Doctrine of Endless Punishment

by William Greenough Thayer Shedd

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1886. Not illustrated. ... ENDLESS PUNISHMENT. CHAPTER I. THE HISTORY OF THE DOCTRINE. The common opinion in the Ancient church was, that the future punishment of the impenitent wicked is endless. This was the catholic faith; as much so as belief in the trinity. But as there were some church fathers who deviated from the creed of the church respecting the doctrine of the trinity, so there were some who dissented from it in respect to that of eternal retribution. The deviation in eschatology, however, was far less extensive than in trinitarianism. The Semi-Arian and Arian heresies involved and troubled the Ancient church much more seriously, than did the Universalism of that period. Long controversies, ending in oecumenical councils and formulated statements, were the consequence of the trinitarian errors, but no oecumenical council, and no authoritative counter-statement, was required to prevent the spread of the tenet of Restoration. Having so little even seeming support in scripture and reason, it gradually died out of the Ancient church by its own intrinsic mortality. Neander (II., 737), speaking of the second period in his arrangement (312-590), when there was more Eestorationism than in the first, "The doctrine of eternal punishment continued, as in the preceding period, to be dominant in the creed of the church. Yet, in the Oriental church, in which, with the exception of those subjects immediately connected with the doctrinal controversies, there was greater freedom and latitude of development, many respectable church teachers still stood forth, without injuring their reputation for orthodoxy, as advocates of the opposite doctrine, until the time when the Origenistic disputes caused the agreement with Origen in respect to this point also [viz., Restorationisin] to be...

Genres: Theology

201 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 1986

About the author

William Greenough Thayer Shedd, son of the Reverend Marshall Shedd and Eliza Thayer, was an American Presbyterian theologian born in Acton, Massachusetts.

In 1835, Shedd enrolled at the University of Vermont, and became a protégé of UVM president James Marsh. Under the influence of his mentor, Shedd was deeply affected by the thought of Samuel Taylor Coleridge and Transcendentalism. He graduated from UVM in 1839 and taught school for one year, during which time he began to attend the Presbyterian church. Being called to the ministry, Shedd entered Andover Theological Seminary in 1840 and studied under theologian Leonard Woods. He graduated in 1843.

Reviews

[Mike Hernandez · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the late 1800’s G.T. Shedd wrote for a journal in defense of the biblical doctrine of eternal endless punishment as it came under attack by a Restorative doctrine. In his original article he argued from a rational and logical viewpoint that eternal retribution is more reasonable to accept than a restorative doctrine.

After his original article was published he put together this work in 1886 which includes his original ‘rational’ arguments but adds a section on church history, detailing the departure from what he believes is the truth about endless punishment. He claims there was disagreement among the early ‘church fathers’ over the state of a man’s soul after he dies and an intermediate state was pushed into the truth of the Bible. He claims this error was used to establish the doctrine of purgatory. Shedd disagrees that the Bible teaches there is an intermediate state where all disembodied spirits wait things out.

Along with this historical section he adds the biblical reasoning for eternal punishment through a Bible study of the words Sheol, Hades and Gehenna. His aim is to prove there is no such thing in the Bible as an intermediate state where the disembodied spirits of good and wicked men live together awaiting a further final state. This section was compelling.

The only criticism is he doesn’t give the references to some of his sourced material. I’m not a fan of that sort of thing. There are several grammatical errors as well to work through.

Nevertheless. I recommend this book, especially his biblical reasoning section.

[NG · Rating 5 out of 5]

From Shedd’s Dogmatic Theology. Excellent explanation of hell from a historical, biblical, and rational / philosophical perspective. Shedd also discusses the weaknesses of annihilationism / conditional mortality and universalism. One need not agree with everything Shedd says in this book / chapter. Nevertheless, this is a powerful defense of what the Christian faith teaches about the fate of the impenitent. While certainly scholarly, Shedd is not heartless and he does not rejoice in this tough doctrine. Rather, he explores the vastness of God’s mercy and the fact that hell is only necessary because of impenitence. Shedd is clear that the time for repentance is now. There will be no repentance in eternity. Shedd argues that the number of people in heaven will exceed the number of those in hell and that hell is a small part of God’s universe in contrast with the wideness of heaven and the multitude that will be there. Shedd does not think this will be the case (more in Heaven, few in Hell) due to some after death opportunity given to the dead. Rather, God will accomplish this through his gospel in history (this age). There is also the possibility that all infants and disabled will be in heaven and that God can and does use extraordinary means to lead others to Himself who never hear the gospel. Shedd emphasizes the point that this doesn’t speak to our evangelistic efforts, it speaks to the fact that God is God and works how He chooses. We must evangelize, this is the ordinary way. God can work beyond that (extraordinary). We have to let God be God and do what He tells us. We know that the judge of all the earth does what is right.

[Clarissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first half of this book was informative and interesting, but the second half was hard work in a most delightful, philosophical, and thought-provoking way. The reasons why punishment cannot be remedial and must be eternal give us a better understanding of the seriousness of sin and the danger of being impenitent. It is very well-written with beautiful and engaging sentences that must be pondered over to understand the depth of meaning. A very pertinent read for our day when few care about the seriousness or consequence of sin.

[Benjamin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Christian doctrine of endless punishment for the impenitent is ably defended both from the Scriptures and from reason and the considerations of justice. More and more we see this doctrine attacked in our day. Shedd produced a sound antidote to anti-biblical thinking. Recommended, especially for those struggling with the issue.

[Josh Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just a bit of light summer reading.

[GERALD GENTRY · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting book. One that needs to be read today.

[Monica English · Rating 3 out of 5]

It gets a bit repetitive, but it is a good read. I appreciate all the Scripture references Shedd uses to illustrate his points.

[Simon · Rating 3 out of 5]

A much needed defense of the existence and eternality of hell from the Old and New Testaments. Unfortunately, I didn't find Shedd's arguments from the Old Testament entirely convincing. For example, Shedd argues that "Sheol" is the Old Testament equivalent of "hell" and "Gehenna" in the New Testament, but there appear to be cases where it applies to both the righteous and unrighteous.

He is on much stronger ground when arguing the doctrine from the New Testament. But even there his reading can be questionable. For example, commenting on Jesus's statement "Many are called, but few are chosen," he claims that this statement doesn't apply today because it "describes the situation at the time when our Lord spoke, and not the final result of his redemptive work". He also holds out hope for some of the unevangelized.

Overall, I agreed with most of his conclusions but not always with the way he derived them.

[Han · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is tempting to disbelieve in hell. I needed this book, because I have been struggling with universal atonement. Ultimately, without hell, there is no reason that the gospel is needed. This book helped to reorient me and help me find comfort in the doctrine of hell. Comfort you ask? How odd you must be thinking. But, ultimately, I was comforted by who God is. His judgement and his mercy.

[Eli · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good book on the doctrine. Shedd's contributions are solid, though I believe more on the subject needs to be read. However, for a solid exegetical case for the doctrine of eternal punishment, look no further.

[Bill Peacock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyone who doubts the exitence of hell should get a copy of this.

[Tyrone Harbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

An awesome piece demonstrateing the biblically sound doctrine of endless punishment for the wicked after death, a real eye opener!