Customer Reviews

The Fire That Consumes: A Biblical and Historical Study of the Doctrine of Final Punishment

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Edward Fudge presents excellent Biblical and exegetical arguments refuting the long traditional belief and doctrine about hell. The Bible teaches eternal punishment. But what is that eternal punishment? Is it eternal suffering or ultimately eternal destruction or loss of life? Is God's righteous wrath an end in itself or is God's righteous wrath a means to an end? Will a holy God allow sin and sinner to exist eternally in hell? Is eternal suffering necessary to satisfy God's eternal justice? Does the Bible really teach that everyone has an immortal soul? If the wicked will not suffer eternally how do we explain phrases in Scripture such as "unquenchable fire", "eternal fire", " ... where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth forever and ever." How can we logically and Biblically explain such phrases if those who go to hell will not suffer eternally? Edward Fudge Biblically answers these questions in his book "The Fire That Consumes." For those who may be interested I supplement what Edward Fudge says in my essay "The Bible Vs. The Traditional View of Hell" which can be found on my website at www.religionscience.com. In my essay I also answer some vexing problems and questions not answered in Edward Fudge's book. I am an educated and Reformed Baptist who believes in the Biblical doctrine of conditional immortality and the ultimate final annihilation and eternal destruction of the wicked.

Fudge is not a Bible rejecting liberal who cannot believe that a loving God could send anyone to hell. Rather, he is a solidly conservative Bible believing scholar who is determined to root his faith and doctrine in Scripture. As such, he makes a very compelling argument from Scripture that the soul is not immortal. He deals, exaustively and effectively, with each of the proof texts that traditionalists use to support the idea that hell is a conscious eternal torment, and brings light to passages that most have only assumed they understand. The author is fair enough to point out where his own arguments are weak. But after thoroughly reading this book, and then looking at several systematic theologies and explanations which support the traditional view, I now find that the traditional view is the one that is lacking support.

For those who dare to undertake an honest look at what they thought was an "established" Biblical fact, and be shaken in their long held belief, I highly recommend this book. But for those who are content to simply believe what they have always heard, I recommend that they stay away.

Edward Fudge takes on the traditional view of hell effectively. It has always disturbed me how ministers routinely repudiate any understanding of scripture that is not tied into their traditions. It is not uncommon for ministers to declare that those who do not believe in eternal conscious torment are deceived, deluded or unbelievers destined for hell. Once the sensationalism is taken out of the subject, one must take a look at the scriptures, the context, and the best interpretation of the original language. Fudge is qualified to do this. He speaks candidly about the infusing of Greek philosophy and ideas into the the early Church's understanding of the scriptures and the immortality of the soul, both its pre-birth and post-death states. (Plato believed that the soul was eternal before birth and after birth.) It is common to believe in judgment after death for the deeds done in the body; all major religions have this creed. Scripture does say "He has placed eternity in our hearts." This is a reminder, like conscience that we belong to Him. But to say that the notion or idea of an eternal hell is essential to being a sound believer is a stretch to say the least. Conditionalism is a legitimate alternative, scripturally sound and consistent with both Testaments. Fudge could be wrong on this point; I could be wrong on this point, but at least we are willing to admit that; traditionalists will not concede an inch.

Mr. Fudge's book is eye opening. I had believed the traditional view of hell for over 20 years. Now I can't believe how unscriptural it is. The conditionalist view fits perfectly. The technical name is called "Conditional Immortality" and Mr. Fudge does an excellent job stating the case. The forward is by the great evangelical scholar F.F. Bruce.

The wages of sin is death (Rom 6:23) (not eternal torment.) The eternal fire was made for the devil (Matt 25:41) so unbelievers die there, not live forever. The fire is eternal, not what is thrown into it. The punishment is death. Capital Punishment. Don't think death is a punishment, try telling that to someone on death row.

Fudge does an excellent job showing how this is the case. Eternal punishment is death forever. The loss of their life. Don't we view the death penalty as the greatest of all societies punishments? Why, because it removes the possibility of life anymore. The same is true of the lost on judgment day. This is when the death will occur, argues Fudge.

