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Annihilationism v. being in torment for eternity.....

Acts-perienced Poster Posts: 11798 **9/12/15 10:13 am**

Does annihilationism conflict with pentecostal doctrine? Do you feel embracing annihilationism is heretical? A very good and strong argument could be made for such.....

I am specifically talking about those who reject Christ, their spirit ceases to exist versus spending forever and ever in torment after passing from this life.

My wife and I had this discussion recently....what sayeth the hive?

Re: Annihilationism v. being in torment for eternity.....

Acts-dicted Posts: 8065 **9/12/15 10:46 am**

Acts-pert Poster Posts: 16509 **9/12/15 12:13 pm**

I am a firm believer in conditionalism. Does the soul live forever? Who has eternal life? Would God, in all of His love and mercy and the one who taught us to love our enemies keep a soul alive for the purpose of torture? What does John 3:16 mean? There is so much more but I am convinced that the way we were taught about eternal punishment is wrong. I am NOT going to debate it here, it's how I believe and I respect the beliefs of others. I will direct you to the ministry of Edward Fudge. I have come to know this man who has studied it as much or more than anyone I know. Check out the videos on his website at www.edwardfudge.com. Blessings!

Acts-pert Poster Posts: 15570 **9/12/15 1:28 pm**

Yes, annihilationism conflicts with Pentecostal doctrine, it does not reflect classical Pentecostal theology; rather, it smacks more of Jehovah's Witness cult theology or the more recent error of Rob Bell. The name Edward Fudge is appropriate for the teaching he propagates, i.e., his Fudge candy coats the truth of eternity without God.

Acts-dicted Posts: 8065 **9/12/15 3:53 pm**

Acts-pert Poster Posts: 15570 **9/12/15 4:03 pm**

[Insert Acts Pun Here] Posts: 13654 **9/12/15 4:30 pm**

The argument that a loving God would never allow people He created to suffer eternally sounds compelling, but in my opinion it is divorced from a biblical understanding of how serious sin is. It seems that to us that He would never do that only because we don't understand how serious sin is to Him.

Hon. Dr. in Acts-celeratology Posts: 5657 **9/12/15 5:46 pm**

Well said Dave.
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Poimen
Bro. Christopher

Singing: "Let us then be true and faithful -- trusting, serving, everyday. Just one glimpse of Him in glory will the toils of life repay."

annihilationism doesn't make sense to me

Hon. Dr. in Acts-celeratology Posts: 5657 **9/12/15 5:53 pm**

If annihilationism is true then what practical difference does it really make if one chooses to live in sin, to deny the existence of God, etc.???

If the end result is simply ceasing to exist why wouldn't an unregenerate person want to gratify themselves and their desires all they could? What compulsion to deny themselves and turn from sin does believing in God, Jesus, and eternal life really give them without an experiential consequence in the afterlife? Of what use is the warning of coming judgment if the ultimate sentence is merely nonexistence?
_________________
Poimen
Bro. Christopher

Singing: "Let us then be true and faithful -- trusting, serving, everyday. Just one glimpse of Him in glory will the toils of life repay."

[Insert Acts Pun Here] Posts: 12817 **9/12/15 5:59 pm**

I remain convinced by the Scriptures of eternal conscious torment, though not because I personally wouldn't prefer annihilationism or even universalism. In any case, it is perhaps important to note that Charles F. Parham, the original formulator of the initial evidence doctrine as well as the fourfold gospel message, himself was an ardent proponent of conditional immortality/annihilation of the wicked. Doesn't mean it's necessarily true, but it certainly is not completely outside the pale of historic Pentecostalism.

[Insert Acts Pun Here] Posts: 12817 **9/12/15 6:02 pm**

Most annihilationists I have studied have not said a person just ceases to exist. What they claim is that God resurrects the wicked dead, judges them, and once they have suffered sufficiently, God annihilates them.

Hon. Dr. in Acts-celeratology Posts: 5657 **9/12/15 6:26 pm**

[Insert Acts Pun Here] Posts: 12817 **9/12/15 6:33 pm**

Poimen,

I agree. In my view, annihilationism (and it's close cousin, universalism) misrepresents the issues of sin, moral agency/personhood and atonement.

[Insert Acts Pun Here] Posts: 12817 **9/13/15 10:45 am**

[Insert Acts Pun Here] Posts: 12817 **9/13/15 11:19 am**

Here is an excellent article examining the question of annihilationism and eternal torment:

http://www.bible-researcher.com/hell4.html

But we need to step back from what we have

Acts-perienced Poster Posts: 11798 **9/13/15 7:51 pm**

traditionally been taught. What does the bible say? We have interpreted in time past the spiritual death means being alive but in sin.....really?

I have been under the weather the past few days and will check out some links.

I remember Eddie posting something a few years ago.....would you have 5 children if you knew 3 of them would go to hell? Will we know there's another set of the populations that is burning forever and ever in torment?

Believing in annihilation of the spirit and soul is not heretical.

01000001 01100011 01110100 01110011 Posts: 24285 **9/13/15 9:34 pm**

I remember as a child thinking I wanted to live right so I would not go to Hell. As I grew older and learned to WORSHIP our Lord, I wanted to live right so I could go to be with my Lord and God forever.

I can remember the time folks seemed to have joy to think that their adversaries would 'burn in Hell forever' while they feasted at Jesus's Table. I don't think for a minute they pictured their family, sons and daughters there also.

I worship a True God, a Just God, and KNOW his wisdom is infinitely above this mind of mine. His judgement will be just and honorable. I can only leave it to Him and work to get more folk in contact with Him. This soul will not complain at who is heaven with me, I just want to be there. Cool

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Hon. Dr. in Acts-celeratology Posts: 5657 **9/13/15 10:59 pm**

Re: Annihilationism v. being in torment for eternity.....

Acts Enthusiast Posts: 1021 **9/14/15 10:31 am**

Re: Annihilationism v. being in torment for eternity.....

Acts-pert Poster Posts: 15570 **9/14/15 10:58 am**