Chat GPT was asked: Who's the biggest annihilationist today?

As of my last knowledge update in September 2021, it's challenging to pinpoint the single "biggest" annihilationist advocate or theologian because theological figures can vary widely, depending on the context and community. Additionally, my information may not be up to date with the latest developments in theology.

However, some contemporary theologians and scholars known for their advocacy of annihilationism include:

1  Edward Fudge. Edward Fudge was a prominent advocate of annihilationism until his passing in 2017. His book "The Fire That Consumes" is often cited as a foundational work in defense of annihilationism.

2  Chris Date. Chris Date is a well-known advocate for conditional immortality and annihilationism. He is the founder of Rethinking Hell, an organization dedicated to promoting this perspective through articles, podcasts, and conferences.

3  Glenn Peoples. Glen Peoples is a theologian and host of the podcast "Say Hello to my Little Friend," where he discusses various theological topics, including annihilationism.

4  Roger Harper. Roger Harper a British theologian and author known for his work in support of annihilationism. His book "The Lie of Hell" presents a case for conditional immortality.

Am I the first to review this book? Definitely thought provoking. Quite in-depth and I guess a re-read might be required for the lay person to fully understand what Harper is saying. Suffice to say, Harper makes a very good case to blow eternal torment for the majority out of the water. Some might consider his views too liberal and 'weak'. Others might think he hasn't gone far enough. One thing is certain, Harper meets head on what most Christians have pondered and worried about but have dared not ask. Or have been happy to ignore and 'trust' God. Recommended.

Review on eden.co.uk 

Yes, another book on the hell question. This one, however, has a few new ideas to propound.

The author (an Anglican minister) points out that, whereas much has been written in recent years about Gehenna--representing the lake of fire and ultimate destination of the wicked--too little attention has been given to Hades. The fact that some English versions of the Bible have translated both words as `hell' has caused immense confusion, and it would be better to drop the word `hell' altogether and instead use the transliterations `Gehenna' and `Hades'.

Regarding the former the author is an annihilationist. He exposes as a 'lie' the traditional teaching of the church that the judgment of hell is everlasting conscious torment. Gehenna is grim and painful, but it issues, in God's good time, in cessation of existence. This seems to be becoming the mainstream view now among Christians of many types.

Hades he describes as a 'remand prison' where the wicked await the final judgment at Christ's return. Because Jesus, according to Revelation, holds the keys of Hades, he has entry there at will, and the love he shows to the inmates will elicit a positive response from some, who will thus be saved. So, in the author's view, another aspect of the traditional church's 'lie' is the notion that death rules out any further opportunity to embrace Christ's salvation.

In the middle of the book, after he has set out some hermeneutical principles (the chief one being `Listen to Jesus') and examined the biblical vocabulary of hell, he includes a helpful summary of available books espousing different views on the fate of the wicked: annihilationist, universalist, traditionalist and escapist, plus books by people who have had near-death experiences. In my opinion it's worth buying his book for this feature alone. Also helpful is his `history of hell', showing the development of the doctrine down the centuries.

Some readers may consider that the author at times builds too much of a case on fairly obscure Bible passages, reaching conclusions that may be open to question. Others will have wobbles about the `prophetic' element at the end of the book--a record of the author's conversations with God (which I found wordy, hard to follow and tempting to skip). But there are also some sound pointers to the way forward on the hell question, and much to provoke serious thought.

David Matthew on Amazon

4 Stars

I think the book is especially valuable to me for two reasons. Firstly, because it sets out both a clear path of teaching on the future life, together with a range of options explored by people over the years. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, because it starts with an approach to doing theology which is both clear and generous, not party political or denominational, but which invites agreement or disagreement…

When it seems that Biblical theology (as distinct from your Christ derived theology) is far too negative, the God of the Bible too destructive, (even a serial abuser, climaxing with his son but finalising with global torment and destruction prior to the new heavens and new earth), anihilation is the only realistic option, and the invitation for eternal life too chancy, unrealistic, unattractive and contrary to scientific assumptions. By stripping away the layers of sub-Christian tradition on Hell, you have restored to me God's inherent attractiveness, and some hope for positive life beyond the grave

What I most appreciate is the journey with you through the method, almost a case study, of hearing the teaching of Jesus, then applying it radically to assess all other writing. You do take seriously the role of the Holy Spirit in leading us on the foundation of Jesus into material he never got round to saying in the flesh, and into current questions and situations.

Your starting point allows you to range generously over massive swathes of human insight, including that from other religions, because you have a secure anchorage. Having done a bit of academic work, I spot the lack of reasons given for choosing these particular authors, but they seem well representative of the developing Christian tradition, even though little survives the cutting distinction between Gehenna and Hades.

You base your enquiries on the teaching of Jesus. I'm English enough to demand evidence. I appreciate the invitation to stop drifting and anchor on the simple teaching of Jesus, concerning Hades (temporary challenging imprisonment pending trial), Heaven and Gehenna (destruction). (Tom Wright's teaching on a new earth adds here.) However I want evidence but cannot see any….

While appreciating your starting point /critique point, I cannot share it. I therefore prefer the Buddha's refusal to talk about anything after death. I'd concentrate on how to live now… and choose to mainly hear Jesus, and indeed the Bible, on the practice of daily life. And here your emphasis on judgement based on what we do sounds right by instinctive English standards.

Theology has a purpose; to heal the world. In such a context, your main chapter would be 'recommendations'; that we should confess, abandon and renounce our allegiance to the Greek, Roman, Manichean and Islamic constructed conception of hell as a place of persisting torment, and use the original two distinct words of Jesus. This sets us free to preach without restraint the God who is eternally kind to the ungrateful and the wicked, and to recognise that destruction is as possible for us as it is for anyone else, because it is based on our actions: practical care for others, particularly the downtrodden. We must therefore renounce torture and any behaviour that debases others, especially children. Your thesis is, I suggest, demonstrably proven by evidence from communities who practice these insights.

Your final chapter contains your questions to God and answers you have received. It reminded me a little of the work of Neale Donald Walsch, whose 'conversations with God' have been continuing for years http://www.nealedonaldwalsch.com/index.php?p=Resources . … His critique of Christianity, like those of so many other people, is pretty accurate; and your insight into those two words that Jesus used would give Christians a massive lever to rid themselves of the justifiable criticisms others give.

Thank you for writing this stimulating book.

Revd. Philip Tyers, a Church of England priest

An intriguing view on what happens after death. Though Roger holds to a conditionalist view of judgement (Gehenna) he argues for a conscious intermediate state (Sheol/Hades). It is thoroughly researched regarding Gehenna but as Roger notes, not many have studied or taught on Hades and there is much confusion. I'm not 100% convinced by his conclusions but I found them a great starting point for further study and the book does add to the conversation around this doctrine of judgement. There is hope to be found.

My main complaint was in the structure of the book, the conclusions on hades would have fit more logically before a section on summarising other books.
I'm looking forward to meeting Roger soon and discussing his book and the doctrine of judgement soon. I'm hoping either a summary of our conversation or a recording will be at https://thehellproject.online

Philip Duncalfe on Goodreads

4 stars

(by the way the conclusions on Hades and Gehenna do come before the book reviews)