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Argument based on the use of the Erickson text.
Revised: July 2017
God is perfectly holy.
-Erickson writes that God is totally separate from his creation. Erickson (1994: 284).
-Erickson lists Exodus 15: 11, 1 Samuel 2: 2 and Isaiah 57: 15.
-God is absolutely pure and good; God is not evil. Erickson (1994: 285).
-Erickson lists Job 34: 12, Habakkuk 1: 13 and James 1: 13
Human beings are sinful.
-Jeremiah 17: 9, Romans Chapter 1-3, Romans 3: 23, Romans 6: 23.
Sin must be atoned.
-God is the administrator of justice and cannot justly simply forgive sins. Erickson (1994: 816). God is equally the God of love and justice. Justice is therefore not ignored for the sake of love, as a holy God must be just.
Christ as infinite God outlasted finite sin in the atonement.
-As God, Christ’s death has infinite worth. Erickson (1994: 804). As God he can atone for all finite human sin.
Christ as a perfect man was sacrificed for imperfect persons in the atonement.
-As a human, Christ could redeem other humans. Erickson (1994: 804). Christ redeemed all of human nature through the atonement. Erickson (1994: 804).
The elect exist. (Ephesians 1, Romans 8, John 15)
-God rejects those who are not elect, and they reject God.
Therefore:
Everlasting punishment exists.
-Biblically, all persons exist port-mortem (Revelation, Chapter 20). As spirit, awaiting resurrection. It could be reasoned that everlasting punishment exists as finite unregenerate persons continue to attempt to, in a sense, atone for their sins in hell, but can never fully cover their sins without Christ. Therefore they cannot justly be annihilated. Earthly sins are not covered, and post-mortem sins (rejecting God and related) in disembodied and resurrection states also remain uncovered.
ERICKSON, MILLARD (1994) Christian Theology, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House.
J.I. Packer of Regent college seems to have written much against annihilationism. Here is an article he wrote in 2002 for Christianity Today.
ReplyDeleteA more in-depth article from 1997, appears here.
Russ,
ReplyDeleteGood cartoons.
Those outside of Christ cannot justly be annihilated as their sins are never atoned.
-Biblically, all persons exist port-mortem (Revelation, Chapter 20). Unfortunately, it could be reasoned that everlasting punishment exists as finite unregenerate persons continue to attempt to atone for their sins in hell, but can never fully cover their sins without Christ. Therefore they cannot justly be annihilated. Earthly sins are not covered, and post-mortem sins (rejecting God and related) in disembodied and resurrection states also remain uncovered.
Exactly. At what point can a sinner say, "OK, my sins have been fully paid for by myself"? If a man in jail has a fine of ten million dollars that he has to pay before he can get out of jail, but he has no money, then he can never get out of jail. However, Jesus has paid our fine, so if we accept His payment for our sins and follow Him, then (and only then) can we have eternal life.
The Bible talks about eternal, never-ending punishment when it says things such as:
Isaiah 66:24 "Then they will go forth and look On the corpses of the men Who have transgressed against Me. For their worm will not die And their fire will not be quenched; And they will be an abhorrence to all mankind."
Matthew 3:12 "His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear His threshing floor; and He will gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."
Matthew 25:41 "Then He will also say to those on His left, 'Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels."
If annihilation is true, the fire would not be eternal. After everyone was annihilated, there would be no more use for Hellfire.
Thanks, Chucky.
ReplyDeleteI quoted Dr. Packer in my PhD thesis.
I came across Jason during my walk. He seems to be doing fairly well. He has not signed up for a PhD as of yet.
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Thanks, Jeff.
ReplyDeleteIn Revelation 20: 10, the devil, beast and false prophet are thrown into the lake of fire and tormented day and night forever and ever. It is quite likely that as the beast and false prophet are humans, other humans will be punished likewise as they are thrown into the lake in Revelation 20: 15.
Annihilation theology is unlikely in terms of the Book of Revelation.
Folks, the real reason that Jeff is writing on annihilation is that he's had enough break from his dissertation work to realise he ain't!
