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

Has anyone read this book? It sounds very interesting.

http://www.amazon.com/Fire-That-Consumes-Historical-Punishment/dp/0...

Some reviews:

Review
"Forceful and to the point. Exceptionally even-handed." -- New Oxford Review

Product Description
Evangelical Christians agree that a dreadful destiny awaits those who reject God’s presence now. According to the traditional majority view, that destiny will involve everlasting conscious torment in hell. However, believers are increasingly questioning the traditional view, finding it unbiblical and inconsistent with God’s own character.

This internationally acclaimed book investigates the whole teaching of Scripture on the topic of final punishment, and concludes that hell will involve the irreversible destruction of body and soul, leaving room for whatever degree of conscious torment God justly decrees in any individual case. An Evangelical Book Club Selection.

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Read Fully Before You Judge!, September 20, 2003
By "bgrnathan" (Farmington, CT United States) - See all my reviews
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.
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A Very Plausible Interpretation, November 14, 2005
By Hakim J. Hazim - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
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.
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A Solid Biblical and Historical Study, November 9, 2006
By R. Bailey (Rogers, AR United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
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.

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