The Good Book, part six

Context is important. If I told you I saw a man running up to an unsuspecting little boy and rugby tackling him, breaking the boy’s arm in the process, you might want to know was the man reported to the police.

Stand to Reason on hell

Hell is a subject I have done a lot of thinking about and writing on. This article from Stand to Reason masterfully and succinctly deals with the attempts of annihilationists to put out the flames of what the Lord Jesus called eternal fire. Please have a read.

Is hell for real?

Here is an article I was asked to write an article on this subject.

Why would God...?

Questions that begin in this way are notoriously hard to answer, and there's no shame in answering many of these questions with an honest, "I've no idea." The Bible does say that God's ways are past finding out. It ought to come as no surprise that there are things God does and allows that we don't understand. However, the question I recently heard asked does not fall into that category.

New year, new book

Happy (not so) new year. Thanks again to those who keep checking here for new posts. I have some things to write about and hope to get to them soon. In the meantime, here is the link to where my first book can be obtained. Those who have been following this blog know that there was a considerable period in which hell was quite a prominent subject. This is the fruit of that. I think you'll be edified in the faith and fortified against the alternate views that attract many but attack the faith.

No substitute for penal substitution

The doctrine of penal substitution states that the Lord Jesus Christ bore the judgment of God in the place of sinners so that they can go free. It means that the Christian Gospel is the only message in the world that maintains that God is a righteous God and a Saviour (see for example Isaiah 45 v 21).

Making reservations

We've all made reservations in life - sometimes the reservation was costly, sometimes the event, hotel, restaurant or whatever exceeded our expectations, and other times it was a big disappointment.  Sometimes we've left it too late, other times we've cancelled our reservation.  But I want to leave with you two verses from Peter's letters about the most serious reservations that will ever be made.

Spot the differences

I have been engaged quite a bit recently with those who deny conscious eternal punishment, and I have noticed a recurring problem with their view. When they see texts in the New Testament that appear to teach eternal conscious punishment they will often cite similar language from the Old Testament in which it seems quite clear that it is talking about a temporal punishment, and then they will say that this shows the New Testament isn't talking about eternal conscious punishment at all.

Cross words

I've been thinking recently about different Bible doctrines that are confirmed and proven by a consideration of the cross of Christ.

When it's all over, they're still there

This will be brief, but it's another post on the subject of eternal punishment.

Where's purgatory?

I was in a conversation recently with a lady from a Roman Catholic background, and she asked me my views on purgatory.

Eternal punishment and a click of the fingers

As you know, if you look on this blog from time to time, over the last while I have been writing quite a bit on the reality of hell.  I know that for some of you who come here you are looking for a simple outline of what the Bible says about the way of salvation, and how to be brought into a right relationship with God, and there is a lot on the site that is too involved or specified for you.  Can I encourage you to look at the labels, and click on Gospel or Salvation, and you'll find there how to know your sins are forgiven.

No rest for the wicked

I have been thinking quite a bit recently about the subject of hell.  One of the most straightforward and serious passages of the Bible on the subject is found in Revelation 14 v 10-11:

Going through hell?

The last few posts have been on this serious subject of hell, and I want to put something else up on it.

More on the fire fighters!

I am going to address another issue relating to the subject of annihilation.

Clutching at straws

I just want to address an argument I have recently heard (here - 3rd March) advanced in support of annihilationism (i.e. the view that the unbeliever will not consciously suffer eternally for their sins.)

Time the crime?

I was speaking to a group of people about what the Bible teaches regarding God's punishment of sin, and the various objections people raise. 

No get-out clause

…when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power

2 Thessalonians 1 v 7-9

Bell's hell

I listened with real dismay to Rob Bell speaking on the Unbelievable? radio show.

Let's get this over with, can we?

He was a big guy, and angry.  He was shouting abuse at the open air preacher, and miraculously the Lord gave me the courage to actually approach him.