ReplyDeleteFelt like it for a while, though, didn't it, Jeff?
Hey dude, you have Jeff and I mixed up.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Robert.
Russ:)
Yeah, there was a faint "huh?" ringing between my ears (Miles of open space in there!) as I was writing it. Sorry, Bro. I guess I'll blame it on family- My grandmama would run down the whole family tree before lighting on the name of the person she was asking to get her a glass of ice water! :-D
ReplyDeleteBlessings on ya, Russ!
No problem, Robert.
ReplyDeleteYour comments are always appreciated, and I hope you will read this blog more with the slightly different format.
Russ:)
Hi Russ
ReplyDeleteAnnihilation seemed like a bit of an out to me when I first heard of it many years ago. Just be patient and it will all be over sort of stuff. Funny though because that's what a lot of people think these days.
I live with an endless hope instead of a hopeless end.
Matt 12:21
Russell.
Thanks, Russell.
ReplyDeleteHuman death exists.
Understanding what may occur after death is of primary human importance.
The Bible provides us with an answer and hope in Christ.
looks good. rick b
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rick.
ReplyDeleteRuss
I don’t necessarily agree with the concept of annihilationism, but Philip E. Hughes argues persuasively for it. At the very least, he gives some legitimate points in favor of such a view. In his excellent book, “The True Image: The Origin and Destiny of Man in Christ”, he has a chapter entitled, “Is the Soul Immortal” (Chpt. 37, pages 398-407). In this chapter, he lays out some historical points of reference with regard to how we’ve come to understand the immortality of the soul. He argues that, against popular opinion, the soul was not created immortal. He says that Man, as originally created, was potentially immortal and potentially mortal; also, as potentially sinless and potentially sinful. In arguing for this “potentiality”, he does not say that Man was created “neutral”. Hughes explains that Man was created in God’s image, “which is the bond of his personal fellowship with his Maker”, thus placing “his existence quite positively within the sphere of godliness and life.” He goes on to say about Man as originally created, “his loving and grateful concurrence with the will of God, who is the source of his life and blessedness, would have ensured the continuation of his existence in unclouded blessing as he conformed himself to that image in which he is constituted.” (As an aside, since Man did fall, it is the work of the Spirit to conform Man to the likeness of Christ, and in this way Man is restored in fulness to his true humanity as “image-bearer”) Hughes continues by saying that it was because of Man’s rebellion against God that he “passed from a positive to a negative relationship and brought the curse upon himself”. He argues that death is the “sum of that curse” and is also “the evidence that man is not inherently immortal”—soul or body.
ReplyDeleteI tend to agree with Hughes on this point, but he uses this as his springboard for his defense of annihilationism. For Hughes, because Man was not created immortal, there is no logical reason or Biblical evidence that “death” cannot mean literal death, or annihilation. For a person who has been “born again” to LIFE in Christ, “This mortal”, as Paul says, “must put on immortality”. For Hughes, Biblically death is opposite of life without regard to an “eternal existence” but with regard to “eternal finality”. And though his (very detailed) argument in the book is very interesting and quite persuasive (and in my mind, Biblically legitimate), I’ve not yet been convinced that he’s correct.
Wow…that was a rather lengthy introduction to Hughes’ thinking. Maybe I’ll just continue his argument in my own post :-)
p.s. even though he may not be correct in his defense of annihilationism, this is only one chapter (and still a very good one) out of thirty-eight--and the other thirty-eight are magnificent!
Hughes is a very good scholar. I own, and have quoted, his Hebrews commentary, for example.
ReplyDeleteSin does result in physical death, as in Romans 6: 23, and Genesis 2: 17.
-Luke 23: 43: Jesus tells the criminal on the cross, 'today you shall be with me in Paradise'. The criminal would not be resurrected that day, and so it is possible, and I reason likely, that day his spirit was in Paradise.
-Luke 16: Although the story of Lazarus and the rich man is likely parable, and Hades is a place of suffering using figurative language, I reason Hades is hell 1 for the spirit, and the lake of fire in Revelation 20 is hell 2 for the unregenerate resurrected person after judgment.
