffromyourcare.Youhaveputmein thelowestpit,inthedarkestdepths.(Psalm88:5 6)

Shouldweunderstandthesetextstobeliteral,tobemetaphoricofaliteralplace,or tobepoeticinnature?Thediscussionisstillopen.

NEWTESTAMENTUSE

KatoterosonlyoccursonceintheNT. Whatdoes"heascended"meanexceptthathe alsodescendedtothelower,earthlyregions?He

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whodescendedistheveryonewhoascended higherthanalltheheavens,inordertofillthe wholeuniverse.26(Ephesians4:910)

Thewordsimplymeanslower. ThisconcludesourGreekwordsthatlinktohell.ButthereisanotherGreekword thatrelatestooursubjectmatterofdurationwhichIwouldliketolookatbeforewe moveontothenextchapter. 5)Aionon Mostcommontranslation:eternal Firstoff,doesthiswordalwaysmeaneternal?Onceagainweneedtoapproachthis wordgamewithcaution.Buttokickoffletslookatwhatsomeofthescholarssay. Sinceaionmeantage,aionosmeans,properly, belongingtoanageoragelong. (DrFWFarrarMercyandJudgementpg378)

Theadjectiveaioniosinlikemannercarriesthe ideaoftime.Neitherthenounnortheadjective themselvescarriesthesenseofendlessor everlasting.Aioniosmeansenduringthroughor pertainingtoaperiodoftime.Outof150 instancesintheLXX(Septuagint),fourfifths implylimitedduration. (Dr.M.Vincent,WordStudiesoftheNew TestamentVol.IVpg.59)

26thisisoftenassociatedwith1Peter3:19whereJesuspreachestothespiritsinprison.
IrathertendtoseethesetextsasreferringtoChristsincarnationwherethecontrasthereis betweentheheavens(implyingGodsrealm)andthelowerregions(implyingearthand particularlyPalestine).

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theOTandtheNTarenotacquaintedwith conceptionofeternityastimeless...InHebrew andGreekthewordsrenderedeverlastinghave notthissense.Theysignifyalongdurationof time,aperiod(DrLammenois,The InterpretersDictionaryoftheBibleVol.4pg 643,645)

Nowpleasehearmeouthere.Idontthinkthataionioncanneverimplyorbeused toimplyeternity.Iamsimplysayingthattheworditselfcannotautomaticallybe understoodaseternal.WhatIamconcernedaboutisthatweinjectameaninginto thetextratherthanallowingthetexttospeakforitself.

Forexampleweseethewordaionionin2Timothy1:9andTitus1:2 (NTGreek) Pro(before)chronan(times)aionion(ages) (NIV) (KJV) beforethebeginningoftime beforetheworldbegan

Itisobviousthattotranslateaionionaseternityheremakesnosense,becausewe cannothaveabeforeeternityanymorethanwecanhaveanaftereternity. AnotherexampleisRomans16:25 Nowtohimwhoisabletoestablishyoubymy gospelandtheproclamationofJesusChrist, accordingtotherevelationofthemystery (musteriouchronoisaioniois)hiddenforlongages past,(NIV) Againitmakesnosensetoreadaionioistobeeternityherebecausethemystery wouldthenneverhavebeenrevealed.

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Whatthismeansisthatweneedtoexercisecautioninthinkingofaionionas referringtoeternityunlessthecontextindicatesorimpliesthis. TheNTwritersalsohadwaysofexpressingeternity. Forexample,inLuke1:33whereJesusreferstohiskingdomlastingforeverLuke usesoukestaitelos. AlsoinHebrews7:16theauthoruseszoasakatalutoutorefertoanindestructible life(NIV). Anotherinterestingtextis1Corinthians15:53whichtalksabouttheresurrected saints: Fortheperishablemustclotheitselfwiththe imperishable(aphtharsia),andthemortalwith immortality(athanasia).(NIV) Whatthesediversetermsmeantousisthatwearefreetoviewaiononasreferring toageoreon.

CONCLUDING NowthatwehaveabasicunderstandingoftheNTtermsthatrelatetooursubject matterwecanbroadenourscopeandexaminetheconceptofhelltheologically.

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CHAPTER3: Argumentsforannihilation

Ivebrokenthischapterintotwomainsections.ThefirstdealswiththeScriptures insupportofannihilationandtheseconddealswiththemorephilosophical(ethical) arguments.ThisIfeelistherightordertoapproachoursubjectasIdontwant philosophytodictateourunderstandingoftheScriptures. 1) Scriptures A:Godsjudgementbeingvaried. ...Hewillcuthimtopiecesandassignhima placewithunbelievers27Thatservantwhoknows hismasterswillanddoesnotgetreadyordoes notdowhathismasterwantswillbebeatenwith manyblows.Buttheonewhodoesnotknowand doesthingsdeservingpunishmentwillbebeaten withfewblows...(Luke12:4648) Howeverwelookatthisveryinterestingtextwecansaythatthereisapunishing thathasvarieddegrees.Animplicationfromthisisalsothatbothpunishmentsare limitedinduration.i.e.,thereseemstobenoindicationofinfiniteblowsbutfewand many. Whathappensifyouarealreadyconvincedthathellisongoingeternaltormentand youcometothisverse?Onesolutionwasputforwardintheinfamousinfernoof Dantethathaddifferentlevelsofhellwithitsincreasinglevelsoftormentthe furtherdownyouwent(varieddegrees)whichgoesonforalleternity(eternal durationinlevels).Butforevangelicalscholarswhocan'tfindanythinglikeDante's versionofhellinthebiblebutatthesametimewantingtoholdontohellasaplace ofeverlastingtormentingthisversepossesaproblem.Iftherearenolevelsinhell howdoweunderstandthevaryingdegrees?Ifweallspendeternityinasimilar statehowcantheoneeternitybeworsethanthenext?Nottomentionthatthetext 27istheplaceofunbelieversaconsciousexistence?Ashamefuldeath?Aburialplace?In
eithercasethisverseimpliesGod'sjudgementleadingtoadeathofsorts

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impliesdurationinthatthedistinctionistheamountofblows(fewandmany) ratherthanthequalityofblows(hardandsoft). Butifyouareanannihilationistwhoseeshellashavingalimiteddurationhe/she simplyseesthevaryingdegreesasthatleadtoanninhilation.Themanyandfew blowsrefertoamount(asinamountoftime).Soaserialmurderermightspend moretimeinhellthananotherperson.

