Kirk Cameron, Controversy, and the Reality of Hell

A video clip from Kirk Cameron caused a firestorm over the weekend on social media in which he stated that he no longer believes that hell is a place of eternal conscious torment. He has embraced an alternative view called annihilationism or conditional mortality.

Does the Bible teach that hell is indeed a literal place of eternal conscious torment?

The parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus clearly teaches some truths about the reality of hell.

Luke 16:19–31 “There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’ And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house— for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’ ”

Hell is a place of eternal conscious torment. This is not a popular teaching, but it is not only the teaching of the church for the past 2000 years.

The Athanasian Creed (one of the three orthodox creeds of the universal church) affirms hell as eternal:

Christ shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
At whose coming all men shall rise again with their bodies;
And shall give account for their own works.
And they that have done good shall go into life everlasting;
And they that have done evil, into everlasting fire.

In addition, as Reformed Baptists, Emmanuel Baptist Church adheres to the 1689 Second London Baptist Confession. Chapter 32 on the Last Judgment affirms the doctrine of hell as eternal torment.

For at that time the righteous will go into everlasting life and receive fullness of joy and glory with everlasting rewards in the presence of the Lord. But the wicked, who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of Jesus Christ, will be thrown into everlasting tormentsand punished with everlasting destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power.

Luke’s account of the rich man and Lazarus does not give a comprehensive picture of hell, and much of the imagery here is symbolic because it is a parable. But Jesus tells this to provide us with a sense of the overall weight and soberness of hell.

John Calvin said, “That for the unbeliever are prepared terrifying torments which can no more be conceived by our minds than the infinite glory of God.”[1]

Just like we really can’t conceive in our minds all the glories of what heaven will be like, we also cannot conceive in our minds all the horrors of hell.

Nevertheless, this parable offers some insight, and I want to remind you that it comes from the lips of Jesus Himself.

Notice that the rich man is aware of his surroundings. He is conscious that he is in hell.

In verse 23, the rich man is in torment. In verse 24, he is in anguish in flames and wants just a little drop of water on his tongue. In verse 25, Lazarus is comforted in heaven while the rich man is in anguish. In verse 28, hell is called a place of torment.

Multiple times, Jesus describes hell as a place of extreme suffering and flames.

Mark 9:48-49 . . . thrown in hell where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’ 49 For everyone will be salted with fire.

Revelation 14:10–11 he also will drink the wine of God’s wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.”

Revelation 20:14–15 Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15 And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

So, hell is a literal place where people are not asleep, but fully conscious. And hell is also a literal place of extreme suffering, anguish, and flames.

We see this in verse 26. A great chasm has been fixed. The original language helps us better understand this. The verb tense signifies that God has permanently fixed this great chasm. God has done it, and it cannot be altered.

The word “fixed” means to set firmly in place and cannot be moved. It is fixed and cannot be altered.

Again, let me state it clearly: Jesus teaches us that hell is a literal place of eternal conscious torment.

People will be conscious and fully aware. People will be in extreme anguish. And once you die and go to hell, that is your final destination. It is a permanent fixed reality.

Many Christians do not like these teachings on hell and have come up with some false or less-than-biblical views of hell.

While this may be an attractive idea, it is evident that this great chasm has been fixed. Once you’re in hell, according to verse 26, you cannot pass from hell to heaven.

Hebrews 9:27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,

Second, some sinners go to purgatory in hopes they can be prayed out by someone still living.

The Bible is very clear that upon death, the souls of unbelievers go to hell. Not purgatory, which is a place that they can endure enough cleansing to pay for the sins they committed on earth and somehow get out. Even if someone pays an indulgence to get you out.

Third, after the wicked have suffered in hell for a time, God will “annihilate” them so that they no longer exist.

2 Thessalonians 1:7-10 . . . when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels ⁸ in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. ⁹ They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, ¹⁰ when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed

There is no second chance after death to escape hell once you’re there. Hell has no exit.

There is no purgatory or halfway place that you can somehow hope to pay for your sins and get out of after you’ve died.

There is no destroying or annihilating unbelievers in hell after they’ve suffered for a while.

There is an urgency to believe in Jesus as the only way. He is the only One who can bridge this deep chasm.

This great chasm is like the Grand Canyon—a gulf or expanse so massive that you cannot possibly jump over from one side to the other. Even if you got a running start, you would only be able to jump so far and then fall to your death.

The only way to get across one side of the chasm to the other is to walk across a bridge. Jesus is the Bridge. He is the only way.

