Four Views on Hell


Book Description

Recent years have seen much controversy regarding a unified Christian doctrine of hell: Do we go to heaven or hell when we die? Or do we cease to exist? Are believers and unbelievers ultimately saved by grace in the end? By focusing on recent theological arguments, Four Views on Hell: Second Edition highlights why the church still needs to wrestle with the doctrine of hell. In the fair-minded and engaging Counterpoints format, four leading scholars introduce us to the current views on eternal judgment, with particular attention given to the new voices that have entered the debate. Contributors and views include: Denny Burk – representing a principle of Eternal Conscious Torment John Stackhouse – representing a principle of Annihilationism (Conditional Immortality) Robin Parry – representing a principle of Universalism (Ultimate Reconciliation) Jerry Walls – representing a principle of Purgatory Preston Sprinkle concludes the discussion by evaluating each view, noting significant points of exchange between the essayists. The interactive nature of the volume allows the reader to reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of each view and come to an informed conclusion. BONUS CONTENT: Includes entire first edition of Four Views on Hell to help readers grasp the history of the discussion and how it has developed over the last twenty years.




Understanding End Times Prophecy


Book Description

Many Christians think of end times prophecy as a gigantic, intimidating puzzle -- difficult to piece together and impossible to figure out. But every puzzle can be solved if you approach it the right way. Paul Benware compares prophecy to a picture puzzle. Putting the edge pieces together first builds the 'framework' that makes it easier to fit the other pieces in their place. According to Benware, the framework for eschatology is the biblical covenants. He begins his comprehensive survey by explaining the major covenants. Then he discusses several different interpretations of end times prophecy. Benware digs into the details of the Rapture, the Great Tribulation, the judgements and resurrections, and the millennial kingdom. But he also adds a unique, personal element to the study, answering questions as: -Why study bible prophecy? -What difference does it make if I'm premillenial or amillenial? If what the Bible says about the future puzzles you, Understanding End Times Prophecy will help you put together the pieces and see the big picture.




Revelation


Book Description

The final book of the Bible, Revelation prophesies the ultimate judgement of mankind in a series of allegorical visions, grisly images and numerological predictions. According to these, empires will fall, the "Beast" will be destroyed and Christ will rule a new Jerusalem. With an introduction by Will Self.




Jesus the Bridegroom


Book Description

Did Jesus claim to be the "bridegroom"? If so, what did he mean by this claim? When Jesus says that the wedding guests should not fast "while the bridegroom is with them" (Mark 2:19), he is claiming to be a bridegroom by intentionally alluding to a rich tradition from the Hebrew Bible. By eating and drinking with "tax collectors and other sinners," Jesus was inviting people to join him in celebrating the eschatological banquet. While there is no single text in the Hebrew Bible or the literature of the Second Temple Period which states the "messiah is like a bridegroom," the elements for such a claim are present in several texts in Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Hosea. By claiming that his ministry was an ongoing wedding celebration he signaled the end of the Exile and the restoration of Israel to her position as the Lord's beloved wife. This book argues that Jesus combined the tradition of an eschatological banquet with a marriage metaphor in order to describe the end of the Exile as a wedding banquet.




Galatians


Book Description

Galatians is one of the earliest of the Pauline letters and is therefore among the first documents written by Christians in the first century. Paul’s letter to the Galatians deals with the first real controversy in the early church: the status of Jews and gentiles in this present age and the application of the Law of Moses to gentiles. Paul argues passionately that gentiles are not “converting” to Judaism and therefore should not be expected to keep the Law. Gentiles who accept Jesus as Savior are “free in Christ,” not under the bondage of the Law. Galatians also deals with an important pastoral issue in the early church as well. If gentiles are not “under the Law,” are they free to behave any way they like? Does Paul’s gospel mean that gentiles can continue to live like pagans and still be right with God? For Paul, the believer’s status as an adopted child of God enables them to serve God freely as dearly loved children. Galatians: Freedom through God's Grace is commentary for laypeople, Bible teachers, and pastors who want to grasp how the original readers of Galatians would have understood Paul’s letter and how this important ancient letter speaks to Christians living in similar situations in the twenty-first century.




The Bedrock of Christianity


Book Description

Can we all agree on some things about Jesus, regardless of our belief--or unbelief? Perhaps surprisingly, there is a lot upon which all scholars can agree. When surveying historical scholarship, there are certain truths about Jesus that Christians, agnostics, and skeptics must affirm. In The Bedrock of Christianity, Justin Bass shows how--regardless of one's feelings about Christianity--there lies a bedrock of truths about Jesus's life and ministry that are held by virtually all scholars of religion. Through an examination of each of these key facts, readers will encounter the unalterable truths upon which everyone can agree. Useful for both Christians and non-Christians alike, this study demonstrates what we can really know about the historical truth of Jesus' death and resurrection.




