Hi Alan. I guess you've noticed that all the religious folks have both Steven Hawking AND Billy Graham burning in hell right now. I thought it was interesting that you mentioned Hawking not too long ago, that even atheists like him will some day realize who the Savior of the world is. And won't Graham be surprised when he finds out that all those people he never reached with the gospel AREN'T burning in hell, and that there really isn't a hell. And won't all the folks who say Graham is in hell be surprised when THEY find out there isn't a hell...man, religion just makes my head explode. Thank you for helping to show me the way out.
Matt. 25 was one of Augustine’s (354 - 439 AD) favorite chapters which he used, in part, to established his infamous dogmas of election and eternal punishment (Augustine’s writings were hugely influential in the teachings and doctrines of Catholicism). But when you look carefully at the text, free from the presuppositions of mainline thinking, much of the dread dissolves. The passage is widely accepted as parabolic. Its message, like that of all parables, expresses moral lessons: - in this case on the consequences of selfless and selfish actions. Sloppy study of the passage all but ignores these facts, while utterly failing to meditate on the implications of the word used in v.46 (kolasis); it then draws conclusions completely at odds with the prophetic Old Testament descriptions concerning the time setting of the parable (e.g. Zechariah 14). The expression on which Augustine placed so much force was, of course, ‘everlasting punishment (v.46).’ The words in the Greek are ‘kolasin aionian.’ The word kolasis was commonly used by the Greeks within the horticultural context of ‘pruning.’ To prune a tree was to cut it back in order to improve its growth and health. Extending this definition into the realm of human behavior the word has the meaning of correction or chastisement. We chastise or correct a child in order to improve the child’s behavior…not to punish the child without limit! Interesting is it not that a parent who tried to do that today would be considered a tyrant beyond belief (even by those who propagate endless, conscious penalty!). In his New Testament Synonyms, the scholar Trench defines kolasis in the above manner, but then adds that its use in the New Testament (it occurs only twice) is much severer. Trench gives no legitimate justification for this opinion, presumably basing it on his theology! This is an example of how theology has added to the meaning of Scriptural words as if to ‘help God out’ by molding a certain phrase into some hideous, imagined reality! All of which only serves to bear out what our brother said in his address today - let us do our own homework and discover what key Scriptural words meant WHEN THEY WERE WRITTEN. Thank you Bro. Alan!
Hi Alan. I guess you've noticed that all the religious folks have both Steven Hawking AND Billy Graham burning in hell right now. I thought it was interesting that you mentioned Hawking not too long ago, that even atheists like him will some day realize who the Savior of the world is. And won't Graham be surprised when he finds out that all those people he never reached with the gospel AREN'T burning in hell, and that there really isn't a hell. And won't all the folks who say Graham is in hell be surprised when THEY find out there isn't a hell...man, religion just makes my head explode. Thank you for helping to show me the way out.
Just Awesome, bro. Alan ! I'm so grateful for your insight!.
SHORT AND SWEET. TRUTH! WELL DONE IN A NUTSHELL TRUTH! THANKS ALAN. JESUS PAID THE PRICE AND IT IS FINISHED.
Alan Hess The thing is this started in Egyept but then was imbrased by the Roman Catholic church to promote fear.
Thank you, Alan. I really needed to hear this tonight.
I thank God each and every day for you brother. Keepa going
Great message brother Alan
Matt. 25 was one of Augustine’s (354 - 439 AD) favorite chapters which he used, in part, to established his infamous dogmas of election and eternal punishment (Augustine’s writings were hugely influential in the teachings and doctrines of Catholicism). But when you look carefully at the text, free from the presuppositions of mainline thinking, much of the dread dissolves.
The passage is widely accepted as parabolic. Its message, like that of all parables, expresses moral lessons: - in this case on the consequences of selfless and selfish actions. Sloppy study of the passage all but ignores these facts, while utterly failing to meditate on the implications of the word used in v.46 (kolasis); it then draws conclusions completely at odds with the prophetic Old Testament descriptions concerning the time setting of the parable (e.g. Zechariah 14).
The expression on which Augustine placed so much force was, of course, ‘everlasting punishment (v.46).’ The words in the Greek are ‘kolasin aionian.’ The word kolasis was commonly used by the Greeks within the horticultural context of ‘pruning.’ To prune a tree was to cut it back in order to improve its growth and health. Extending this definition into the realm of human behavior the word has the meaning of correction or chastisement. We chastise or correct a child in order to improve the child’s behavior…not to punish the child without limit! Interesting is it not that a parent who tried to do that today would be considered a tyrant beyond belief (even by those who propagate endless, conscious penalty!).
In his New Testament Synonyms, the scholar Trench defines kolasis in the above manner, but then adds that its use in the New Testament (it occurs only twice) is much severer. Trench gives no legitimate justification for this opinion, presumably basing it on his theology! This is an example of how theology has added to the meaning of Scriptural words as if to ‘help God out’ by molding a certain phrase into some hideous, imagined reality! All of which only serves to bear out what our brother said in his address today - let us do our own homework and discover what key Scriptural words meant WHEN THEY WERE WRITTEN. Thank you Bro. Alan!
Awesome as usual Alan!!