Clothesline

Greetings to all on 5 SEP 2006

Note: There was no August issue due to other commitments.

Word for the Day - another two for one
Hades [Greek] or Sheol [Hebrew] - the grave, resting place of the dead

Gehenna [geenna -Gk] - the Aramaic form of the Hebrew gehinnom which means the Valley of Hinnom; the “city dump” where the fire burned continually. Both words are translated as hell in the NT.

Quote for the Day
“It is possible to learn all about the mysteries of the Bible and never be afected by it in one’s soul. Great knowledge is not enough.”
John Bunyan, The Pilgrim’s Progress [1]

Website for the Day
www.edwardfudge.com
Check out his article on the Two Views of Hell, as well as other insightful writings.

Thought for the DayThis summer has been extremely busy and I’ve not had enough time to read and meditate. However, I have been reading through F. LaGard Smith’s book AfterLife and would like to share some insights from that book. [2] Smith challenges some of our long-held beliefs about the afterlife based on his exhaustive (and sometimes exhausting) study. So hang on to your hat and open your mind as we focus on the doctrines of eternal punishment and soul-sleep.

Most of us grew up with the teaching of hell as an eternal punishment of the wicked. The older among us can even remember those “hell fire and damnation” sermons. But, what if we have misunderstood the nature of punishment? In Matthew 10.28 we hear the warning of Jesus, “do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both body and soul in hell [gehenna].” Notice the phrase “destroy both the body and soul.”

Fire is a recurring metaphor for punishment in both the OT and the NT. Smith posits the question, “Is it a fire which torments, or a fire which consumes?” [3] Let’s consider some texts that speak to the concept of final destruction.

1. Nadab and Abihu were consumed by fire [LEV 9.24-10.2]
2. The people in Korah’s rebellion were consumed [NUM 16.35]
3. The people in Noah’s time were annilhilated [GEN 6.7,17]
4. Lot’s wife [GEN 19.26]
5. Achan was destroyed by fire [JOS 7.15]
6. People destroyed like the flame devours the stubble [JOE 2.3-5]

Many other passages are listed in his book; hopefully this sampling makes the point that various “destructions” of the OT were swift and final. Malachi also speaks of nothing left except the “ashes under the soles of your feet.” [MAL 4.1-3] Jesus speaks of the branch that is good for nothing except to be thrown into the fire and burned. [JOH 15.6] In Revelation 20.14-15, John tells us about the lake of fire that is the second death - the death that destroys both body and soul.

Now some will respond by asking about the words eternal and unquenchable that are sometimes linked to final punishment. Further study reveals that those words speak to the origin and certainty of punishment more so than the duration. Consider Jude 7 which refers to the “eternal fire” which destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. In Luke 3.17 we read about the “unquenchable fire” which burns up the chaff. The fire may never go out (as in the Gehenna) but the combustible material becomes ash. As a bit of serendipity, this theory of punishment instantly defuses the argument of agnostics/atheists that a loving God could not possibly sentence people to unending torment.

Another question is what happens immediately upon death. We know that the body returns to dust; but what about the soul? Perhaps you’ve heard the phrase “soul-sleep” which refers to the intermediate state between physical death and resurrection. Smith argues that this is accurate, i.e. the body is in a sort of suspended animation awaiting the resurrection. For the deceased the transition from death to resurrection seems immediate just as our waking from a sound night’s sleep seems as if no time has passed. We may hear at the eulogy that someone has “gone on to their reward;” but I believe we understand that no one gets to heaven without passing through the judgement at the end of time.

Jesus and Paul used the phrase “sleep” for what we would call dead. Consider the following examples.

1. Jairus’ daughter - not dead but sleeping [LUK 8.52]
2. those who have fallen asleep [1COR 15.20 & 1THE 4.13]

If any of this has triggered your curiosity to dig deeper I would highly recommend that you get a copy of AfterLife and study the topic with someone. Or maybe you disagree with Smith’s conclusion; either way the book is an excellent study guide of all the verses related to the afterlife.

The desire for immortality seems deeply engrained into mankind. Luke records two instances of people asking how to obtain eternal life. [LUK 10.25 & 18.18] So God sent the sin solution in the form of his son to offer us everlasting life. [JOH 3.16] Jesus did not come to say follow me - or else - but follow me and enjoy the abundant life. [JOH 10.10] We still have the choice to make between the eternal punishment of annihilation or immortality. Without Jesus, sin brings death to us all. [ROM 6.23] Simon Peter said, “You have the words of eternal life.” [JOH 6.68] Now it all makes sense.

May God Bless
Mike Toole
clw, ed.

1. Reflections, Christianity Today, September 2006, p.112

2. F. LaGard Smith, AfterLife, Cotswald Publ., Nashville TN, 2003

3. ibid. p.168