Tag Archives: hell

Seeking Theodicy: Sergius Bulgakov and the Apoktastasis

Posted on 13 September 2021 by Fr Aidan Kimel

We seek theodicy. We desiderate a convincing justification for the suffering, privation, violence, futility, and death of this world. We desire assurance that this world is good and our Creator is good. We need hope that Christ will triumph over … Continue reading →

Posted in Eschatology, Sergius Bulgakov | Tagged , , , , , , , | 108 Comments

The Triumph of the Kingdom Over Gehenna

Posted on 23 August 2021 by Fr Aidan Kimel

“Those who are punished in Gehenna are scourged by the scourge of love”—these famous words of St Isaac the Syrian have profoundly influenced the Orthodox understanding of hell and damnation. Readers of St Isaac’s writings have for centuries assumed that … Continue reading →

Posted in Eschatology, Isaac the Syrian | Tagged , , , , | 10 Comments

St Isaac of Nineveh and the Scourge of Love

Posted on 15 August 2021 by Fr Aidan Kimel

God has created humanity for eternal communion with himself. By love he has created us for love to share in the Trinitarian paradise of love. Hear the inspiring words of St Isaac of Nineveh: Paradise is the love of God, … Continue reading →

Posted in Eschatology, Isaac the Syrian | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

St Augustine of Hippo and the Misericordes

Posted on 2 August 2021 by Fr Aidan Kimel

Over the past decade I have noticed—and perhaps you have too—that most Christians who have thought about matters eschatological believe that Origen of Alexandria concocted out of the blue the doctrine of universal salvation. But in truth the greater hope … Continue reading →

Posted in Eschatology | Tagged , , , , , , | 36 Comments

The Greater Hope: How do I find a God who triumphs over evil and death?

Posted on 19 May 2021 by Fr Aidan Kimel

Once upon a time, I would have been considered a traditionalist. That was back when I was an Episcopal priest. In my parishes I was known for my evangelical-Lutheran preaching (thank you Robert Jenson) and my firm commitment to Anglican … Continue reading →

Posted in Eschatology, Theology | Tagged , , , , , , , | 43 Comments

Supplying the Missing Universalist Premise

Posted on 17 February 2021 by Fr Aidan Kimel

Last week Dr Brendan Triffett published “Where the Chasm Really Lies: A Libertarian Infernalist Responds to Fr Aidan Kimel.” It’s not often that anyone directly replies to my writings on the greater hope, so I quickly read it. I confess … Continue reading →

Posted in Eschatology | Tagged , , , , , , | 75 Comments

When Hell Becomes Dogma: Damning to Nothingness

Posted on 15 February 2021 by Fr Aidan Kimel

My working principle: once eternal damnation is accepted by an ecclesial community as dogmatically binding, three things happen: Holy Scripture and the patristic tradition will be read through the dogma. Preaching and theological speculation will be governed by the dogma, … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews, David B. Hart, Eschatology, Paul Griffiths | Tagged , , , , , | 27 Comments

The Deep Patristic Roots of Hart’s Universalism: A Response to Fr Lawrence Farley

Posted on 2 February 2021 by Fr Aidan Kimel

by Mark Chenoweth Many of the critics of David Bentley Hart’s presentation of universalism in his That All Shall Be Saved argue that he doesn’t give nearly enough weight to church tradition. I agree. However, these critics, the latest one … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews, David B. Hart, Eschatology, Mark Chenoweth | Tagged , , , , , , | 94 Comments