Conditional Immortality: Biblical proof of Annihilation in Hell.

by Douglas Barry

A growing number of well-known Christian leaders, such as Dr. David R. Reagan, John R. Stott, Greg Boyd, Roger Forster (co-founder of the March for Jesus events), Philip Hughes, Michael Green, Stephen Travis, and Clark Pinnock have declared support for part, or all, of the biblical doctrine of "conditional immortality." Even the British Bible translator, William Tyndale, also defended Conditional Immortality during his lifetime. Also, the very well respected scholar F.F. Bruce states, "Eternal conscious torment is incompatible with the revealed character of God" so he chose to write the forward to an excellent evangelical book on this topic called, "The Fire that Consumes" by Edward Fudge. While some call it annihilationism, simply stated, "Conditional Immortality" is the biblical belief that the "immortality" of the soul is not inherent (Greek philosophers thinking) but conditional (Biblical thinking) upon receiving the gift of everlasting life through faith in Jesus (Yeshua in Hebrew). It is part and parcel of the gospel. God alone has immortality -- anyone else becomes immortal only as a result of God's gracious gift (1 Timothy 6:16, Romans 2:7). For centuries, church theologians have wrongly assumed the Greek doctrine of the immortality of all souls. Therefore, it is no wonder that the message of immortality has been completely dropped from modern preaching. I ask you, when have you ever heard a message offering "immortality" as part of the gospel presentation? It is almost never done, because today most people falsely assume the soul is already immortal. Yet, immortality through Jesus (Yeshua) alone is what the Jewish Apostle Paul (He/Jesus), has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. (2 Timothy 1:9b-10)Paul clearly links immortality to the gospel. Paul did not believe the Greek philosophy of his day which taught the immortality of all souls. Before the Messiah, Jesus, came, no one had a chance at immortality because of sin. If they did, then Paul's statement would make no sense. Why would immortality come through the gospel if all had it from birth? The gospel would not have brought about immortality - since all had it. But immortality is uniquely and only with believers...Here is an actual comment (one of many) gotten after reading this scriptural you so much for the wealth of solid biblical insight you have given.I grew up attending several different denominations of Christian churches, and I was taught the traditional view of hell. All the churches I have attended as an adult have taught the traditional view. I've always wondered why the word, "perish" didn't actually mean "perish" or "be destroyed". I was taught that it meant "be eternally tormented". I have always wondered why the Bible said eternal life was a gift if it was something we already were going to have no matter where we ended up. Now I know I was right to question these things. Paul never preached about eternal torment, only of the gift of eternal life one could receive by putting their faith in Jesus. How sad it is that so many people only hear of a God that will send them to hell where He will torment them eternally instead of the God who gives eternal life as a gift because of His great love. -- HeidiSo read this book to see how unbiblical the concept of the immortality of the unsaved soul is. Immortality is reserved only for those who put their faith in Jesus. All the rest are destroyed (not preserved) (see Matthew 10:28) after a period of time. They will suffer no more and no less than their sins deserve - then will be destroyed forever.God is just and Holy.... but not cruel

87 pages, Paperback

First published March 13, 2013

Reviews

[Nick Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a “to the point” and firmly biblical resource proving the doctrine of Conditional Immortality.

I am honestly shocked at the lack of support this doctrine has had in church history, and I believe it unfortunately stems from pastors who have felt the need to use Eternal Conscious Torment as a fear tactic in their evangelism rather than faithfully interpreting the biblical view of the soul. Inherent immorality of the soul is a Greek Philosophy, not a Biblical concept. If you disagree, order this book on Amazon for $5, read it with an open mind, and let me know where you land.

A challenge to those who disagree:
“We are so persuaded by our position, and so confident in the Scriptural evidence presented, that we honestly do not believe that anyone who shares our faith in the final authority of Scripture will be able to cling to endless torment after reading this entire publication and the suggested readings.”

The Biblical evidence is too strong to ignore, and it truly fits the just, yet merciful character of God as revealed in scripture.

(Conditional immortality is not the view that the unsaved are not punished, but that they are punished in just proportion to their sin and then ultimately destroyed and that immortality is a gift only given by God to the saved through the gospel)

“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew 10:28

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

“but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” 2 Timothy 2:10

“eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality.” Romans 2:7

“I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever” John 6:51

…and many more!

[Steven H · Rating 5 out of 5]

A ‘MESSIANIC’ EVANGELICAL EXPLAINS AND DEFENDS CONDITIONALISM

Author Douglas Barry wrote in the first chapter of this 2013 book, “Conditional Immortality is the biblical belief that ‘immortality’ of the soul is not inherent (Greek philosophers thinking) but conditional (Biblical thinking) upon receiving the gift of everlasting life through faith in Jesus (Yeshua)… God alone has immortality---anyone else becomes immortal ONLY as a result of God’s gracious gift… For centuries, church theologians have wrongly assumed the Greek doctrine of the immorality of all souls. Therefore, it is no wonder that the message of immortality has been completely dropped from modern preaching. I ask you, when have you ever heard a message offering ‘immortality’ as part of the gospel presentation? It is almost never done, because today most people falsely assume the soul is already immortal. Yet immortality through Jesus (Yeshua) alone is what the Jewish Apostle Paul preached: ‘He [Jesus] has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.’" (2 Tim 1:9b-10)” (Pg. 7)

