Welcome to Apologetics with Carl Kerby!
Today, we’re talking about annihilationism.
The idea of annihilationism – that a loving God wouldn’t send anyone to Hell and so will make the unsaved “cease to exist” in eternity – is a false concept but one that’s gaining acceptance even in Evangelical circles.
But the annihilation of sinners is really just wishful thinking by those who want to reject Christ, live in sin, and pretend they won’t face God’s judgment. In Matthew 25:46, Jesus clearly describes an ETERNITY for both the wicked and the righteous: “And these [the wicked] will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” (ESV)
As John MacArthur said, “[I]f hell isn’t eternal . . . [n]either is heaven . . . If there is eternal life, then there is eternal punishment. Get rid of hell and you have to get rid of heaven as being forever.”
What else is wrong with the idea of annihilationism? We’ll discuss that another time.
For additional resources, go to www.hopetools.net. Stay bold!
Carl Kerby is the founder of Reasons for Hope and co-creator of the DeBunked apologetic video series. His radio feature, Fast Facts, is heard weekly on VCY America, Saturdays at 9:25 AM Central.