Forinthesamewayyoujudgeothers,youwillbe judged,andwiththemeasureyouuse,itwillbe measuredtoyou.(Matthew7:2) HereweseethatGod'sjudgementissomehowlinkedtohowwejudgeothers.Again thetextcommunicatesvarieddegreesofjudgementbasedonbehaviour. LaterwealsohaveJesusspeakingaboutCapernaumandhowitwillbebetterfor Sodomonthedayofjudgementthanforthem(Matt11:24).Onceagain,varied degrees. Godwillgivetoeachpersonaccordingtowhat hehasdone.(Romans2:6)28 Ifjudgementisbasedonactionsitseemsthateternaldamnation,inotherwordsthe samejudgementforall,iscontradictory.Ifamanstandsbeforeajudgeandisfound guiltyofjaywalkingitwouldbestrangeforhimtoreceivethesamesentenceas someonefoundguiltyofserialmurders.Theimplicationofajudgewhojudges accordingtodeedsissothatthecrimefitsthepunishment.

B:Moredirecttexts The axe is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. "I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his
28SeealsoRev20:1112

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threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire. (Matthew 3:10-12) Whoisthisreferringto?Isthetreethatisburntaperson(orapersonssoul)?Do treesburnforeverinthistext?IfwearebaptizedwiththeHolySpiritandfire,isthe firethatburnsthechafftothesamefireasburntthetree?Isthechaffapersonor thedeedsorcharacteristicsoftheperson?HoweverweviewthisIthinkitissafeto saythatthemetaphoroftreesandchaffbeingburntpointsdestructionratherthan ongoingtorment.Ohandwe'lldealalittlelaterwiththetermunquenchablefire.

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.(Matthew 10:28)29 Sometimessometheologiansexplainthatthetextsthatrefertodestructionare betterinterpretedastobelost.Theyrefertotheuseofthetermalsobeingusedin Luke15withregardtothelostcoin.Formethelogicseemsfaultyhere.Inany language,termsoftenhavemultiplemeaningsandwecan'tsimplyassumethat becauseatermhasonemeaninginonecontextthatthemeaningneedstobe extendedacrossallcontexts.Forexample,thinkaboutifweweretosayonesports teamdestroyedanotherintheirlastmatchandthenlatertostatethatafire destroyedahouse.Itwouldbeincorrecttoapplythemeaningofonetotheother.It isacceptabletoassumethatlostisonepossibilityandthentoallowthecontextof thetexttoindicateifthisistrueornotelsewhere. SointheLuke15textsofthelostcoinandsheepitmakessensetointerpretthe wordapollumiaslost.Thecontextimpliesit.Butitisanunlikelyinterpretationof appolumiaslostinthistext(Mathew10:28)wherethecontexttalksofakillingof thebodyandakillingofthesoul.

"`No,' he answered, `because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.' " (Matthew 13:29-30)
29 see also Luke 12:4-5

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"As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 13:40-42) Itiscommonlyunderstoodthattheweedsrefertopersonsandwecanseeherea linkbetweenthefieryfurnaceandanotheridiomforhell,namelyweepingand gnashingofteeth.Itisclearlyaplaceoftorment.Buttheimplicationofaplacethat burnsweedsisofatormentoflimitedduration.

Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple. (1 Corinthians 3:16-17)

HewillpunishthosewhodonotknowGodanddo notobeythegospelofourLordJesus.Theywill bepunishedwitheverlastingdestructionand shutoutfromthepresenceoftheLordandfrom themajestyofhispower(2Thessalonians1:89) ThetermusedfordestructionisolethroswhichStrongsdefinesastodestroy;(a prolongedform);ruin,thatis,death,punishment:destruction.Theologianspoint outthatolethrosisthesamewordPaulusesin1Cor.5:5wherethebrothercaught insinistobehandedovertoSatanforthedestructionofhisflesh.Sometheologians refertothefactthatPaulin2Corinthiansurgesthemtorestorethisbrothertothe community.Thisforthemisanindicationthatthetermdestructiondoesnotmean toannihilate.Othertheologiansquerywhetherthepersonmentionedin1 CorinthiansisthesameasthebrotherPaulurgestoberestoredin2Corinthians. Evenifthisisthesameperson,thisdoesnotmeanthatoletheroscannotmean destructioninothercontextsasStrongsclearlypointsout.Asidefromtheargument mentionedunderMatt10:28,withregardtothevariousmeaningswords,thereis stillhugedebateastowhatPaulmeanswhenhesaysthatthefleshcanbe destroyedtosavethesoul.Sotofindawayofreadingthistext(2Thes1:89)that isn'tannihilationistyouhavetofirstfindthesamewordusedelsewhere(theyuse1

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Cor5:530,thenyouchooseonepossibleinterpretationofthattextwhichisbyno meansclear,andfinallyimportthatmeaninginto1Thes1:89.Possiblebutisit probable? Sohowshouldwereadthistext(2Thes:1:89)?WellI'velookedthroughovera dozentranslationandtheyallseemtointerpretolethrosasdestructionandIcan seenocompellingevidencetoreaditanyotherway.Oh,andtheeverlastingterm frommyperspectivesimplypointstothedurationofthisdestruction.Inotherwords theyaredestroyedforever,therearenosecondchances,itiseternalpunishmentand noteternalpunishing...yougetthepicture.

without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved--and that by God. (Philippians 1:28) Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. (Philippians 3:19)

All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. (Romans 2:12) This will take place on the day when God will judge men's secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares. (Romans 2:16) Verse 12 here reveals a judgement where people perish and vs 16 orientates us to the judgement being at the final judgement.

