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Tag Archives: death
First and second death: similarities and differences
The significance of death as God’s punishment of humans for sin We don’t read far in the Bible before we encounter the reality of human death. It comes in Genesis 2:16, when God commands Adam not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil because, if he does, he will die “in that day.” From this, we gather that death was not natural for God’s image bearers, but their immortality was … Continue reading
Posted in Eschatology
Tagged annihilationism, death, hell, intermediate state, purgatory, resurrection, second death, traditionalism, universalism
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What did Jesus suffer “for us and for our salvation”?
A podcast interview with me Chris Date has begun a series of podcasts in which he will interview authors of chapters in A Consuming Passion. I am the first person on deck, and Chris spent quite a long time talking with me about my journey to annihilationism. Whether or not you have read the series of blog posts I wrote, which were an early form of the material in my chapter for the festschrift for … Continue reading
Posted in Christology, Eschatology
Tagged atonement, death, hell, resurrection, sin, suffering
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How Christ’s death delivers us from fear of death (both first and second)
I think that Christ’s victory is the overarching framework within which Christ’s saving work is best viewed. (See my post, “Is there an overarching model of the atonement?”) Penal substitution was the way in which Christ delivered us from the adversary’s ability to bring a damning accusation against those who are in Christ. We were dead in our trespasses but “God made [us] alive together with [Christ],” by “cancelling “the record of the debt that … Continue reading
Jesus’ death and the nature of hell
Both traditionalists and annihilationists often say that their view of hell best accords with the manner in which Jesus suffered the penalty of sin in our place. I am still not convinced, however, that either understanding of hell has a significant advantage in this regard. Traditionalists generally focus on hell as an endless experience of the righteous wrath of God. Some understand the biblical descriptions (fire, darkness, physical agony, death) more literally than others do, … Continue reading
Posted in Christology, Eschatology
Tagged annihilationism, atonement, death, hell, resurrection, traditionalism
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Reflections on the incarnation, with reference to the constituent nature of human being
Therefore, following the holy Fathers, we all with one accord teach men to acknowledge one and the same Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, at once complete in Godhead and complete in manhood; truly God and truly man, consisting also of a reasonable soul and body; of one substance with the Father as regards his Godhead, and at the same time of one substance with us as regard his manhood; like us in all respects, apart … Continue reading
Posted in Anthropology (theological), Christology
Tagged Chalcedon, death, incarnation, intermediate state, soul
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Union with Christ in death and resurrection
Robert Letham concludes his fine book with a chapter that describes the eschatological entailments of the union of members of Christ’s church with himself. Letham’s presentation Though our current experience of union with Christ is wonderful, its gloriousness will only be fully manifested at his return when we are transformed into his likeness. Now we share in Christ’s sufferings. This form of suffering is different from that which all … Continue reading
Posted in Books, Eschatology, Soteriology
Tagged baptism, death, Robert Letham, union with Christ
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Should a funeral mourn a death or celebrate a life?
Some time ago there was a death in the extended family of a friend of ours. We were somewhat surprised by the strength of feeling with which she told us that they were not going to a funeral but to a celebration of life. I was reminded of that incident yesterday, when I heard a Christian theologian remark negatively on the concept of funerals as celebrations of life rather than the mourning of the loss … Continue reading