Eschatology
James Davis
THEO 202-B07
Short Essay #4
Eschatology: The Destiny of the Unsaved
In answering Steve’s comment about the destiny of the unsaved certain definitions need to be dealt with along with reference made available to us and I have just what we need. Steve I understand what you have read and the comment was made from the standpoint of the author “Clark Pinnock.” However, if you will allow me to answer your questions in defining words such as; “Hades, Gehenna, Sheol, Eternal punishment, Annihilationism, Universalism, Hell and Apokatastasis. You also asked the difference between Hades and Sheol. Since we are dealing with Sotereology, Eschatology and Ecclesiology it is only fair that we reference the Word of God. Our definitions will come from Elwell Evangelical Dictionary of Theology and some citing from Towns, Theology for Today.
In defining Sheol, Elwell (2001, 1099) notes,” A place where men experience rewards, or punishments that will come to them in final judgment and a place whose power cannot withstand the church.” Hades is noted as; “A grave or the place of bodily decay; a place of punishment for the wicked,” (p. 1099). “Gehenna,” according to Elwell (2001, 480), is defined in this manner; “A place that shares some common ground with Hades/Sheol; however, both good and bad souls after death prior to judgment, while Gehenna is the final and everlasting place of punishment for the wicked following the last judgment.” In answering Steve’s question of the difference, if any, among Sheol, Hades, and Gehenna and the concepts that best corresponds to the traditional understanding of the eternal abode of the Wicked? Sheol and Hades best corresponds to the traditional understanding of the eternal abode of the wicked. Contrary to popular belief hell is explained in the Bible as a final place for the wicked, this will be brought out further in our discussion.
As we continue on in our definitions, Elwell (2001, 395 Eternal punishment as; “One being
THEO 202-B07
Short Essay #4
Eschatology: The Destiny of the Unsaved
In answering Steve’s comment about the destiny of the unsaved certain definitions need to be dealt with along with reference made available to us and I have just what we need. Steve I understand what you have read and the comment was made from the standpoint of the author “Clark Pinnock.” However, if you will allow me to answer your questions in defining words such as; “Hades, Gehenna, Sheol, Eternal punishment, Annihilationism, Universalism, Hell and Apokatastasis. You also asked the difference between Hades and Sheol. Since we are dealing with Sotereology, Eschatology and Ecclesiology it is only fair that we reference the Word of God. Our definitions will come from Elwell Evangelical Dictionary of Theology and some citing from Towns, Theology for Today.
In defining Sheol, Elwell (2001, 1099) notes,” A place where men experience rewards, or punishments that will come to them in final judgment and a place whose power cannot withstand the church.” Hades is noted as; “A grave or the place of bodily decay; a place of punishment for the wicked,” (p. 1099). “Gehenna,” according to Elwell (2001, 480), is defined in this manner; “A place that shares some common ground with Hades/Sheol; however, both good and bad souls after death prior to judgment, while Gehenna is the final and everlasting place of punishment for the wicked following the last judgment.” In answering Steve’s question of the difference, if any, among Sheol, Hades, and Gehenna and the concepts that best corresponds to the traditional understanding of the eternal abode of the Wicked? Sheol and Hades best corresponds to the traditional understanding of the eternal abode of the wicked. Contrary to popular belief hell is explained in the Bible as a final place for the wicked, this will be brought out further in our discussion.
As we continue on in our definitions, Elwell (2001, 395 Eternal punishment as; “One being
Bibliography: Elwell, Walter A.,ed.Evangelical Dictionary of Theology (Baker Reference Library). 2ed. Grand Rapids, Mich.:Baker Academic, 2001. Towns, Elmer. Theology for Today. Ohio: Cengage Learing, 2008. Nelson, Thomas. Holy Bible. Nashville, Tennessee, 1982.