And you need to place your faith in Jesus as the only way to heaven BEFORE you die, because afterwards it will be too late.

Ecclesiastes 9:5 King James Bible For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.

This is as much Divine truth - versus God-inspired testimony to the conclusions of the natural man - as is,

"There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God." (Ecclesiastes 2:24)

I did not know that you were an annihilationist as well a soul-sleeper, which is what citing this as Divine truth renders you unless you also believe in a future judgment for the dead and everlasting punishment.

Annihilationism makes a mockery the warnings of Christ against "having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched. Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched."(Mark 9:43,44)

But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 8:12)
And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 13:42)
Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: (Matthew 25:41)
And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. (Revelation 20:10)
And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. (Matthew 25:46)
And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. (Revelation 20:10)
And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. (Mark 9:47-48)
And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. (Revelation 14:11)
And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. (Luke 16:22-28)

This is a true story as well as representing two classes of souls. Jesus never used real names in any parable, nor science fiction, as instead in parables, He used known physical realities (a pearl, a sheep, etc.) which represented a spiritual reality.

But if there is no conscious torment after death, then Christ would be referring to something that would be science fiction, not a known physical reality, that of interminable torment after physical death, in an environment that is contrary to known laws of physics (otherwise a drop - which is all the damned soul dared ask for - of water would evaporate).

Maybe some others on my ping list agree with you.

Second, some sinners go to purgatory in hopes they can be prayed out by someone still living. This is the traditional Roman Catholic view. The Bible is very clear that upon death, the souls of unbelievers go to hell. Not purgatory, which is a place that they can endure enough cleansing to pay for the sins they committed on earth and somehow get out. Even if someone pays an indulgence to get you out.

This NOT what Catholics believe. If a person confesses to a sin like stealing and doesn't follow the priests instruction for absolution which may be to return the money, they may spend time in purgatory for not fulfilling the terms of the absolution.

You are quoting from the article, and which lacks details, as does your own version. RC (not the same as the even less defined EO) purgatory is not just about not making restitution but not suffering enough for sins. See What Is the Catholic Understanding of the Biblical Plan of Salvation?

if the debt of punishment is not paid in full after the stain of sin has been washed away by contrition, nor again are venial sins always removed when mortal sins are remitted, and if justice demands that sin be set in order by due punishment, it follows that one who after contrition for his fault and after being absolved, dies before making due satisfaction, is punished after this life... Hence Gregory of Nyssa, after the words quoted above, adds: "This we preach, holding to the teaching of truth, and this is our belief; this the universal Church holds, by praying for the dead that they may be loosed from sins." ..."If one who loves and believes in Christ," has failed to wash away his sins in this life, "he is set free after death by the fire of Purgatory." Therefore there remains some kind of cleansing after this life. - The Summa Theologiæ of St. Thomas Aquinas, Supplement (Appendix II), Article 1: https://www.newadvent.org/summa/7001.htm

"Catholic Answers" states, based upon perversely taking 1 Cor. 3:10-15 out of context, states,

Paul also notes that although others will be saved, and for whom no reward is mentioned, they will still have to undergo purification, presumably because of their remaining attachment to or affection for their bad habits and vices.

For certain temporal consequences of sin remain in the baptized , such as suffering, illness, death, and such frailties inherent in life as weaknesses of character, and so on, as well as an inclination to sin that Tradition calls concupiscence. .. (CCC 1264)

Which means that unless they died having attained to the level of practical perfection needed, then they are in in need of postmortem purification commencing at death, even "through fire and torments or "purifying" punishments. (Apostolic Constitution on Indulgences, Pope Paul VI) For

And thus, what flows from the original error of believing man must actually become good enough to be with God (rather than faith being counted/imputed for righteous, - Rm. 4:5 - and with obedience and holiness being evidential fruit of regenerating faith) is that of the doctrine of RC Purgatory, by which, besides atoning for sins not sufficiently expiated on earth, serves to make the baptized good enough to be with God.

The Catholic Encyclopedia also states that St. Augustine "describes two conditions of men; "some there are who have departed this life, not so bad as to be deemed unworthy of mercy, nor so good as to be entitled to immediate happiness " etc. (City of God XXI.24.)

And thus by the close of the fourth century was taught "a place of purgation..from which when purified they "were admitted unto the Holy Mount of the Lord". For " they were "not so good as to be entitled to eternal happiness ".

One "cannot approach God till the purging fire shall have cleansed the stains with which his soul was infested." (Catholic Encyclopedia>Purgatory)

All who die in God's grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven. (CCC 1030)

"The purpose of purgatory is to bring you up the level of spiritual excellence needed to experience the full-force presence of God." (Jimmy Akin, How to Explain Purgatory to Protestants).

