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Question

Historical investigation (not doctrinal): What are the historical channels through which the doctrine of eternal conscious torment (ECT) entered Christian theology? Trace the Platonic influence, intertestamental literature, early church writers, and the progression from conditional immortality to innate immortality as church doctrine.

IMMORTALITY

  • GEN 5:24
  • 2SA 12:23
  • 2KI 2:11
  • JOB 14:13
  • PSA 16:10
  • ECC 12:7
  • ISA 25:8
  • DAN 12:2
  • MAT 10:28
  • MAT 25:46
  • JHN 3:16
  • ROM 2:7
  • ROM 6:23
  • 1CO 15:53
  • GAL 6:8
  • 1TI 6:16
  • 2TI 1:10
  • TIT 1:2
  • 1JN 5:13

General scriptures concerning GEN 5:24; 2SA 12:23; 2KI 2:11; NEH 9:5; JOB 4:17-21; 14:13; PSA 16:10,11; 21:4; 22:26; 23:6; 31:5; 36:9; 37:18,27; 49:7-9,14,15; 73:26; 86:12; 102:4,25-28; 121:8; 133:3; 145:1,2; PRO 14:32; ECC 3:21; 12:7; ISA 14:9; 25:8; 26:19; 38:18,19; EZK 32:31; DAN 12:2,3; MAT 10:28; 16:26; 19:16,17; 25:46; MRK 10:30; 12:26,27; LUK 9:25; 10:25-28; 20:36-38; JHN 3:14-16,36; 5:39,40; 6:39,40,44,47,50,51,53,54,58; 10:28; 11:25,26; 14:19; 17:2,3; ACT 20:32; 23:8,9; 26:7,8,18; ROM 2:7; 6:22,23; 1CO 15:12-55; GAL 6:8; COL 1:5,6; 1TH 4:13-18; 5:10; 2TH 1:7-9; 2:16; 1TI 4:8; 6:12,19; 2TI 1:9,10; TIT 1:2; 3:7; HEB 9:15; 10:34; 11:5,10,13-16; 1PE 1:3-5; 1JN 2:17,25; 5:13; Jude 1:21; REV 1:7; 3:4; 22:5

HELL

  • PSA 9:17
  • MAT 5:22
  • MAT 10:28
  • MAT 25:46
  • MRK 9:43
  • LUK 16:23
  • ACT 2:27
  • 2TH 1:9
  • 2PE 2:4
  • REV 14:10
  • REV 20:10
  • REV 20:14

In the A.V. this word occurs in O.T. Scriptures and is the translation of the Hebrew word 'sheol,' which signifies the unseen state. In the R.V. the Greek word 'gehenna' is translated 'hell' in MAT 5:22,29,30; 10:28; 18:9; 23:15,33; MRK 9:43,45,47; LUK 12:5; JAS 3:6. The R.V. has introduced 'Hades' in MAT 11:23; 16:18; LUK 10:15; 16:23; ACT 2:27,31; REV 1:18; 6:8; 20:13,14. THE FUTURE HOME OF THE WICKED PSA 9:17; PRO 5:5; ISA 30:33; 33:14; MAT 3:12; 5:29,30; 7:13,14; 8:11,12; 10:28; 13:30,38-42,49,50; 18:8,9; 25:41,46; MRK 9:43-48; LUK 3:17; 16:23-26; ACT 1:25; 2TH 1:9; 2PE 2:4; Jude 1:6-23; REV 14:10,11; 19:20; 20:10,15; 21:8

DEATH

  • GEN 3:19
  • PSA 104:29
  • PSA 115:17
  • DAN 12:2
  • JHN 11:11
  • ACT 7:60
  • 1CO 15:18
  • 1TH 4:14
  • EZK 18:4
  • MAT 10:28
  • ROM 6:23
  • REV 20:14

Called SLEEP DEU 31:16; JOB 7:21; 14:12; JER 51:39; DAN 12:2; JHN 11:11; ACT 7:60; 13:36; 1CO 15:6,18,51; 1TH 4:14,15. RETURNING TO DUST GEN 3:19; PSA 104:29. GOING DOWN INTO SILENCE PSA 115:17. SECOND DEATH: PRO 14:12; EZK 18:4; MAT 7:13; 10:28; 25:46; ROM 6:23; 2TH 1:9; REV 20:14; 21:8.

PHILOSOPHY

  • ACT 17:18
  • COL 2:8
  • 1CO 1:21
  • 1CO 2:6
  • 1TI 6:20

The nature of things ECC 1-7. A philosophical discussion about wisdom JOB 28. Is not sufficient for an adequate knowledge of God 1CO 1:21,22. Is not enough for salvation through the atonement of Jesus Christ 1CO 2:6-10. Employment of, was not Paul's method of preaching the gospel 1CO 1:17,19,21; 2:1-5,13. Greek schools of ACT 17:18. Rabbinical COL 2:8,16-19; 1TI 6:20.

RESURRECTION

  • DAN 12:2
  • MAT 22:23
  • ACT 17:18
  • ACT 23:8
  • 1CO 15:53
  • 1TH 4:16
  • REV 20:13

General scriptures concerning JOB 14:12-15; 19:25-27; PSA 16:9,10; 17:15; 49:15; ISA 25:8; 26:19; EZK 37:1-14; DAN 12:2,3,13; HOS 13:14; MAT 22:23-32; 24:31; 25:1-13; 27:52,53; MRK 12:18-27; LUK 14:14; 20:35-38; JHN 5:21,25,28,29; 6:39,40,44,54; 11:23-25; ACT 2:26-31; 4:1,2; 17:18,32; 23:6,8; 24:15,21; 26:6-8; ROM 4:16-21; 8:10,11,19-23; 1CO 6:14; 15:12-57; 2CO 4:14; 5:1-5; PHP 3:10,11,21; COL 3:4; 1TH 4:14-16; 2TI 2:11,18; HEB 6:2; 11:19,35; JAS 5:7; 1PE 1:3; REV 1:18; 20:4-6,13.

SOUL

See SPIRIT. See IMMORTALITY. See MAN, A SPIRIT. See RIGHTEOUS, FUTURE STATE OF. See WICKED, PUNISHMENT OF.