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23) Whatismeantbydeathinthiscontext?Isthereanythinginthiscontexttoindicate thatdeathmeansspiritualdeathassomeimply?Ihaveoftenheardanargument
30 itisalsousedin1Thes5:3;1Tim6:9

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basedonRevelation20whichreferstotheseconddeath.Thisisoftenlinkedwith GenesiswhereAdamandEvearepromiseddeathonthedaytheyeatthefruitofthe knowledgeofgoodandevil.Asfantasticandelaboratesomeoftheseargumentsare, Ibringusonceagaintoourbasicunderstandingofsemantics.Thatisthatwords havevariousmeaningsandtouniversallyapplyonedefinitionortoselectivelyapply definitionsthatsuitourpreconceivednotionsordoctrinesiswrong.Astandardrule ofthumbistostatethattheobviousormostcommondefinitionistobeunderstood unlessotherwiseindicatedbythetext.Ithrowthistextinhereasanexercise.

If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. (Hebrews 10:2627) But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved. (Hebrews 1039) What can those who continue sinning expect at judgement day? A fire. And what does this fire do to them? It consumes them. Verse 39 contrasts the righteous and the wicked. The wicked who shrink back are destroyed and those who believe are saved from this destruction. The NAS doesn't say saved but rather preserving the soul. The Greek translated for preserving is peripoiesin which can have three meanings 1) preserved 2) possession or 3) obtaining. The term for soul is psyche which can mean 1) breath 2) life or 3) soul. So however you slice this the righteous gain something which is the opposite of destruction.

But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them--bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping. (2 Peter 2:1-3)

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If he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly (2 Peter 3:6)

Some have questioned what type of destruction is meant in verses 1-3 because on the hand the destruction is swift while on the other their condemnation is still hanging over them. As for me it reads pretty straight forward; their destruction is stalking them until they die and are destroyed. Much like death is over each of our shoulders. It (personified in the grim reaper) is waiting till the time is right, and the more we toy with death the quicker it comes. But I understand that others might view verses 1-3 differently but that is why verse 6 comes to clarify. It talks of Sodom and Gomorrah as being examples of what the previous verses meant by destruction. These two cities certainly brought about their own destruction and the destruction here is simply that. Sodom and Gomorrah do not exist today, they were judged, they were destroyed.

By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. (2 Peter 3:7)

In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire. (Jude 7)

Here we see a link between eternal fire and the punishment bestowed on Sodom and Gomorrah. What happened to Sodom and Gomorrah? Was it destroyed? Is it still burning today? What does this example tell us of eternal fire, or should we say the fire of the age?

Wecanseefromthesamplingabovethattheteachingofannihilationismdoesnot restononewordbutrathermultipletermsandphrases31thatpointtothesame
31 Whenitcomestodoctrinesthatoftenhangonrelativelyfewtextsthedebates themselveshingeonsubtleinterpretationsandpreferredcontextualanalysisthatoften servetomuddythewatersratherthanclearthingsup.Ihavedonemybesttolaythe argumentsoutintheopenandtoallowthereaderstomakeuptheirownminds

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reality:annihilation.Iencourageusalltolookateachtextandtoaskthissimple questionWhatisthisversetellingus? Sowhatcanweconclude? Dependingonhowyoulookatthesetextsyoucould,ononeendofthespectrum,say thattheScripturesdefinitivelyteachannihilationis,montheotherendyoucould saythatannihilationismisapossibilityfromtheNewTestamentperspective.What Ithinkfallsfaroutsideoftherealmofhonestexegesis32istostatethatthereisno Scripturalbackingforannihilationism.Iunderstandandrespectthatother theologiansmaydisagreewithmeandmayreachdifferentconclusions.33Butto simplystatethatthereisnocredibilitytoanopposingviewisamisleadingtactic andonethatIhopetoavoid.

HavinglookedatsomeofwhattheScriptureshavetosayIknowturnourattention ontothemorephilosophicalaspectsofourdiscussion,namelyethicsandmore specificallyourunderstandingofjustice.

1) Ethics:Justice WhenitcomestothedoctrineofhellthetheologianoftenpointsoutthatGodisa Godofjusticeaswellaslove.Ironicallythisisapositionheldbyboththeeternal tormentcrowdandtheannihilationists. Letusassumethatthereisaserialkillerwholivedalongandprosperouslifeon earthbutcauseduntoldmiseryforhismanyvictims.Itwouldnotbejustforthis personto,ondeath,merelyceasetoexist.ItwouldnotfitourGodgivennotionof justice.34 Andsohellisaplacewherethisjusticeismet.Aswehaveseenearlierhellisa placeofvaryingdegreesofpunishmentwhereeachisjudgedaccordingtotheir actionsonearth.Andsomanyproponentsoftheeternalpunishingviewofhellstate thathellneeds(byimplicationofGodbeingjust)toexist.
32 33 understandingspecifictexts Thatisalwaysastancetheserioustheologianneedstotake

