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Where is Hell? by David Burge

May 2, 2010 By admin 1 Comment

Where is hell?

The most popular suggestion is that it is at the centre of the earth. (It certainly is hot down there). According to wikipedia: It’s in Norway. Hell is a village in Stjørdal, Norway with a population of 352. It has become a minor tourist attraction because of its name, since people like to take the train there to get photographed in front of the station sign. The station sign reads “Gods-expedition”, an old spelling of the Norwegian word for “cargo handling” – godsekspedisjon would be the current spelling.

Actually hell (Gehenna) is a valley south of Jerusalem where corrupt Jews burned their children as offerings to the god, Molech. It was later “desecrated” by good King Josiah. Jeremiah denounced the evil done in this place. Later rubbish from the city was burned in the valley. Thus the word Gehenna, meaning valley of Hinnom, became a suitable picture of a place of final destruction rather than torment. See 2Kings 23:10; Jeremiah 7:31; 19:2.

References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hell,_Norway

Filed Under: From Death To Life Tagged With: ,

How to Persevere by Rev. Jefferson Vann

May 1, 2010 By admin 1 Comment

Hebrews 12:1-3 ESV
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.
The Context of Hebrews
The book of Hebrews is a letter written to Jewish Christians in the 1st century who were being tempted and pressured to renounce their loyalty to Christ, and return to Judaism without Christ. They had to learn to persevere under that pressure without giving up their faith. All Christians of all ages can benefit from the truths revealed in this book, because we always face ordeals and challenges that seek to destroy our faith. The principles taught in the book of Hebrews can show us how to persevere.

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From Off the Shelf: ‘Body, Soul and Human Life: The Nature of Humanity in the Bible’ — Joel B. Green

May 1, 2010 By admin 1 Comment

Reviewed by David Burge

Joel B. Green (PhD, University of Aberdeen) is now professor of New Testament interpretation at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California, after teaching at Asbury Theological Seminary for ten years, serving as vice president of academic affairs and provost. He is the author and / or editor of a number of books, including Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels, Introducing the New Testament, and commentaries on Luke and 1 Peter. This is not however, what he is most remembered for in our family. Our Association brought Dr. Joel and Pam Green to New Zealand in September of 2005. The late Carl Josephson, who had organised the trip, was not well enough to tour with Joel, so I reluctantly (because my wife was pregnant and due to give birth while Joel and Pam were here) volunteered. By the providence of God, our baby boy arrived early (the only one of our eight children that arrived early). To remember the circumstances we named our boy Timothy Joel Burge and I got to spend a wonderful few weeks with Pam and Joel.
Once again, Joel has combined his extensive knowledge of biblical theology with his equally thorough grasp of the science of the brain to produce a volume that will be of interest to all Conditionalists. Some theologians have seen “that the encounter of long-held theological tenets regarding the human person with the principled reflection on neuroscientific innovation is a major storm brewing on the horizon” (p.16). Doctor Green’s list (found on page 20) of what may be at stake includes the following:
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This is My Story—Part 2 by Tom Bennett FDTL Iss45

May 1, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

(Part 1 here)

Looking back now I can see Gods fingerprints over all the events of my journey.  But my journey was far from over, it had only just begun.  The advice from my sister Marie (I think of her as my spiritual mother) was “read your Bible”. I did and I couldn’t put it down, God was opening my mind as I read His word, words that once seemed empty and meaningless now teamed with life and meaning. God was leading me on a new journey, on His path to peace.

While staying at my sister Marie’s home, my brother-in-law Con found me a job with the courier company he worked for.  He told me there was this lovely Christian girl there who would be nice for me to meet.  I imagined that I would probably be introduced to someone’s grandmother (No offence to all those grandmothers out there) and wasn’t very interested, having decided to pursue Christ rather than a relationship. However, needless to say that lovely Christian girl is now my beautiful wife of almost 19 years.   God’s plans for me have been amazing and I thank Him for giving me Glenyss. For Glenyss and her family have been the means by which God has brought the truth of Conditional Immortality to my mind.
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Rejoicing in Our Sufferings Editorial—David Burge FDTL Iss 45

May 1, 2010 By admin 1 Comment

Beryl Ching, in her article on the resurrection in Acts, mentions a time when Peter and the other Apostles were called before the Sanhedrin to give account for their witness to the resurrection. The upshot of it all was that they were flogged and then let go under orders never to speak in that name (the name of Jesus again).

The reaction of the Apostles amazes me: “The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the name” (Acts 5:41). I don’t know about you but I struggle to rejoice in my suffering!

Romans 5:2-5 says, “And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God [The glory of God is often a synonym for the kingdom, Matthew 10:21, Mark 10:37]. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”

Romans 12:12 tells us, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

When the Hebrew Christians, under the strain of constant persecution, were wavering in their devotion to Christ they were told: “Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering. Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.” (Hebrews 10:32-34).

Notice that they “joyfully” accepted the confiscation of their property. And notice why. It was because they knew that they had “better and lasting possessions”, not at home hidden under the mattress, but in the form of eternal life in the coming kingdom of God.

If you want to be able to rejoice in your sufferings get to know more of the hope of the glory of the kingdom of God.

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