Hell’s Origin
Ξ April 14th, 2008 | → 5 Comments | ∇ Life |
ENDLESS PUNISHMENT OF HEATHEN ORIGIN
We should bear a fact in mind. When the doctrine of endless punishment began to be taught in the Christian Church, it was not derived from the Scriptures, but from the heathen converts to Christianity, who accepted Christ, but who brought with them into their new church that doctrine which had for centuries been taught in heathen lands, but which neither Moses nor Christ accepted. And having received the idea from heathen tradition, it was natural that the early Christians should transfer it to the Bible, and seek to find it there. Words with other meanings in the original Greek texts were suddenly tied to this heathen concept when the NT was translated into Latin, which over time made it appear that hell had always been present in the original manuscripts.
That heathen invented this doctrine is undeniable.
Says
Cicero is only one of many of the writers of the Roman period who wrote on the subject.
Says Polbius, the Greek historian: "The multitude is ever fickle and capricious, full of lawless passions and irrational and violent resentments. There is no way left to keep them in order but by the terrors of future punishment, and all the pompous circumstances that attend such fiction! On which account the ancients acted, in my opinion, with great judgment and penetration, when they contrived to bring those notions of the gods and a future state into the popular belief."
This horrible heathen dogma sought entrance into the Christian church in vain for the first three centuries after Christ, and though here and there a heathenized Christian (Augustine) announced it, it did not become an accredited Christian doctrine till after more than five centuries. Dr. Edward Beecher candidly confesses that as late as three hundred years after Christ it had hardly obtained a foothold.
He says: "What, then, was the state of facts as to the leading theological schools of the Christian world in the age of Origen and some centuries after? It was, in brief, this: There were at least six theological schools in the church at large. Of these six schools, one, and only one, was decidedly and earnestly in favor of the doctrine of future eternal punishment. One was in favor of the annihilation of the wicked. Two were in favor of the doctrine of universal restoration on the principles of Origen, and two in favor of universal restoration on the principles of Theodore of Mopsuestia."
That is to say, here were four times as many Universalist theological schools, where clergymen were educated, as there were schools in which endless punishment was taught, even as late as A. D. 300. But from that time onward, as darkness increased, the heathen idea was more and more transferred to the sacred page, till it entirely overlaid and obscured the truth. and it was not until the light of the Reformation began to dawn that the profane inscriptions of heathen tradition were erased from the palimpsest of the Scriptures, so that the meaning of the inspired authors could be apprehended.
*borrowed from, Pantelism.com
*Italics are my additions
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on April 15th, 2008 at 10:29 AM
Looking back at the history is so, so fascinating. And yet I come across people severely offended by even the idea of universal reconciliation.
We’re all a product of our times, and our ability to transcend that only goes so far, I guess.
on April 15th, 2008 at 12:47 PM
I love these church history pieces and the perspective they give. Wow! Look how far the mainstream church has strayed! But also, look at the “full circle” starting to come back into view! I’ll bet folks are getting more ready than we think to hear and embrace the reconciliatory news of the nature of our Father. Thanks, Don.
Oh, BTW, I’m going to be back in the metroplex area the last weekend of April for a visit with the fam. Maybe it would work out to have “McChurch” with you and dad and whoever else is around. Hope to see you then!
on April 15th, 2008 at 2:12 PM
Michael- I have come to believe that some of the resistance may be “I’ve ‘worked’ hard for my salvation. And you tell me everyone will be in heaven. It isn’t fair”. The other aspect of that may be that folks are “mad” that no one told them before now and in turn they say it can’t be true.
Jared- You know me, the history teacher, if it’s history, I’m there. I firmly believe it was my love of history that began my journey. Are you talking April 26-27? If so, I’ll put it on my calendar. You were talking about “full circle”. Your Dad and I feel the same way. Christianity started “universalist” (4 of the 6 theology schools)and now it’s coming “full circle”.
on June 16th, 2008 at 6:03 PM
Dear Fine Folks,
It is a good idea to read “Original Blessing” by Fr Matthew Fox,O.P.(Dominican), where the Fall-Redemptive” model is exploded and shown for its invalidity. It is repleced by Mystics and Nature Saints as Francis of Assisi, Teresa of Avila…
Please read this illuminating opus.
Sincere Blessings,
Patri Artu Francis PhD
Essene Orthodox priest
on June 16th, 2008 at 7:09 PM
Thank you for commenting. I have seen several references to Fr. Fox’s articles. I currently adhere to no Christian group and am seeking truth on my own with God’s help.