Category Archives: e-Teachings

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The Hell Debate, Part 3 – Annihilationism

Annihilation or Eternal Torture?

I so appreciate all the feedback I’ve received regarding my last two e-teachings. The majority has been positive and encouraging, and those that expressed disagreement have been, for the most part, written with kindness and respect. I am amazed at the interest in this topic, and that people take the time to read these especially long e-teachings.

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I have discovered that the subject of the nature of hell can be a very touchy subject for some folks. And I’ve also learned, from feedback I’ve received, that many Christians and Christian leaders who believe in just punishment followed by annihilation keep their belief secret for fear of the repercussions. So let me declare again, from the outset, my love for those who see things differently than me. I was on their side of this issue for four decades, and I know how difficult it can be to have long-held beliefs challenged. The important thing is that we strive to be “Bereans” who “examine the Scriptures daily, to see whether these things are so” (Acts 17:11).

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The Hell Debate, Part 2 – Annihilationism

A Continued Look at Annihilationism

This month I’d like to continue building on last month’s e-teaching, in which I gave a brief introduction to what theologians refer to as annihilationism, the doctrine that the unrighteous will not suffer eternal conscious torment, but that they will, after being justly punished according to their deeds, be annihilated and cease to exist. A related doctrine, known as conditional immortality, embraces the idea that immortality is not automatically possessed by all, but is only granted as a gift to those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ (as we read in Rom. 6:23).

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Annihilationism is definitely a minority belief among Christians. Most of us believe that the unrighteous will be tortured forever in the lake of fire. Yet I would bet that most of us would prefer not to believe that. We must, however, stick with what the Bible teaches whether we like it or not.

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The Hell Debate – Annihilationism

A Consideration of Annihilationism

How difficult it is to escape a theological rut. Once my doctrinal wagon wheels roll into one, they just want to remain in the path of least resistance. So I avoid listening to anything that might challenge my position, and I keep moving straight ahead…in the rut carved out before me.

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Blessed are those whose wagon God occasionally jars, giving them a chance to see some light. Still, it is quite easy to fall right back down into that rut—where it seems so much safer. Down in the rut there is no risk of being criticized by everyone else whose doctrinal wheels are following the same well-worn groove. So we all keep singing I Shall Not Be Moved while the Lord is singing Amazing Boneheadedness.

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How to Keep Poor People Poor

Back in the late ’80s, I had an opportunity to travel inside the Eastern European nation of Romania, which at that time was in its fifth decade of communism. It was a country that was crumbling. I witnessed empty store shelves, food lines, and the dreary faces of people in survival mode. Meanwhile, their megalomaniac ruler, Nicolae Ceauşescu, pampered himself in mansions scattered about the country that were filled with marble, art, antiques and gold-fixtured bathrooms.

About the only happy person I met in Romania was an elderly Seventh Day Adventist pastor who lived in a weathered little house in a small Romanian village. He was, in fact, bubbling with joy, and he told me that the reason he was so blessed was because he loved God with all his heart, mind, soul and strength. Visiting with him was a delight.

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Christians in Politics?

Since publishing my e-teachings earlier this year on the moral issues of abortion and government theft, I’ve been involved in some very interesting conversations regarding the proper role of Christians in politics and government. Christians definitely do not all agree on the subject, and to my utter astonishment, do not all agree with me! (Imagine that.) Some of my friendly detractors have provoked me to re-examine my own convictions and dig more deeply into Scripture. This e-teaching is a result of that deeper dig.

First, it goes without saying that the gospel is superior to the government in the matter of changing people’s behavior. The gospel has power to transform sinners into people who don’t need laws to restrain them from crimes such as thievery and murder. No one is arguing about that. You may have noticed, however, that not everyone is receptive to the gospel that has the power to transform them. Most people continue all of their lives in their rebellion and unbelief. And as God patiently hopes and waits for rebels to respond and be transformed by His grace, He uses a secondary means to restrain them from sin, and that means is human government. Laws established by human governments not only serve to restrain unregenerate people from doing evil, but they also function as standards whereby those who are not restrained by the law can be judged, punished, and hopefully reformed to a degree.

