The Fire That Consumes: A Biblical and Historical Study of the Doctrine of Final Punishment, 3rd edition

Edward W. Fudge (J.D., University of Houston College of Law) is a well-known Christian thinker and Bible teacher. Fudge has authored a number of books, including, Two Views of Hell: A Biblical and Theological Dialog (with Robert A Peterson; IVP Academic, 2000), Hell A Final Word: The Surprising Truths I Found in the Bible (Leafwood, 2013), and the focus of the present review, The Fire that Consumes: A Biblical and Historical Study of the Doctrine of Final Punishment (third edition; Wipf & Stock, 2011).

The Fire that Consumes was a considered by many as a watershed book when it was initially released in 1982. Now, fully revised and expanded, this third edition of Fudges work has been received with open armsat least by some. For Fudge, the traditional understanding of Hell (eternal conscious torment upon the death for all unsaved) needs to be reconsidered in light of the biblical and historical data. Fudge offers an alternative approach to be embraced by the reader, namely Annihilationism (everlasting destruction and total annihilation after a period of conscious torment upon the death for all unsaved).

The Fire that Consumes continues to be one of the most comprehensive positive presentations of the Annihilationist position on the market today. Fudge leaves nearly no stone unturned in his interaction with the biblical and historical sources, though some will find his exegesis and interaction more convincing than others. The length of each chapter averages roughly 10 pages and the content therein seems intentionally focused. In other words, while Fudge could have easily condensed several chapters into one, he has sought to focus more narrowly and in smaller sections. This really functions for the benefit of the reader as they seek to analyze the overall effectiveness of Fudges arguments.

On a more personal note, I greatly appreciate the work that Fudge has put into this volume. It is scholarly, readable, well-documented and persuasively presented. Still, if I am completely honest, I found myself largely unconvinced by Fudges exegesis and biblical arguments against the traditionalist position. In all truthfulness, Fudge has caused me to seriously rethink my position on Hell. However, in doing so, while I am now more sensitive to the Annihilationist position in my understanding, I am more convinced that the traditional position is biblically represented. The Annihilationist position is certainly more emotionally appealing, and I honestly hope that such is the case for the sake of those witnessing such a destiny, but I cant shake the overarching witness of Scripturedespite Fudges attempt to say otherwise. With that said, this book is worth serious engagement and comes highly recommended!

I received a review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Conditionalism is the teaching in Christianity that eternal life is conditional. Otherwise those outside of Christ are lost in their sins and are doomed to destruction. The most famous passage in the Bible is John 3:16 and we must answer the question, "What does perish mean?"

In this book, Edward Fudge takes a biblical look at what the Bible says about hell. Does the Bible teach that God will send sinners to burn forever in hell? Does the Bible teach that sinners will possess eternal souls that can never be destroyed? Or does the Bible teach that eternal life is found only in Christ (Romans 6:23) and that God alone possesses immortality (1 Timothy 6:16)? Does the Bible teach that only the righteous will rise to eternal life and the unrighteous to judgment (John 5:29)? All of these and more are answered in this book.

This book has been useful to shake up many in their views on hell. Fudge does not reject hell. He simply rejects the notion that people will burn forever and ever and ever in hell. People will go to hell and be destroyed forever (2 Thessalonians 1:9). He believes that God has placed a condition on eternal life and that is they must be in Christ Jesus.

I highly recommend this book no matter your view on hell. It will be an eye opening book to read from a fellow Christian a view that will make you think.