34 althoughweallacknowledgethatonlyGodcanjudgewhatisultimatelyandtrulyjust

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ImustconfessthatIhad,atonestage,becomefairlycomfortabledefendingtheidea thatpeoplespendaneternitybeingpunishedfortheirsins.Iarguedthatthecrime ofrejectingJesuswasthegreatestcrimeofthemallandthatonlyaneternal punishingcouldbefittherejectionofGodhimself. Ialsospentsometimearguing(muchlikeCSLewis)abouthowthosesenttohell wentthereoutofchoiceandthatthereprobablywouldntbeascenariowherepeople wouldpleadforforgivenessonthedayofjudgementandGodwouldturnhisbackon themsayingsomethingalongthelinesofyouhadyourchance,itstoolatenow.I arguedthattheyhadshapedthemselvesintoabeingthatwouldonlyappropriately fitin,inhell. ButaftermyScripturalreexaminationIbegantoquestiontheselinesofreasoning. ThefirstlineofreasoningjustdidntseemtomakeanysenseandifIamhonest, begantomakeGodlookrathervindictiveandpetty.Iacknowledgethatrejecting Godisamostheinouscrimebuttospendeternitybeingtormentedjustseemslike cosmicoverkill.Perhapsadayinhellwouldbesufficientpunishment,perhaps100 yearsbutforeverandeverjustdoesntseemtoresonatewithanyunderstandingof justice.SoIhavebeguntoseethatinorderforustounderstandhellasaplaceof justiceitcannotbeaplaceofeternalpunishing. ThesecondlineofreasoningseemstocontradicttheScripturalunderstandingof hell.Ifhellisasbadasweallsayitis(whetherwespendeternitythereorjusta moment)itdoesntmakesensetothinkofitasaplacewherepeoplewouldnotdo anythingtoescapefromit.Ifhellisfilledwithselfishpeopleandhellisallits crackeduptobethenevenifoutofpurelyselfishmotivesresidentswouldpleadto escapeit. Sotheeternaltormentviewfrommyperspectivesisinoppositiontotheideaof justice.Eitherthepunishmentisunjustbecauseitisafarharsherpunishmentthan anyconceivablecrimeORthepunishmentisunjustbecauseitsnotsobadafterall (anyplacethatpeopleareOKwithbeinginisn'tmuchofapunishment). 35 2) Wouldheavenbeheavenifweknowhellisgoingon? Theexactnatureofheaven(andhellforthatmatter)isnotknownbutwecansay thatheavenisastateofbliss.Ifweassume,andIcan'tthinkofanyreasonnotto, thatweretainsomememoryofourlifeonearthitwouldbeastrangeblissifwe
35 naturallythisareoversimplificationofverycomplexagrumentsbutIthinkthebroad brushstrokesarehere

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knewthatsomeoftheoneswelovedoneartharebeingtormentedasweenjoyour bliss.Naturallythisisanargumentthatreliesoninductivereasoningandassuch therearecounterargumentsandcountercounterarguments(adinfinitum).Asthe agendahereisnottopenthefinalwordImentionitheresimplytomakethereader awareofsomeofthetypesofdiscussionsthatdevelop.

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CHAPTER4: TheEarlyChurch

Herewearelookingatthewritingsoftheearlychurchthatdoesnotfallunderwhat hasbecomeknownastheNewTestamentwritings.Usuallythismeansweare lookingatwritingsafterthetimesoftheapostlesbutbeforethelinkupbetweenthe churchandtheRomanEmpire(i.e.thefirst300yearsofchurchhistory). Thiseraisnotoriouslydifficultwithregardtodoctrinessimplybecausewehaveso muchvariation.Atbestwhatcanbedoneistoexaminemajortrends. ThatbeingsaidweacknowledgethatthewritingswecalltheNewTestamentdonot cometousinavoidandsoitcanbehelpfultolookatsurroundingwritingsto maybebringsomeclarity. Withregardtohellthereisrelativelylittlematerialtoworkwith(fromthisIdeduce thatitwasnotofprimaryconcerntotheearlychurch). Themirroringtexts WhatImeanbymirroringtextsaretextsthatreflecttheNewTestament,almost wordforword.Thissimplymeansthattheseearlychurchtextscastnolightontothe subjectasanyinterpretationthatwehaveoftheNTareunderstoodtobethoseof theearlychurchtextsandviceversa. ClementofRome ...ThismeansthedayofHisappearing,whenHe willcomeandredeemuseachoneaccordingto hisworks.AndtheunbelieverswillseeHisglory andmight,and,whentheyseetheempireofthe worldinJesus,theywillbesurprise,saying, "Woetous,becauseThouwast,andweknewnot andbelievednotandobeyednottheelderswho showusplainlyofoursalvation."And"their wormshallnotdie,neithershalltheirfire bequenched;andtheyshallbeaspectacle

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untoallflesh."Itisofthegreatdayofjudgment Hespeaks,whentheyshallseethoseamongus whowereguiltyofungodlinessanderredintheir estimateofthecommandsofJesusChrist.The righteous,havingsucceededbothinenduringthe trialsandhatingtheindulgencesofthesoul, whenevertheywitnesshowthosewhohave swervedanddeniedJesusbywordsordeedsare punishedwithgrievoustormentsinfire unquenchable,willgiveglorytotheirGodand say,"Therewillbehopeforhimwhohasserved Godwithhiswholeheart."(2Clement17,around 150AD) Iwilldealdirectlywithboththeseaspects(theundyingwormandtheunquenchable fire)inthechapterButwhatabout?

Annihilation Doanyoftheearlychurchfatherspointusinthedirectionofannihilation?Yes. Hereafewsamples: ClementofAlexandria Forwewhoarepassingovertoimmortality shallnotfallintocorruption,forHeshall sustainus.(Paedogogus9NewAdventWebsite 2009)

TheweherearethosewhofollowJesusandthecontrastisbetweenimmortality andcorruption.

AndbyEzekiel,thelifesuppliescommandments: Thesoulthatsinsshalldie;buthethatdoes righteousnessshallberighteous...

