WHAT THE HELL?

Recently I sent out an email to a few close friends, who I also consider theologians and Bible scholars with "What the Hell?" in the subject line. I also sent my son a copy because we discuss Bible issues from time to time.

I immediately received an email from my son saying, "Who are you, and what have you done with my dad?" One of the other addressees responded, "I think your email account has been hacked!" :)

Actually what had happened was this. At a local coffee shop after a men's meeting at a sister church, I met a 75 year old man who had come to faith at the age of 70! Very unusual, but even more unusual was that he had read through the Bible five times in the last five years. He had my attention. He brought up the topic of hell for some reason, and told me what he believed (something akin to what is called universalism), and asked nodding his head, "That is what you believe isn't it?" I smiled at him and replied, "Not at all." Then I looked at a close friend with years of Bible study under his belt who was listening to our conversation and said, "Is that what you believe Tom?" He smiled and shook his head "no." It was time to go, so I determined to take the conversation up with my new, older friend later at a time and place of the Spirit's choosing.

The following week, my friend who shook his head "no" brought me a DVD of a 2012 movie entitled, Hell and Mr. Fudge. It was well done, and based on a true story about a Bible student who was hired by a Canadian businessman to study for a whole year what the Bible and church say about hell, and write up the results.

I've become infatuated with Edward Fudge, his story, and his research on hell. But perhaps moreso by the way he approaches the Bible, the people of God, and the people of the world. Humbly, lovingly, and honestly. For these reasons and more that will come to light, I have suggested that our life group give it a look and make it our topic for discussion for a couple weeks.

This we will do starting this Wednesday night, 6:30pm, at the Bell patio by watching the movie, after a time of fellowship, sharing and prayer. A short time of sharing your immediate thoughts will follow the 90-minute movie, and we'll finish on time for those needing to pick up children at the church.

Hope to see you there!         Dwayne

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Interested in the movie, click here.

To view the trailer, click here.

To view Fudge's summary book on the subject, click here.

To understand the debate between traditionalist and conditionalist, from another web source, click here.

DVD from Amazon, click here.

For a very short summary of the debate from a very young guy, click here! :)

For a Jewish perspective, click here.