-2 Corinthians 12: Paul was in Paradise and states that he could have been there in body or apart from the body (verse 3). This seems to allow the concept that the spirit can exist separately from the body.
-Philippians 1: 23: Paul suggests he could depart and be with Christ and it is more likely that this would be in spirit form as the resurrection would not have taken place.
It is possible persons in spirit form will exist in a timeless state and will awaken at what seems instantly the resurrection, but this would be a philosophical deduction and not what I would call Biblical per say. It is also possible persons simply die, ceasing to exist entirely and then are resurrected in what to persons seems instant, but I do not see this concept in Scripture.
Thanks, GGM.
Russ:)
Hey Russ,
ReplyDeleteI have not been blogging regularly. Any way, I'm back.
I recall in Deuteronomy where a certain person would have his memory blotted out. I believe, (and I looked, breifly) there is another verse that sais something about how God will erase all memeories of persons with sever judgement.
The Deuteronomy verse is enough, though. It serves to remind us as to where we stand if we end up in the place of goats and not sheep.
Thanks very much, Jim.
ReplyDeleteI am just back from five hours of driving and searching.
My Mom needed a new computer and so we bought a new one today, and she receives this one. I therefore need to unhook and clean off her current computer, set up this computer in her room and add the wireless router card, and finally set up my new upgrade computer. Needless to say I am busy this weekend with three computers.
Russ:)
Hi Russ,
ReplyDeleteI like the cartoons. I say that those who are in Christ do not die. They just go from this life to the next. It is just another step into a greater but eternal life. But those who are not in Christ there is a place of eternal death for them. So they are eternally dieing but never annihilated. Enjoyed your post.
God Bless you!
Thanks very much, Tammy.
ReplyDeleteIt is excellent to be in Christ.
Thank you sir, for yet another interesting and thought provoking article. I am learning more theology when I read through your blogs. I like the carefully chosen pictures and cartoons that you use too. These added features create dimension and greater substance to your well written articles.
ReplyDelete-Prudent Student-
Thanks very much!
ReplyDeleteRuss,
ReplyDeleteSorry to find that you are ill. Vicki and I hope it is nothing serious and that you are feeling better soon.
If we don't hear from you soon, we'll have to put you on our church prayer list. I hope this does not sound as if I am minimizing your discomfort, however, we don't want to over react. Vicki and I will pray for your healing.
Russ,
ReplyDeleteAre you sure you are not going to regret having posted details on your blog?
If you can get to the store safely, get some Pedia Lite, or some electrolytic beverage. I have used it in times of illness and you would not believe how affective it is in aiding the body to flush out illness.
Thanks a lot Jim and Vicki.
ReplyDeleteOkay, I will edit the original comment.:)
I either have food poisoning from fish, or a stomach flue. My body is trying to get rid of something.
I appreciate the prayers. I am a bit light headed but no fever, and that is a reason I am thinking it is food poisoning. I do not desire solid food, just water, beverages, and perhaps water melon.
Russ:)
Thanks, Jim.
ReplyDeleteMy serious stomach issues appear to be over, but I had a fever today, which is new. I just took two acetaminophen which took the fever largely away. If I take too many pain killers, I vomit, and I have tried more than one kind. I know this from my first two apnea surgeries for the uvula/tonsils and nasal reconstruction as the vomiting becomes worse that the pain from the surgeries and so I use ice instead. With my uvula/tonsils surgery the surgeon torched the back of my throat with a laser and cut parts away. With the nasal surgery I ended up with a 101 degree Fahrenheit fever which went away once the packing was removed from my nose.
Russ:)
It actually sounds as if things are better for you now. Very glad to hear that you will be sleeping better with your surgery having been done.
ReplyDeleteJim
The problem is that without the mandible and maxilla jaw bones being moved ahead 12 mm, I have a degenerative disease that will cause me to be overweight, fatigued, and will shorten my life.
ReplyDeleteI need braces for a year and then I can have the jaw surgery done. I do not have the $8,000 for the braces presently.
The CPAP breathing machine at night will hopefully help somewhat for the time being.
Thanks, Jim.
Russ