Form an earthly perspective, it is! Were it nor for belief in the afterlife, it would be permanent/eternal as well.
I will agree to disagree with you on Annihilation. I am convinced annihilation is scriptural, as I outlined above, and in keeping with the attributes of a merciful, just God.
I also am repulsed by the idea that those who never heard of Moses, the Bible, or salvation through Jesus will be tormented eternally for their lack of faith.
‘I will agree to disagree with you on Annihilation.’
Sounds good! Blessings to you & yours, & thank you for a very interesting & thought provoking discussion.
‘I also am repulsed by the idea that those who never heard of Moses, the Bible, or salvation through Jesus will be tormented eternally for their lack of faith.’
I’m going to post this one more time. It’s that important. God is both just & merciful. He knows infinitely more about what ‘eternal punishment’ entails than we do. We can only go by what He has indicated, & certainly degrees of punishment is Biblical. Here is the text, citation above:
“47 And that slave who knew his master’s will and did not get ready or act in accord with his will, will receive many lashes, 48 but the one who did not know it, and committed deeds worthy of a flogging, will receive but few. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.”