In "uncomfortable words of comfort" Jefferson Vann explains why attempts at comforting him at a recent funeral made him feel uncomfortable. I just laid to rest the last surviving member of the family I grew up with. The casket is buried, the funeral service is over, the funeral director is paid, and I have returned from my home State. During the ordeal, I have appreciated … [Read more...]
day of wrath
In "day of wrath" Jefferson Vann concludes on the basis of Romans 2:5 that God has not yet poured out his wrath on anyone. Today I just want to share a few thoughts based on Romans 2:5."But because of your obstinacy and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath for yourselves in the day of wrath, when God's righteous condemnation is going to be revealed!" The … [Read more...]
Peter’s synonym for Gehenna
In “Peter’s synonym for Gehenna,” Jefferson Vann explains how Peter, Paul, and the other apostles described the ultimate fate of the lost. You know that passage in the Bible where the apostle Peter confronts Simon the sorcerer and tells him “May your silver perish with you”? He didn’t actually say that. What he said was much more interesting. But first – a little … [Read more...]
Stephen’s murder
In “Stephen’s murder,” Jefferson Vann shares some notes on his translation of Acts 7:55-8:2. The text serves as a case study of Luke’s use of metaphors for death and murder. It shows that the theology of Acts is thoroughly conditionalist, with no trace of traditional dualism. My independent translation project continues, and this morning I found myself in the last part of … [Read more...]
two case studies – the meaning of ἀπόλλυμι in Acts
In “two case studies – the meaning of ἀπόλλυμι in Acts” Jefferson Vann shows that the word expressing the fate of the wicked properly means “to be destroyed.” Seven years ago, Tarnya wrote a small article in which she contrasted two theological opinions on the meaning of the Greek word ἀπόλλυμι (apollumi). She quoted Bill Mounce as arguing that the word can mean … [Read more...]
expiration date
In “expiration date,” Jefferson Vann explains why the death of Ananias and Sapphira was a real death, not simply the departure of their “immortal souls.” I have a routine that I like to follow every morning. Part of that routine is writing a short devotional thought, and posting in online (https://marmsky.com/). After I do that, I usually go back to the scriptures, and … [Read more...]
an index to my references to Genesis
Jefferson Vann shares an index of the references to Genesis in all his posts online. I have been working on a project which involves archiving and indexing all of my writings. Since many of the links I am collecting are from my Afterlife articles, I thought some of our readers might be interested in that index. It includes links from articles posted elsewhere as well, … [Read more...]
“all live to him!”
Jefferson Vann explains the meaning of the Phrase “all live to him!” in Luke 20:38. Luke 20:37-38 (JDV) “But that the dead are raised, even Moses revealed at the bush, when he calls the Lord the God of Abraham and God of Isaac and God of Jacob. Now he is not God of the dead, but of the living, because all live to him!” Is everyone still alive? Is that what … [Read more...]
God’s mercy and the death-state
In "God’s mercy and the death-state" Jefferson Vann shows that death as it is presently experienced by all is a demonstration of the merciful nature of God. One of the truths the Bible reveals about God’s character is that he is merciful – compassionate, even to those who do not deserve mercy. In fact, the Old Testament often highlights God’s two attributes of grace and … [Read more...]
no ghosts within us
In ‘no ghosts within us’ Jefferson Vann shows that the Old Testament poetical books do not suggest a dual nature for humanity. They teach that humans are dependent on God for life. Our final look at the Old Testament use of רוּחַ (ruach) will cover the remaining books – the poetical category. The word רוּחַ appears 259 times in 108 verses of Job, Psalms, Proverbs and … [Read more...]