"Every trace of attachment to evil must be eliminated, every imperfection of the soul corrected." Purification must be complete..." "This is exactly what takes place in Purgatory." — John Paul II, Audiences, 1999; http://w2.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/audiences/1999/documents/hf_jp-ii_aud_04081999.html

Catholic professor Peter Kreeft states,

"...we will go to Purgatory first, and then to Heaven after we are purged of all selfishness and bad habits and character faults." Peter Kreeft, Because God Is Real: Sixteen Questions, One Answer, p. 224

However, in principle, this premise of perfection of character for final salvation should eliminate the newly baptized (which, as they are clean and good enough under imagined effect of the act itself of baptism removing sins and regenerating the subject) are said to able to go to bypass Purgatory - if they died before they sinned - since while innocent, yet they have not yet attained to "spiritual excellence," to elmination of "every trace of attachment to evil," to "perfection of the soul," to the level of practical holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven.

And this premise would also exclude the contrite criminal of Luke 23:43 from being with Christ at death, yet who was told by the Lord that he would be with Christ in Paradise that day. And likewise imperfect Paul, (Philippians 3:13) who attested that to be absent from the body was to be present with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:7; cf. Philippians 1:23) And indeed it would exclude all believers who were told that they would be forever with the Lord if He returned in their lifetime (1 This. 4:17) though they were still undergoing growth in grace, as was Paul.

In contrast, wherever Scripture clearly speak of the next conscious reality for believers then it is with the Lord, (Lk. 23:43 [cf. 2Cor. 12:4; Rv. 2:7]; Phil 1:23; 2Cor. 5:8 [“we”]; 1Cor. 15:51ff'; 1Thess. 4:17)

And rather than Purgatory conforming souls to Christ to inherit the kingdom of God, the next transformative experience that is manifestly taught is that of being made like Christ in the resurrection. (1Jn. 3:2; Rm. 8:23; 1Co 15:53,54; 2Co. 2-4) At which time is the judgment seat of Christ And which is the only suffering after this life, which does not begin at death, but awaits the Lord's return, (1 Corinthians 4:5; 2 Timothy. 4:1,8; Revelation 11:18; Matthew 25:31-46; 1 Peter 1:7; 5:4) and is the suffering of the loss of rewards (and the Lord's displeasure!) due to the manner of material one built the church with. But which one is saved despite the loss of such, not because of. (1 Corinthians 3:8ff)

Note also that the tradition-based Eastern Orthodox reject RC Purgatory, among some other substantial RC distinctives

In addition, the whole premise that suffering itself perfects a person is specious, since testing of character requires being able to choose btwn alternatives, and which this world provides. Thus it is only this world that Scripture peaks of here development of character, such as "Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations." (1 Peter 1:6) The Lord Jesus, in being "made perfect" (Hebrews 2:10) as regards experientially "in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin" (Hebrews 4:15) was subjected to this in the life.

Meanwhile the salvation by holiness via baptism and purgatory are all under the RC rubric of salvation by grace thru merit:

I promise you that we should direct our ire more at the hedonist God-denying, child sacrificing, child grooming Dims than against a fellow Christian like Cameron for not having the details of eternal punishment with Jesus exactly right. Don't let the left's divisive tactics from splitting hairs of our allies.

It's the principle of denying a basic teaching of Scripture, thereby having the Lord effectively say, "And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched" (Mark 9:43-44) -

BUT despite this warning, your punishment for decades of fulfilling your lusts, not matter how much harm it cause, will be but temporary.

Likewise,

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. (Matthew 25:40-41,45-46)

BUTdespite this warning, your since "everlasting" can sometimes mean less than that, rather than these words misleading you, be assured your punishment will be but temporary, just as that of the devil whom you chose to believe in choosing darkness over light. Not to worry much.

And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. (Revelation 20:9-10)

So let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die as sinner, and know nothing in the spiritual real. Like the rich man in Hell. O, you were taught this was literal because of the real names being used? No, that was uniquely using science fiction, since unlike in all other parables, in which known physical things are used to illustrate actual spiritual realities, then since there is no on-going conscious torment after death, then this was simply science fiction, meant to illustrate something about Jews vs Gentiles or something.

NO, the Lord was not misleading souls, as anything but a literal understanding of the spiritual reality of ongoing conscious punishment that awaits the impenitent after death largely removes the deterrent effect that such words convey.

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