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Christians for Hitler

Last month’s e-teaching, with the semi-incendiary title, About Time to Abort the Abortionists, elicited varied reactions. Not everyone sent me an “Amen,” and so this month I’m including a few excerpts from responses that I thought you would find interesting. In most cases, I’ve added my own reaction to the comments I received. You’ll have to keep reading to find out why I’ve titled this month’s e-teaching Christians for Hitler. Thanks to everyone who sent their feedback. I enjoyed reading all of it. Now on to the responses…

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About Time to Abort the Abortionists

After publishing my February e-teaching, entitled Government Theft, I was cautioned by some readers to avoid wading into political issues. Yet quite a few others encouraged me with their feedback, reminding me that most of the pressing political issues of our day are fundamental moral issues. To avoid speaking about such issues purely because they are political is to avoid speaking about moral issues that matter greatly to God. And if moral issues matter to God they should also matter to those who pray every day, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Moreover, if those moral issues do truly matter to those who profess to be God’s people, they will act like it. If they have any power to do something that might help God’s will to be done on earth, they will do it.

I did my best in my February e-teaching to establish the fundamental evil of theft as it is clearly revealed in Scripture. No thieves will inherit eternal life, so genuine Christians do not steal, nor do they collaborate with thieves. For that reason, we cannot vote for political candidates (regardless of their political party) who are in favor of accumulating a national debt so immense that it will inevitably be passed on to our children and grandchildren, which amounts to stealing the future earnings of our own offspring. This is a fundamental moral issue. Politicians who ignore it are simply not worthy to hold office, and it is the responsibility of the electorate to vote such politicians out of office lest we share culpability for their sin. Let me say it more boldly: If we vote to put thieves in office or vote to keep them in office—thieves who would steal the future earnings of our children and grandchildren—we cast a vote for theft, endorsing and promoting what God hates and thus, by our actions, deny that we know Him.

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Feedback to “Government Theft”

Dear Friends, I’ve always wanted to share with you some of the diverse feedback that I receive in response to my monthly e-teachings, and this month, I’m going to do it. Last month’s e-teaching, entitled Government Theft, triggered a lot of feedback, from which I’ve quoted some excerpts below. You will be surprised, I expect, and hopefully blessed by some of the comments I received. Our readers have some very diverse opinions, and I’ve selected some of the most interesting feedback, rather than just what was purely affirmative. For the sake of space, I whittled thirty-two responses down to eight. I’ve also added my reaction to some of the feedback below. I hope you enjoy what everyone has written as much as I have! And thanks to all who sent feedback. — David

Excellent, David… what do [you] think about…”re-booting” the economy with a “Jubilee” concept…I keep hearing that it is actually impossible to get out of debt now as a nation… — Michael

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Government Theft

Introductory note: Although I have delved into a political topic this month, please note that it is also a very relevant moral topic, and I first lay a biblical foundation for my thoughts. When a nation ignores the eighth commandment, it suffers the inevitable consequences, as we are now. — David

You shall not steal….You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet…anything that belongs to your neighbor (Ex. 20:15, 16).

Most people, Christians and non-Christians alike, agree that it is wrong to take what belongs to someone else. Every nation and culture has laws against theft. The God-given conscience of every human resonates with a built-in knowledge that stealing is ethically wrong.

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To Ponder with Prayer

When a new year begins, it seems like a natural time to make evaluations about the past year and plan changes for the new one, which many people do. Followers of Christ, of course, are evaluating their lives much more frequently than once every twelve months. Still, there is something special about the start of a new year. So as 2010 begins, I would like to suggest that we reflect on getting “back to the basics.” I’m speaking, in fact, of the most basic of the basics. If we focus on that one thing, our spiritual lives become much less complicated, and everything else falls into place. That most basic thing is, of course, loving God.

Below are seven short thoughts to prayerfully ponder about loving God. I recommend taking them slowly, one at a time, with some pause for reflection. Or better, focus on just one each day for the next seven days during your daily prayer time.