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Thesewordscontainadescriptionoftheconduct ofChristians,anotableexhortationtothe blessedlife,whichistherewardofalifeof goodnesseverlastinglife.(Paedogogus10) Iftherewardofalifeofgoodnessiseverlastinglifethenitimpliesthatalifeof wickednessisalimitedlife.Notethetextisnotsayingthattherewardisan everlastinglifeofbliss(whichwouldopenupthepossibilityofaaneverlastinglifeof damnation) Otheprodigiousfollyofbeingashamedofthe Lord!Heoffersfreedom,youfleeintobondage; Hebestowssalvation,yousinkdowninto destruction;Heconferseverlastinglife,you waitforpunishment,andpreferthefirewhich theLordhaspreparedforthedevilandhis angels.(ExhortationtotheHeathenIX) ActsofThomas(200225AD) 6:57Againhetookmeandshowedmeacave exceedingdark,breathingoutagreatstench,and manysoulswerelookingoutdesiringtoget somewhatoftheair,buttheirkeeperssuffered themnottolookforth.Andhethatwaswithme said:Thisistheprisonofthosesoulswhichthou sawest:forwhentheyhavefulfilledtheir tormentsforthatwhicheachdid,thereafter dootherssucceedthem:andtherebesome thatarewhollyconsumedand(some,Syr.) thataredeliveredoveruntoothertorments Thistextconveysbothannihilationandtheconceptofvarieddegreesofpunishment.

Eternalconscioustorment

TheApocalypseofPeter

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21AndIsawalsoanotherplaceoveragainstthat one,verysqualid;anditwasaplaceof punishment,andtheythatwerepunishedandthe angelsthatpunishedthemhadtheirraiment dark,accordingtotheairoftheplace.22And somethereweretherehangingbytheirtongues; andtheseweretheythatblasphemedthewayof righteousness,andunderthemwaslaidfire flamingandtormentingthem... 22Andtherewerealsoothers,women,hangedby theirhairabovethatmirewhichboiledup;and theseweretheythatadornedthemselvesfor adultery. 23Andthementhatwerejoinedwiththeminthe defilementofadulterywerehangingbytheirfeet, andhadtheirheadshiddeninthemire,andsaid: Webelievednotthatweshouldcomeuntothis place. 25AndIsawthemurderersandthemthatwere consentingtothemcastintoastraitplacefullof evil,creepingthings,andsmittenbythosebeasts, andsoturningthemselvesaboutinthattorment. Anduponthemweresetwormslikecloudsof darkness.Andthesoulsofthemthatwere murderedstoodandlookeduponthetormentof thosemurderersandsaid:OGod,righteousisthy judgement. 26AndhardbythatplaceIsawanotherstrait placewhereinthedischargeandthestenchof themthatwereintormentrandown,andthere wasasitwerealakethere.Andtheresatwomen uptotheirnecksinthatliquor,andoveragainst themmanychildrenwhichwerebornoutofdue timesatcrying:andfromthemwentforthraysof fireandsmotethewomenintheeyes:andthese

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weretheythatconceivedoutofwedlock(?)and causedabortion. 27Andothermenandwomenwerebeingburned uptotheirmiddleandcastdowninadarkplace andscourgedbyevilspirits,andhavingtheir entrailsdevouredbywormsthatrestednot.And theseweretheythathadpersecutedtherighteous anddeliveredthemup. 28Andneartothemagainwerewomenandmen gnawingtheirlipsandintorment,andhaving ironheatedinthefiresetagainsttheireyes.And theseweretheythatdidblasphemeandspeak evilofthewayofrighteousness. 29Andoveragainstthesewereyetothers,men andwomen,gnawingtheirtonguesandhaving flamingfireintheirmouths.Andthesewerethe falsewitnesses.(TheApocalypseofPeter2129)

Thusshalltheybetormentedforever (EthiopictextoftheApocalypseofPeter)

BelowisaquoteregardingtheApocalypseofPeter. Solikewiseinthecaseofthetormentsofthe wickedaspresentedintheRevelationofPeter. WearenothereintheJewishSheol,oramong thefiresofthevalleyofHinnom,somuchas amongthetorturesofTartarusandtheboiling mudoftheAcherusianLake(cf.Plato,Phaedo,p. 113;Aristophanes,Frogs,line145),orwhere "wildmenoffieryaspect...seizedand.carriedoff severalofthem,andArdiaeusandothers,they boundheadandfootandhand,andthrewthem downandflayedthemwithscourges,anddragged themalongtheroadattheside,cardingthemon

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thornslikewool,anddeclaringtothepassersby whatweretheircrimes,andthattheywerebeing takenawaytobecastintohell"(Republic,x.,p. 616,Jowett'stransl.).Itisnotsurprisingthatin latervisionsofthesamekindtheverynamesof theGreekunderworldareascribedtolocalitiesof hell.ItisacrosstheriverOceanus.Itiscalled Tartarus,InitistheAcherusianLake.Noticein thisconnectionthatthesoulsofinnocentvictims arepresentalongwiththeirmurdererstoaccuse them.(RobertDonaldson http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/info/apocal ypsepeter.html) FromtheabovequotewecanseeaclearlinkbetweentheGreekviewandthatofthe ApocalypseofPeterwhichisdatedafterPetersdeath(100150AD)andemergesout ofEgypt(C.DetlefG.Mllerwrites(NewTestamentApocrypha,vol.2,p.622).It wasaccreditedbyClementbutdeniedbyEusibius.

