THE FIRE THAT RECONCILES: THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS ON THE DOCTRINE OF ETERNAL PUNISHMENT, WITH SPECIAL CONSIDERATION OF ANNIHILATIONISM AND TRADITIONALISM Shawn Bawulski A Thesis Submitted for the Degree of PhD at the University of St Andrews 2012 Full metadata for this item is available in Research@StAndrews:FullText at: http://research-repository.st-andrews.ac.uk/ Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/10023/3115 This item is protected by original copyright UNIVERSITY OF ST ANDREWS ST MARY’S COLLEGE ༒ THE FIRE THAT RECONCILES: THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS ON THE DOCTRINE OF ETERNAL PUNISHMENT, WITH SPECIAL CONSIDERATION OF ANNIHILATIONISM AND TRADITIONALISM A THESIS SUBMITTED BY SHAWN BAWULSKI TO THE FACULTY OF DIVINITY IN CANDIDACY FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY ST ANDREWS, SCOTLAND May 2012 ii Declarations I, Shawn Bawulski, hereby certify that this thesis, which is approximately 80,000 words in length, has been written by me, that it is the record of work carried out by me and that it has not been submitted in any previous application for a higher degree. date ____________ signature of candidate _________________________________ I was admitted as a research student in September, 2008 and as a candidate for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in April, 2009; the higher study for which this is a record was carried out in the University of St Andrews between 2008 and 2012. date ____________ signature of candidate _________________________________ I hereby certify that the candidate has fulfilled the conditions of the Resolution and Regulations appropriate for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the University of St Andrews and that the candidate is qualified to submit this thesis in application for that degree. date ____________ signature of supervisor _________________________________ iii Copyright In submitting this thesis to the University of St Andrews I understand that I am giving permission for it to be made available for use in accordance with the regulations of the University Library for the time being in force, subject to any copyright vested in the work not being affected thereby. I also understand that the title and the abstract will be published, and that a copy of the work may be made and supplied to any bona fide library or research worker, that my thesis will be electronically accessible for personal or research use unless exempt by award of an embargo as requested below, and that the library has the right to migrate my thesis into new electronic forms as required to ensure continued access to the thesis. I have obtained any third-party copyright permissions that may be required in order to allow such access and migration, or have requested the appropriate embargo below. The following is an agreed request by candidate and supervisor regarding the electronic publication of this thesis: Access to all of printed copy but embargo of all of electronic publication of thesis for a period of 3 years on the following ground(s): publication would be commercially damaging to the researcher, or to the supervisor, or the University; publication would preclude future publication. date ____________ signature of candidate _________________________________ date ____________ signature of supervisor _________________________________ iv Abstract This study enters into the dialog within Christian theology between annihilationism and traditionalism on the nature of eternal punishment. The positions and issues within the topic will be examined theologically and analyzed doctrinally. In my first chapter I will summarize the views and arguments in the debate, establish operating definitions, address preliminary issues, and provide some historical context. I will establish a thesis agenda with dual aspects: negatively, to examine and critique annihilationism on theological grounds, and positively to offer arguments for a modified traditionalism. Chapters two, three, and four primarily serve the negative purpose. Chapter two critically considers annihilationism on exegetical and hermeneutical issues, concluding that the view is inferior to traditionalism. Chapter three examines annihilationism for consistency with other areas of Christian theology, concluding that the view generates major theological problems in Christology. Chapter four considers both annihilationism and traditionalism regarding the disproportionality problem of hell, concluding that annihilationism and two types of traditionalism can resolve the problem but of these three only one sort of traditionalism can do so whilst also satisfying other important theological criteria. Regarding the negative aspect of the thesis, I conclude that the severe theological problems in annihilationism constitute sufficient reason to reject the view. v In chapter five I accomplish the positive aspect of this thesis, offering six criteria of success for any view of eternal punishment. I then provide detailed argumentation for a modified traditionalism called reconciliationism, concluding it best meets these criteria and is the most theologically and exegetically satisfying view on offer. In the concluding chapter I state this thesis’ contributions, suggest several areas for further research, and offer some implications for pastoral theology. I finally conclude that annihilationism has seemingly insurmountable theological problems, but a modified traditionalism can succeed as a doctrine of hell. vi Acknowledgements Scotland and more particularly the small university town of St Andrews has provided an idyllic setting for thinking theologically about the gift of the Christian faith. This is largely because of extraordinary relationships we have had with fantastic people. In addition to the empowering support from our families, illumination and encouragement from a number of people have made the time researching this project in St Andrews so very enjoyable. Several deserve recognition. The donors who have supported us through the Ministry and Education Foundation have proved invaluable. Without their prayer support, encouragement, and financial assistance this project would almost certainly not have happened. Such value and support of academic rigor wed with Christian commitment is truly exemplary. It has been a privilege to participate in the St Mary’s postgraduate community. These friends have provided a remarkably supportive and intellectually vibrant Christian environment. Special thanks to my colleagues from the Hadow room and all those in the Roundel who have sharpened my thinking, warmed my heart, and encouraged my faith. Further thanks are due to the spouses and families of colleagues who have shared in life and faith with my own family. The worshipping community at the St Andrews Free Church of Scotland have provided a place for us to grow in our faith and put theology into practice. Special recognition of thanks is in order to Alasdair MacLeod and Grant Macaskill for affording me the opportunity to hone my preaching skills through regular pulpit supply. vii The St Mary’s faculty have been enormously helpful and supportive in this project and in my academic development. I am particularly thankful for the interaction given by the participants, both by faculty and students, of the Theology Research Seminar. My thesis examiners, Dr. Mark Elliott and Professor Oliver Crisp, were extremely helpful in their critical remarks and provided a thorough, challenging, and stimulation engagement with my arguments during the examination. While I am thankful to all of my postgraduate colleagues and their families, several merit specific mention for special assistance beyond friendship and support. Patrick Egan, Stephen Presley, Andrew Johnson, Allen Jones, Sheree Lear, Ryan Mullins, and Jim Watkins, amongst others, have been instrumental in my theological and academic development. David Sonju and Ian Church, in addition to being similarly instrumental to my development, deserve a heartfelt expression of gratitude for their personal and emotional support during the times the weight of this research topic became too heavy for one person to bear. In various ways they each have been to me on this quest as Samwise to Frodo, and for that I am grateful beyond words. I am thankful for my friend John Feinberg, whose mentorship throughout my seminary training has provided the best of foundations for doctoral study. His wealth of experience, his excellence in theological thought, and his commitment to serving the church through academic ministry have illuminated the path I intend to follow; it is an additional pleasure that he continues to walk with me along this path as my friend. My supervisor, Stephen R. Holmes, has exceeded all expectations in guiding me through this process. His theological insight, probing feedback, and tenacious encouragement viii have brought me to where I am; his academic and intellectual rigor, theological acuity, and service to the local church are an example of what I aspire to be. It must be said that my lovely wife Sara is the real heroine of this period of our lives. She worked several jobs to support us financially, bore our two daughters, and propped up our family with countless acts of service and love. Her support and perseverance through the chaos of young children and my erratic work schedule have made all the difference, and the depths of my gratitude for all she has done elude the proper expression she deserves. Finally, I am thankful for my dog, Piper, who happily accompanied me on countless runs as I sought cathartic