You see, only believers live forever (John 6:51, 8:51). Only believers get immortality (Romans 2:7). Immortality is part and parcel with the gospel (2 Tim 1:10). Unbelievers die the second death (Rev. 20:15). Jesus said they are "destroyed" (His words) in hell, not live forever (Matthew 10:28). Even if Matthew 10:28 were the only verse that proves the soul of the unsaved will be destroyed (and there are more), we would have to accept it based upon the authority of the Son of God. Thankfully, Fudge shows many more.

Another excellent point he makes, `Gnashing of teeth' in scripture is always an idiom for anger! (Psalm 37:12, Acts 7:54). The list goes on and on. Fudge does a much better job that I have here. He is also an attorney.

At the root of this all is the churches acceptance of the greek teaching of the immortality of all souls. This is completely unbiblical. If all are born with immortality, then why do people have to seek it (Romans 2:7 says clearly we are to "seek" it.) Only believers put on immortality at the resurrection (1 Cor 15:53-54). Immortality is only gotten through the gospel (2 Tim 1:10 clearly states this.) Jesus offer to live forever (John 6:51) would be meaningless if innate immortality were true. Only God is immortal (1 Tim 6:16) and immortality is his gift to those seek it, who seek His Son. (Rom 2:7)

Mr. Fudge also covers all the "what about these...." Scriptures. Too much for this space. Get this book for your pastor too!

Or for a similar powerful book on Amazon, purchase The Resurrection and Immortality by William West and look at the later chapters. Also, do a search for Samuele Bacchiocchi, (yes it is spelled correctly here) and get his book on the resurrection.

The traditional doctrine of hell besmirches the character of God. Jesus said the wicked will be destroyed (Matt 10:28) , so did Paul (Philippians 3:19) and James (James 4:12). As an evangelical, I am glad to now know the correct scriptural teaching on this. And while I am not a Seventh Day Adventist, they have this doctrine 100% correct. So do many other evangelicals.

I am enjoying the book very much. It is easy to read and understand. Not to technical for the average Bible student.The book is very comprehensive and makes arguments without being dogmatic. Very fair, though obviously biased to a conclusion.I would highly recommend this book for anyone interested in this subject.

This book is a historical and biblical look at hell. Not only does the author exegete scripture impeccably, he explains how traditionalists got their start; namely Plato's heavy influence on early Christianity that states that the soul is innately immortal. Fudge uses the old testament and new testament evenly to demonstrate that the unsaved are eternally destroyed in the fires of hell, not tormented.

One thing the book does not explain is the parable of Luke 16. Also, I think the author is a bit wordy when a concise explanation would do.

Overall I would recommend this book to anyone who's even remotely interested in the subject of hell. Eternal torment is slander against God's character and even more important...is unbiblical. For more reading on the subject, check out the following web site: [...]

This is a very thought provoking subject. For anybody (and I don't know anybody who has not) who really wants to know what happens to us when we die, this book is for them. Edward Fudge does a great job in explaining his personal bias, however, always includes what other scholars say that disagree with his theory. It is a very even-handed approach to this study. Great reading!

Absolutely incredible! This book answers the traditionalists, defends Conditionalism with the best arguments I have found. This book cannot be refuted in my estimation, a great book!

Edward Fudge dares to believe - and to urge you to believe - that God really is a "consuming fire," just as scripture says. One wouldn't think that was such a controversial (and even revolutionary) idea, but it is.

Fudge's scholarship is first rate. (With the original Foreword having been written by F.F. Bruce, that comes as no surprise.) This book is thorough, scholarly, and challenging. It is not a light read, to be sure, so come to the book with your "thinking cap" on. If you've harbored any doubts about the doctrine of hell as eternal, conscious torment, you should read this book. And if you are thoroughly dedicated to the notion of hell as eternal, conscious torment, you owe it to yourself to allow Fudge to challenge your thinking. You just might find yourself moved to reconsider. And in the end, I think you'll come away more convinced than ever before that God is truly just, astonishingly merciful, and holy beyond compare.

This is, in my opinion, one of the most honest books on the topic I have ever read. The research seems to be intellectually honest while including all relevant data. I would highly recommend it to anyone who struggles with the "justice" of eternal torment.