He clarifies, “And before you may falsely conclude that those who hold to ‘conditional immortality’ believe the lost do not suffer at all for their sins, it is very obvious that they do… The future they face on judgment day is (1) suffering in proportion to their sins---then (2) destruction. Yet all the lost will NOT receive the same amount of suffering for their sins BEFORE they are destroyed. God will see that they receive the exact amount of ‘stripes’ they deserve. Some (like Hitler) will receive very many ‘stripes.’ Others will receive ‘few.’ … AFTER they have received their appropriate ‘stripes,’ then they will ‘perish’ as John 3:16 states… Also, in regards to suffering, scripture seems to indicate that what the lost have suffered here on earth, for their sins, may actually count as ‘partial payment’ then. (Isa 40:2)” (Pg. 9-10)

He notes, “Jesus did NOT mention Gehenna (translated as hell) more than a half a dozen occasions… and almost all are in the gospel of Matthew. In His day, the Valley of Hinnom… had been used for centuries by inhabitants of Jerusalem as their local garbage dump… where the garbage was burned until it was gone, but they would have known nothing about a place where people are burned alive forever in an immortal state.” (Pg. 14-15)

After quoting Luke 12:47-48, he comments, “The adjectives ‘many’ and ‘few’ in Luke 12 could not be used if eternal conscious torment were what He was teaching here. He would have used ‘heavier’ or ‘lighter’ if the duration of conscience sufferings were eternal.” (Pg. 22)

After quoting Matthew 10:28 [‘the One who can DESTROY both soul and body in Gehenna’], he states, “It is Jesus who gives us the truly critical and pivotal scripture for understanding the fate of the lost soul---that is can and will be DESTROYED. It will die… on Judgment Day at the end of the age.” (Pg. 41)

He explains, “The punishment… of sin according to scripture is always DEATH. Romans 6:23 and many other scriptures state this very clearly… And how long will this punishment of death last?.. He tells them it is eternal punishment. It is a complete shame that believers have such a low view of the gift of life and existence from God that they do not believe having a person’s life removed is a punishment. Yet it IS a punishment. And that punishment will last forever.” (Pg. 43)

What about the Rich Man and Lazarus in Luke 16?: "there is sufficient reason for understanding this passage of scripture as a parable. (1) The previous four stories were all parables… (2) The parable in Luke 16… also began with the SAME EXACT WORDS… The Greek word used in this passage is NOT Gehenna (hell), but it is Hades (temporary abode of the dead). It is a different Greek word.” (Pg. 43-44)

What about Revelation 14:11? “What about the word ‘forever’; doesn’t the text say torment will go on forever? No. Read it very carefully. It clearly says ‘the SMOKE’ will rise forever. Smoke rising forever is MUCH different than torment going on forever.” (Pg. 46)

What about Revelation 20:10, “which says the devil and the beast and the false prophet will be tormented forever? They will indeed be tormented forever; however, they are NOT HUMANS. Jesus says Gehenna (hell) was specifically made for Satan and demons (Mt 25:41)… John himself tells us [about] … ‘the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit’ (Rev 11:7). This ‘beast’ is NOT a human being. Humans do not come out of this pit… NOTE: when the devil or the beast and the false prophet were thrown in the lake of fire, we read no word about a “Second Death,’ but … when human beings are thrown in there, it says ‘Second Death.’” (Pg. 51)

He argues, “If eternal torment is true, it really means abortion is ultimately a good thing… Most conservative theologians would rightfully place these little ones in heaven for eternity. However, consider the alternative. If millions of these aborted precious little ones were left to… birth, ALL would grow up to be sinners and the majority would probably never accept Jesus as adults… Therefore, the majority of these people would be tormented forever.” (Pg. 56-57)

He observes, “If eternal torment is true, then where is this plain teaching in the Tenach (Old Testament)? Isn’t it hard to believe that such an important teaching as eternal torment has NO CLEAR VERSES stating this fate in the Old Testament?… How could God have warned Israel in detail about punishments in this life, droughts, plagues, and other punishments and not say one word about the most important issue, eternal torment?” (Pg. 61)

He quotes a number of verses supporting the Conditionalist interpretation, and observes, “would it not be strange and totally inconsistent ... if, on judgment day, [God] sentenced his human enemies to never-ending conscious torment---a sadistic, unjust, merciless sentence diametrically opposed to his consistent, unchanging character? Of course it would. Notice clearly in all the above texts that God does not sadistically torture these people perpetually with fire. No, the fire CONSUMES them. No doubt there’s an amount of terror and conscious pain to this type of execution, but it’s not sadistically never-ending---it mercifully results in death.” (Pg. 72-73)

This concise and clear statement will be of great interest to Christians studying Conditional Immortality.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect little handbook to give a friend
Who believes EcT but thinks it’s crazy.

This little book as allllll the main biblical arguments covered