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Epiphanius of Salamis – Evidence of the Bodily Assumption in the Panarion
Panarion, Anacephalaeosis VII, Chapter 78, Against Antidicomarians (p. 635): 23,8 And there have been many such things to mislead the deluded, though the saints are not responsible for anyone’s stumbling; the human mind finds no rest, but is perverted to evils. (9) The holy virgin may have died and been buried—her falling asleep was with honor,…
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TurretinFan vs. Joshua Gibbs – Perseverance of the Saints Debate (predicted affirmative constructive)
I look forward to this debate with Mr. Gibbs. What is the position I’m defending? Westminster Confession of Faith – Chapter 17 1. They whom God hath accepted in his Beloved, effectually called and sanctified by his Spirit, can neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace; but shall certainly persevere therein…
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Where are all the ashes?
If Annihilationists were right, one might expect to see the end of the wicked more often equated with non-existence. Of course, not all Annhilationists say that man ceases to exist, sometimes they will say he is reduced to ashes. One nice thing about the ashes argument is that there is a Biblical “ashes” motif that…
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Ignatius an Annhiliationist?
In a recent video, Chris Date (CD) claims that Ignatius of Antioch was an annihilationist (link). CD generally uses the term “conditional immortality” to describe his position. Before getting into a discussion of Ignatius himself, CD includes the bizarre claim that Tatian of Adiabene (c. 120-180) is the “oldest Christian advocate of eternal torment” (30:45…
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Is the Spirit Immortal?
Unlike animals, humans have an immortal soul. Ecclesiastes 3:21 Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth? Early Christians understood and believed in the existence of disembodied spirits. Acts 12:15 And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed…
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Clement and Eternal Conscious Torment
Chris Date (CD) has a video in which he claims that Clement of Rome held to “conditional immortality” (link – if you’re interested to hear what he has to say about Clement of Rome, you can jump forward to timestamp 26:00 and listen to 44:09). First, note that we refer to the book we refer to as…
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Polycarp and Eternal Torment
Chris Date has a video arguing for the idea that Polycarp of Smyrna held to conditional immortality (link to video). CD’s arguments hang on several points: 1) Ignatius writes to Polycarp that Polycarp views immortality and eternal life as being the prize set before him (Ignatius’ Epistle to Polycarp, Chapter 2). However, this would only…
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Some Thoughts on Meros (μέρος)
One of the key texts regarding hell is Revelation 21:8, which states: But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part (τὸ μέρος αὐτῶν) in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. Some folks commenting…
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What about Olam (עוֹלָם), Ad (עַד), and Nesah (נֶצַח)?
If you are going to consider the subject of the eternal torments of hell, you cannot limit yourself to the New Testament. You also should not limit yourself to English, but should also consider the usual words translated as “eternal” or the like in the Old Testament text. Olam, Ad, and Nesah One fairly common…
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Gnashing (Brygmos βρυγμός) of Teeth
Amongst the various descriptions of suffering in hell, one notable description is the gnashing of teeth. In the New Testament, Matthew provides this description six times, and Luke just once. While we use a gerund, the Greek is usually a noun, Brygmos. Matthew 8:12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into…