The Current Controversy: For most of 2000 years of church history men of faith have held to the teaching of the eternal punishment of the wicked. Currently, among evangelical Christians, some scholars of renown are espousing the position known as annihilationism. This is the belief that the wicked ultimately cease to exist, i.e. punishment is not eternal. These men are Clark Pinnock, John R. Stott, Phillip E. Hughes, and John Wenham. This view is also held by Seventh Day Adventists, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and The World-wide Church of God (Armstrongism).
B. Main Questions associated with the teaching of Eternal Punishment, i.e. Hell:
1. Is hell a reality? Can educated people in this day and age really believe in a literal hell?
2. How can a loving God confine people to such punishment?