annihilationism | Grace Evangelical Society

Eternal Existence vs Eternal Life

July 3, 2018 by Shawn Lazar in Blog - annihilationism, Hell, immortality of the soul

In my discussions with annihilationists, one of the conceptual roadblocks I’ve encountered is an inability to distinguish between eternal existence and having eternal life. Some annihilationists reason this way: “To have eternal life means to exist forever. Only believers have eternal life, therefore only believers will exist forever. Since unbelievers lack eternal life, they will

Tartarus 2 Peter 2:4

May 21, 2018 by Shawn Lazar in Blog - annihilationism, ECT, Fallen Angels, Tartarus

The Bible is much stranger than people allow. That’s where theology can go wrong—by trying to make it less strange than it is. I have been exploring the topic of “hell” in a series of blog posts, explaining the Biblical reasons that lead me to accept eternal conscious torment (ECT) over and against annihilationism and

Can Spirits Think?

May 9, 2018 by Shawn Lazar in Blog - annihilationism, conciousness, Hades, Spirits, universalism

I have dialogued with several people who deny there can be conscious experiences without a physical body. I have heard this objection from both annihilationists and universalists. I don’t know if that is a majority position in either camp, but it has come up enough that I should address it. They claim that once

Life After Death in the Old Testament

May 2, 2018 by Shawn Lazar in Blog - annihilationism, Death, disembodied spirits, Eternal Concious Torment, Hell, torment, universalism

Did the Hebrews have a concept of the soul’s life after death? Did they believe the dead continued to exist as disembodied spirits? Many (but not all) who believe in annihilationism and universalism deny it. They say the idea that the soul survives the death of the body comes from Plato, not the Bible. Why

Where the Worm Does Not Die Mark 9:48; cf. vv 44, 46

April 23, 2018 by Shawn Lazar in Blog - annihilationism, ECT, Edward Fudge, Gehenna, Hell

Jesus described the state of those in Gehenna with these terrifying words, “Their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched” (Mark 9:48). I’ve been comparing the eternal conscious torment (ECT) view with annihilationism in a series of blog posts. How does each view deal with this verse? The Annihilationist Interpretation Edward

The Dead Still Exist Revelation 20:12-15

April 3, 2018 by Shawn Lazar in Blog - annihilationism, last judgment, life after death, Revelation

Annihilationists agree with the eternal conscious torment view (ECT) that some people will be forever separated from God. However, annihilationists say that separation involves being put out of existence. They strongly deny the wicked will be tormented forever. Which view is true? I have been exploring this question in a series of blog posts. Consider