Purgatory Ithoughtitmightbenicejusttoaddtheuniversalism/purgatoryviewherejustto showthattherewereotheroptionsintheearlychurchasidefromtheonesIhave chosentofocuson. Origen AndtheholyScripturessaythattheLordwill, likearefinersfireandfullerssoap,visiteach oneofthosewhorequirepurification, becauseoftheinterminglinginthemofafloodof wickedmatterproceedingfromtheirevilnature; whoneedfire,Imean,torefine,asitwere,(the drossof)thosewhoareintermingledwithcopper, andtin,andlead.Andhewholikesmaylearn thisfromtheprophetEzekiel.Butthatwesay

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thatGodbringsfireupontheworld,notlikea cook,butlikeaGod,whoisthebenefactorof themwhostandinneedofthedisciplineoffire (ContraCelsusXV)

...itwastermedboththevalleyofEnnomand alsoGeenna.Andcontinuingourresearches,we findthatwhatwastermedGeenna,orthe valleyofEnnom,wasincludedinthelotofthe tribeofBenjamin,inwhichJerusalemalsowas situated.Andseekingtoascertainwhatmightbe theinferencefromtheheavenlyJerusalem belongingtothelotofBenjaminandthevalleyof Ennom,wefindacertainconfirmationof whatissaidregardingtheplaceof punishment,intendedforthepurificationof suchsoulsasaretobepurifiedbytorments, agreeablytothesaying:TheLordcomethlikea refinersfire,andlikefullerssoap:andHeshall sitasarefinerandpurifierofsilverandofgold. (AgainstCelsus6.25)

Whatwecandeducefromallthisisthattheearlychurchfathers,muchlikethe ancientJewishtraditionbetweenTestamentshavemanyoptionsopen.Therecanbe nodefinitivestatementthatoneviewistheonlypossibleunderstanding.Atthevery leastweneedtoopenourmindstothepossibilities,rethinkourassumptions,once againcomingtotheScriptureswithhumilityandwisdom.

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CHAPTER5: ButWhatAbout?

WheneverIputforwardmyperspectiveonhellIamoftencounteredby,Butthe BiblesaysX.ItrustthatbynowweareawarethattheBiblealsoindicates annihilation(amongstotheroptions).Butthisdoesnotmeanthatweareforcedto chooseonetextoveranother;thisisusuallydoneundertheguiseofsayingthatthe textsthatsupportones'viewareclearwhilethoseincontradictionarenot. 36Nor doesitmeanthatwetakeademocraticapproachtallyingupthenumberoftextsin favourofeachviewwiththehigherstatisticbeingthevictor.37.AllScriptureis relevantandweshoulddoourbesttounderstandeverylastone.38 Sowhataresomethetextsthatpeopleraiseindefenceofeternaltorment,orasan offenceagainstannihilationsim?Belowaresomeofmyresponsestothesetextsand assuchtheycommunicatesomeofmyownsubtletiesandaren'ttobeseenasthe finalword.

...ItisbetterforyoutoenterthekingdomofGod withoneeyethantohavetwoeyesandbethrown intohell,wheretheirwormdoesnotdie,andthe fireisnotquenched.Everyonewillbesaltedwith fire.(Mark9:4749) Firstoffitisunlikelythatthistextistobetakenliterally.Thereferencetotheworm notdyingandthefirethatisnotquenchedissandwichedbetweenpersonsplucking outtheireyesandtheeveryonesaltedwithfire.Butthatdoesn'tmeanwecan simplyfoboffthetextasirrelevant,afterallweknowthatallScriptureisuseful andrelevant.
36 althoughIthinkweallarealittleguiltyofthis;)Whatweneedisameasured understandingofthetextratherthanrelyingontraditionalorpersonalpreferences althoughitmaybeusefulinpointingoutScripturalemphasis althoughIdon'tthinkanytheologiancanclaimtounderstanditall

37 38

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NextifIlookatthetermsthatareoftenusedtotouttheeternalnatureofhell (theirwormdoesnotdie,andthefireisnotquenched)Inotethattheyareaquote fromtheHebrewScriptures,fromthebookofIsaiahChapter66:24 Andtheywillgooutandlookuponthedead bodiesofthosewhorebelledagainstme;their wormwillnotdie,norwilltheirfirebequenched, andtheywillbeloathesometoallmankind. Theclearmeaninghereisregardingdeadbodiesandnottheconscioustormentof personsineternity39 FromallthisIconcludethattheMarktextwarnsus,usingpoeticlanguagefrom Isaiah,againstafateofshamefuldeath.

Asidenoteontheunquenchablefire: FireisclearlylinkedtoGod'sjudgement:

ThisiswhattheLordsaystothemenofJudah andtoJerusalem:Breakupyourunploughed groundanddonotsowamongstthorns. CircumciseyourselvestotheLord.Circumcise yourhearts,youmenofJudahandpeopleof Jerusalem.Ormywrathwillbreakoutandburn likefirebecauseoftheevilyouhavedoneburn withnoonetoquenchit(Jeremiah4:34) ThereforethisiswhattheSovereignLordsays, Myangerandmywrathwillbepouredouton thisplace,onmanandonbeast,onthetreesof thefieldandofthefruitoftheground,anditwill burnandnotbequenched(Jeremiah7:20)
39 IamawarethatthebookofJudith(16:17)usesthewormnotdyingtomeaneternalpain butIdon'tthinkweshouldallowJudith'smeaningtooverrideIsaiahs'

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Isitaliteralfireandisthatfirestillburning?Clearlythetermisusedtoindicate thejudgementofGodandequallyclearisthatunquenchabledoesnotmeanthatit burnsforeverandever.Fromboththesetextswecanconcludethattheterm unquenchablemeansthatthoseunderthejudgementwillnotbeabletostopit. Josephus40talksabouttheunquenchablefireinthetemple,whichwasalready quenchedatthetimeofwriting.(JewishWar,B.ii,ch.xvii:6.) Eusibius41talksofthemartyrsofAlexandriabeingburninginunquenchablefire. (Eccl.His.,lib.6,chap.41,) Clearlyintheidiomofthedaythephraseunquenchablefiredoesnotrefertoafire thatburnsforeverandever.Ratheritseemstomeanafirethatcannotbequenched untilithasburnedupthatwhichiswasintendedtoburn.

