Tackling the Thorny Issue of Hell

RE: Tackling the Thorny Issue of Hell [Blog for Fri, July 15, 2011]

“”Twitter was aflame with words like "universalism" and "annihilationism." Theological terms regarding eternity were being discussed openly””

Re: Contemporary Issues Collection and others on HELL
RE: Hell: A Hard Look at a Hard Question
“ He presents a convincing and scholarly case for the view that the unrighteous will forfeit resurrection life in the Kingdom of God.” [IMHO that is the universal view of most Christians [except perhaps for those that take the stand of "universalism"] what I need is a balanced discussion on all of the stands – need not be in one book ]

Question: What books cover the subjects and is that book pro or con on the subject of "universalism", “annihilationism", “eternal punishment” and any other belief on the subject of what happens to the bad ones?

As a start:
The Doctrine of Endless Punishment by William G. T. Shedd, D.D. – Pro endless punishment
Eternal Punishment by Arthur W. Pink – Pro endless punishment – con Universalists – con annihilationism

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Comments

DMB

Wow ... great way to start another 'theological weekend'. Ah yes, 'the bad ones'.

Plus, if you're a pastor, that illustrative graphic on the blog will really catch your congregation's attention too!

Paul N

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/268883#Comment_268883

This resource may more or less be a survey but I bought it simply off the description:

The Other Side of Good News: Confronting the Contemporary Challenges to Jesus' Teaching on Hell
by Larry Dixon

from the description:

"Dixon looks at three alternative views to the traditional doctrine of hell, universalism, annihilationism and post-mortem conversion. In the last chapter he asks "Does it make any difference what view Christians hold about the other side?" and "Can there be alternative positions within the church?"

Rich DeRuiter

Question: What books cover the subjects and is that book pro or con on the subject of "universalism", “annihilationism", “eternal punishment” and any other belief on the subject of what happens to the bad ones?

I'd start with a good systematic theology. The topical index, if complete, should discuss all the relevant views on these things in a succinct way. Searching for these terms either with the search dialog, or just with CTRL-F within the resource, can get you to the discussion quickly.

David Ames

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/268895#Comment_268895

Searching for these terms either with the search dialog,[...] can get you to the discussion quickly.

Yes, but what resources should we add and what is the bias of these resources [I like to review all views but some only want to review one]

[I seem to have very little pro “annihilationism" in my library]

George Somsel

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/268984#Comment_268984

[I seem to have very little pro “annihilationism" in my library]

There is always the Christmas carol with its chorus of "No hell, no hell, no hell, no hell. Born is the King ..." [:D] [6]

Rich DeRuiter

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/268984#Comment_268984

Yes, but what resources should we add and what is the bias of these resources [I like to review all views but some only want to review one]

The bias of the systematic theologian is typically stated quite clearly early in the work. A systematic theology like Berkhof's (e.g.) will also name some of the proponents of views he opposes - which may aid your research.

[I seem to have very little pro “annihilationism" in my library]

Which tells you something about the acceptance of this view by the authors in your library. It is a very minority position among otherwise orthodox Christians (using the broadest definition of the term 'Christian'). Among those who hold a high view of Scripture I'd suggest it's very, very difficult to find anyone who holds the view. But I'm not as widely read as some in this area.

George Somsel

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/268984#Comment_268984

[I seem to have very little pro “annihilationism" in my library]

I find this

McKim, Donald K. and David F. Wright. Encyclopedia of the Reformed Faith. 1st ed. Louisville, Ky.; Edinburgh: Westminster/John Knox Press; Saint Andrew Press, 1992.

Dale, Robert William (1829–1895)

English Congregational minister and theologian. Dale was educated at Spring Hill College, Birmingham. He Joined John Angell James at Carr’s Land Chapel, Birmingham (1853; in charge, 1859–1895), and was active in many areas of civic life and theological education. He was also a prolific writer. His theological reputation rests on The Atonement (1875), in which he attempted an ethical rather than a forensic defense of penal substitution. Alive to modern thought, yet rooted in the faith of the ages, Dale caused some distress when he embraced annihilationism.

A staunch churchman, Dale was chairman of the Congregational Union of England and Wales (1869; he left the Union over the Irish question [1888]) and first president of International Congregational Council (1891). A Manual of Congregational Principles (1884) was followed by his History of English Congregationalism (1907), which was finished by his son.

—————————

DNB A. W. W. Dale, The Life of R. W. Dale of Birmingham (1898); L. H. Hough, Dr. Dale After Twenty—five years (1922); M. D. Johnson, The Dissolution of Dissent, 1850–1918 (1987).

ALAN P. F. SELL

Greg

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/268984#Comment_268984

[I seem to have very little pro “annihilationism" in my library]

David,

Although I don't think he's in Logos, a book that's been out for a while that argues for annihilationism, or conditionalism as the author calls it, is called "The Fire That Consumes: A Biblical and Historical Study of the Doctrine of Final Punishment" by Edward Fudge.

I haven't read the book yet, but I intend to sometime this year. This link here will link you to an interview with the author explaining some of his book and his argument. I find the idea intriguing and I look forward to reading his book.

Greg