For many churches, as Summer approaches, so does Vacation Bible School. Here are three little articles I wrote on VBS that are meant to help churches have a God-honoring VBS:
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May 16, 2008
Vacation Bible School: It’s Coming!!!
Posted by Steve Burchett under Writings | Tags: Vacation Bible School |[2] Comments
May 28, 2008 at 10:39 pm
Steve,
I am 66 years old and at age 62 God started allowing me to see that this concept of “hell” as I had been led to believe in (eternal torment) is nothing but a pagan myth.
Obviously, I will not dump 4 years of study on you at this time, but just some samples.
An analysis of the Greek words rendered “hell” in some versions was quite revealing to me.
Do you know that there are several versions that do not have the word “hell” in them?
Do a concordance run on all the writings of Paul (Romans through Philemon) and there is not one occurrence of the word “hell”. If this were a doctrine of the church, much less an important one, why would Paul not speak about it in his writings since what Paul says is what Jesus would have him say since Jesus commissioned him to carry the Word to the Gentiles primarily?
A careful analysis with “eyes to see” will reveal to you that any punishments that relate to our destiny are remedial.
The Word tells us that God through Christ will reconcile all to Himself.
I do have scriptural support for everything I said, which is the only reason I felt comfortable in saying what I did. If you wish to inquire or question anything I said, please respond and I can provide you with scriptures.
For the love of truth,
Your brother,
Don Hicks
May 29, 2008 at 7:51 pm
Dear Don:
Thank you for taking the time to visit the site, but I STRONGLY disagree with your analysis of the doctrine of Hell. Though Paul does not use the typical words for Hell (geenna & hades), he is in complete agreement with Jesus’ view of Hell. Paul is quite clear: All who refuse to repent and believe in Christ, all who do not by God’s grace turn from their sins and trust in Christ alone for salvation, for forgiveness of their sins, for reconciliation with God, will spend an eternity in a literal and terrible place called Hell–this place where only God’s wrath is known (cf. Rom. 2:5, 8; 1 Thess. 1:10); this place of destruction (cf. Gal. 6:8); this place where those who did not come to Christ “will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power” (2 Thess. 1:9).
I could make a long argument for what I believe is the correct (biblical) view, but for the sake of time I want to point you to an excellent article by a gentleman named Doug Moo. He covers the very subject you’ve brought up in a clear and convincing way. Here it is: http://www.djmoophoto.com/articles/paulonhell.pdf
Sincerely,
Steve