Thentheywillgoawaytoeternalpunishmentbut therighteoustoeternallife(Matthew25:46)

MostoftheargumentsIhaveheardgosomethinglikethis: Thewordforeternalisusedforbotheternallifeandeternalpunishment.They thereforerefertothesamedurationandsothedurationoflifeinheavenisthesame durationofthelifeinhell. Ihaveafewproblemswiththislineoflogic. FirstoffIamremindedofourwordstudyoftheGreekforeternalhere(aionon)and thatitmightnotrefertoeverlastinghere.42 Butevenifweassumethatitistoreadeternalpunishmentandeternallife,asI do,43theargumentmisseswhateternalisconnectedtointhesentence.

40 41 1stCenturyADJewishHistorian historianandBishopofCeasaerea263339AD

42 theuniversalistsandpurgatorialviewsarguethatthetermisbesttranslatedasagein thiscontext 43Ibelievethecontextimpliesfinaljudgment

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Itisnoteternallifeofpunishmentvseternallifeofblissbuteternal punishmentvseternallife.Bycontrastingthepunishmentwithlifeweareleft withthebeliefthatthepunishmentiscontrarytolife.Thepunishmentimplies termination,nonlife.Asothertheologians(e.g.Pinnock)havepointedoutitisnot eternalpunishingbuteternalpunishment.Itisapunishmentwitheternal consequences,i.e.youwillceasetoexistforalleternity.Ithereforebelievethistext toteachannihilationism.

Lazarusandtherichruler(Luke16:1931)

Iamnotsurewhetherthistextshouldevenbeintroducedintothediscussionhere butbecauseofitspopularusageIwilladdressitbriefly. Thereisafairamountofsuspicionregardingtheuseofthistexttoteachonhellfor anumberofreasons.Probablythemostcommonobjectionisthatitisaparable44 andassuchweshouldnomorereadourviewsonhellfromitaswearetoread farmingmethodsfromtheparableofthesower.i.e.thestoryisabouthowwetreat thepoor.Otherobjectionsrelatetothepoeticnatureofitall;Abrahamsbosom,a gulfthatwecanlookacrossseparatingthetwodestinations,andsoon.Andthenof coursethereisthedebatebetweenreflectingthefinalstateortheintermediate state.i.e.isthisapictureofhowthepersonendsup 45ortheplaceofholding awaitingthefinaljudgement?46 Butevenifwecansomehowsurmountthesehurdleswearestillleftwithastory thatsaysnothingabouthowlongthisconscioussufferinggoeson.Itsimplydepicts thestateatthetimeafterdeath(andwhilehisbrotherswerestillalive).Thisstory

44 infactanadaptationofanexistingparable.SomesaybasedontheEgyptiantaleof SetmeChamois;otherssayit'sratherbasedontheLuciantextsaboutMicyllusand Megapenthes 45 46 unlikelybecauseeveniftakenliterallyittakesplacebeforethefinalresurrection inwhichcaseitsaysnothingofthefinalstate

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thereforecanoffernolightonthediscussionofthisbook.Atitsverybest47itdepicts thenatureofhellthatcouldeitherlastforeverorforalimitedtime.

Andthesmokeoftheir48tormentrisesforever andever.(Revelation14:11)

Ithinkthisisthestrongesttext,perhapstheonly:),insupportofeternalconscious torment.Thesmokeoftheirtormentrisesforeverandeverissomepretty powerfulstuffandImustbehonestthisisoneofthetextsintheBiblethatpuzzles mealittle. Somecommentatorshavepointedoutthatitisthesmokethatrisesforeverandnot thetormentitself.Wenhamforexampletakesthesmoketomeanthememoryof theirtormentIsupposewecanthinkofsmokeasthememoryofthemoresolid substanceofwood. Othershaveputforwardthatthephraseforeverandever(eisaionasaionon)is bettertranslatedintotheage[of]ageswhichissimilartotheGreekfor'holyof holies.SojustasHolyofHoliesdoesnotrefertoholinessthatprecedesafter holinessneithershouldtheageofagesrefertoanageafterthisoneandrather shouldbeunderstoodasthequalityofafiniteage. AsformeI'veconsoledmyselfwiththeobvious,namely,thatthetextcomesoutof thebookofRevelations.ThisdoesnotmeanthatIwishtosweepthetextunderthe carpetbutjustasmostscholarsdonotseealiteralmarkingofpersonsontheirhand andtheirforeheadintheendtimes49wecantakethesmokeoftorment50rising foreverandevertobetakenwithapinchofpoeticsalt.Iamloathetooverrideone textwithanotherbutifeverwearetointerpretatextaspoeticandtoprefer
47 48 Iamstilldoubtfulonthis thosewhoworshipthebeastandhisimageandreceivedhismarkontheirforeheador hand. indeedthereismountingevidencethatthistextdoesnotevenrefertotheendtimes

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50 dowethinkthesmokeisliteral?

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anotherclearertextoveritthenthebookofRevelationprovidesafertilefieldto plough. IamalsoremindedthatEcclesiastes1:4statesthattheearthenduresforever whereasothertextsspeakaboutanewheavenandnewearth(Isaiah65:17;2Peter 3:13).DoestheBiblecontradictitselforhavewetendedtoexertourmodern scientificnotionsofspeechclarityontothetextwhichismorecomfortableinits literarygenrealongwithexaggeratedspeech,metaphor,poetry,etc.AsStanley Grenzstates,inordertounderstandtheBiblewearetostandunderit,i.e.allowit todictatethetermsofcommunication.

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CHAPTER6: InConclusion

Ihopethatmyperspectiveisclearbynow.AsIsurveytheScripturesIamleadto thebeliefthat: Thereisajudgementtocome.51 Thathellisaplaceoftorment. Thattherearevaryingdegreesoftorment52 Thathellisaplacethatresultsintheannihilationoftheindividual.