Recovering the Monstrous in Revelation


Book Description

Strange hybrid and liminal creatures populate the pages of the book of Revelation but only some are called monsters. Heather Macumber challenges traditional binary descriptors of good and evil to argue that all cosmic beings are monstrous, whether they originate in heaven or the abyss.




Rapture Fusion


Book Description

The Bible's prophesies about the end-times can baffle even the most voracious Bible scholars and theologians. Their surreal symbolic imagery and convoluted timelines cause many Christians to make the appalling decision to avoid reading them all together, wrongly believing that they cannot be understood and/or don't apply to them. Rapture Fusion highlights the critical importance that every Christian read and understand end-times prophesy, as it does apply to every believer and can be systematically dissected to reveal a consistent and coherent timeline and description of future events. If you want to understand the most common schools of thought on the end-times and what the Bible really has to say concerning the tribulation, rapture, second-coming, millennium, and more, this thorough and scripture-based exploration of end-times prophesy is for you.







Abaddon


Book Description

Become the Lord of Darkness himself through a physical incarnation of Abaddon with this fearless guide to crossing the Abyss. Harness the underworld forces of necromancy with the most powerful group grimoire of the demon Abaddon in history. Learn the most advanced magick breakthroughs and hear crazy but true experiences from 8 of the world's top demonologists: E.A. Koetting, Michael W. Ford, Edgar Kerval, Bill Duvendack, Orlee Stewart, V.K. Jehannum & Enoch B. Petrucelly. Book 1 - E.A. Koetting - The Grimoire of Abaddon Grimoire of Abaddon p.35 Introduction p.37 The Last Lock p.41 Unlocking the Bottomless Pit p.59 Black Renunciation p.79 Abaddon's Jiva-Samsara Karma Trap p.97 Becoming a Monster God p.113 The Devil's Idol p.127 Book 2 - Michael W. Ford - Apollyon: Angel of the Bottomless Pit Apollyon: Angel of the Bottomless Pit p.135 Abaddon & the Abyss in Left-Hand Path Magick p.135 Darkness, the Abyss & Metaphysical Satanism p.141 Abaddon, the Place of Destruction p.141 Απολλυων-Apollyon the Destroyer 145 Canaanite Origins of Abaddon p.146 Apollo Hekatos-Shooter from Afar p.147 Abaddon in the Qliphoth p.150 Apollo the Locust God & God of Oracles p.152 The Hymns of Exterminans p.157 Bibliography p.158 Book 3 - Edgar Kerval - Abaddon: The Destroyer of Worlds Abaddon p.161 Destroyer of Worlds p.161 Consciousness, Reality & Reflections p.165 Ritual Sacrifices p.167 Initiatory Path of Fire p.172 The Mask of the Hunter p.175 The Mask of Vampire Predator p.175 Book 4 - Bill Duvendack - Ululate Exitium: The Beast, the Shadow & the Thing Ululate Exitium p.177 Abaddon p.178 The Beast p.180 To Mega Therion p.181 The Shadow p.183 The Dweller on the Threshold p.186 Choronzon p.187 H.P. Lovecraft & the "Thing on the Doorstep" p.189 Necromantic Connections p.190 Final Thoughts p.191 Book 5 - Orlee Stewart - Liber Inferi: The Book of Hell Liber Inferi: The Book of Hell p.195 Forerunners of the Apocalypse p.196 Open Wide the Gates of Hell p.200 Mother of Abominations p.206 Silvered Leaves p.208 Book 6 - V.K. Jehannum - Apollyon: The Abyssal God of Thaumiel Apollyon p.211 The Abyssal God of Thaumiel & the Black Sun p.211 Magickal Correspondences p.211 The Magick of Abaddon p.212 Magickal Chants p.219 Bibliography p.237 Book 7 - Enoch B. Petrucelly - Hades: Crossing the Abyss Hades p.239 Crossing the Abyss into Non-Being p.239 Introduction p.240 Hades as the Destroyer God p.240 The Use of the Daemon Tongue Language p.241 The Evocation of Hades p.242 The Rite of Crossing the Abyss p.245 The Crossing of the Abyss Step by Step p.248 The Fires of Hades p.251 A Cursing Rite p.251 The Rite of the Aeon p.254 The Badb: A Goddess of Death, War & Enlightenment p.259 Evokation of Badb p.261 Cursing the Slave Gods p.263 For Attainment of Greater Freedom & Power p.263 Grimoire Closing p.268