Ifindabsolutelynocompellingevidencethatwouldmakemethinkotherwise.There isampleevidenceinsupportofannihilation,thereislittleinsupportofeternal torment. Fromabiblicalexegetical53perspectiveIamconfidentthattheexperienceofthosein helldoesnotgoonforever. FromanethicalandphilosophicalperspectiveIamconfidentthattheexperienceof thoseinhelldoesnotgoonforever. Ihopethislittleworkhashelpedyou.

Yourssincerely
51 thisisaftertheresurrectionofallmankind 52 53 somemayspendasplitsecondthere,others,alotlonger interpretingtheScriptures

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PaulWarby 2010 APPENDIXA

TheIntermediatestate Ihavechosentofocusonthefinalstate.ThisemphasismeansthatIwillsidestep muchofthediscussionthatrevolvesaroundtheintermediatestatevs.soulsleep. Theissuewehavebeenconcernedwithiswhathappensafterthefinaljudgement? Theintermediatestateisthebeliefthatwhenapersondiestheirsoulgoesinto somekindofconsciousholdingpatternawaitingthefinaljudgement.Thisholding (intermediate)stateexistsandcontinuesalongthesametimeframeoflifeonearth andcaneitherbeaplaceofpunishing(forthosedestinedforthefinalstateofhell) oraplaceofblessedness(forthosedestinedtospendeternitywithGod). Theotherpopularalternativeofsoulsleepisthatondeaththesoulgoesintoan unconsciousstateawaitingthefinaljudgement.Thismeansthattheexperienceof thesoulfromdeathtofinaljudgement(withtheprecursorofthereunionofthesoul witharesurrectedbody)wouldbesimultaneous.

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APPENDIXB

Ismanmortalorimmortal? Thisdiscussionisthoughtbysometohaveimplicationsforthedurationofeternal stateswiththeissuebeingwhetherpeopleareintrinsicallyimmortalornot.Bythis wemeanthatifamandiesdoeshissoulnaturallycontinuetoexistordoesGod needtoprovidethisability?Ineithercasetheissuedoesnotimpactonthisstudy becauseifmanisintrinsicallyimmortalthereisnoreasonwhyGodcouldnot activelyterminatethisinnateabilityandifimmortalityisreliantonGodgivingthis abilitytohumanitythereisnoreasonHecouldnotgrantboththedamnedandthe blessedthisgift. PersonallyIfindthisdiscussiontobehugelyinfluencedbyGreekphilosophyand amnotconvincedthatitcarriesanytractionwithintheHebrewmindsetandby implicationtheScripturesthemselves.

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APPENDIXC

Theologicalapproachtolanguageuse. SinceBarrsseminalworkonsemanticsthetheologicalcommunityhasdebatedthe validityandtheextenttowhichwordsandtheirmeaningscanimpactontheological conclusions.Ihavechosentooptforcautioninthisregardingeneralbutwouldalso liketoaddafurthercautionwithregardtotheNewTestamentsmethodof borrowingterms.AsweallknowtheNewTestamentwaswritteninGreekbutwas writtenpredominantlybyJews.WhatIputforwardisthatthecloseratermor phraseistothemindsetoftheauthorthemorelikelyitisthatthetermisusedina deepsense.Whereasifthetermisborrowedfromaculturesecondarytothemindof theauthoritcarriesashallowsense.WhatdoImeanbythetermsshallowand deep?IfwelookataHebrewtermlikethelambofGodwecanassumethatthisis areferencetotheExodusandreferstothesalvationofapeopleofslaverye.t.c.Ifwe lookatatermlikeekklesiawhichwetranslatechurchwecanassumethatitrefers toagathering(asitdidforthechurchandfortheRomanekklesia)andthatitdealt withissuesofgovernance(bothforRomeandtheChurch)butitwouldbeahuge mistaketoassumethatthismeansthechurchsacrificedanimalstostarttheir meetings(thepracticeoftheRomanekklesia).Somyprincipleistobeallthemore cautiouswhenitcomestoGreektermsratherthantobuyinlockstockandbarrelto alltheimplicationsembeddedinthem.

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AppendixD

Thenatureofhellinanutshell Whatcanbesaidaboutthenatureofhell(asidefromduration)?Thathasnotbeen thefocusofthisbookbutafterbeingaskedtoaddalittlebitoflightonthesubjectI haveaddedthisappendix. Ithinkitgoeswithoutsayingthatthiswillbeasimplifiedversionbutheregoes: 1) Weepingandgnashingofteeth.Itakethistomeanemotionalpain.

2) Outerdarkness.Itakethistomeanasenseofemotionalisolationand perhapsfear. 3) Lakeoffire.Linkedtojudgementandpurification.Thepurificationoption pointstopurgatoryoruniversalismunlessweacceptthepossibilitythatjustas heavencanbeexperiencedinthisworld(Letyourkingdomcomeletyourwillbe doneonearthasitisheaven)socanhell.Afascinatingand,asyet,underdeveloped lineofthoughtwhichimpliesthatcertaintextsthatrefertohellfiremayreferto God'sjudgementonthissideofthegrave. 4) 5) Varieddegreesofpunishment. Limitedduration

6) Nohierarchy.Hellisaplaceoftormentforbothpeopleandrebelliousangels. Thispointismeanttocombattheideathatdemonsaresomehowthelabourforceof hellandthattherearerewardsinhell.Thisviewisfoundinpopularphraseslike It'sbettertoruleinhellthanserveinheaven.Thosewhogotherewishthey hadn't. Conclusion:Hellisaplaceyoudon'twanttogotoevernotforsecond.Other thanthatitgetstobeguesswork.

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Biblioghrapy

Wright,NT(2003).TheResurrectionoftheSonofGod.Minneopolis:Fortress Press.

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