Edward Fudge

Edward William Fudge
Born July 13, 1944 (1944-07-13) (age 67)
"rural Alabama"
Residence Houston, TX
Nationality American
Alma mater Abilene Christian University, University of Houston College of Law
Employer The Lanier Law Firm, LLP
Known for Annihilationist views of Hell
Website
www.edwardfudge.com

Edward William Fudge (born July 13, 1944) is an American Christian theologian and lawyer, best known for his book The Fire that Consumes, in which he argues against traditionalist Christian interpretations of Hell. He has been called "one of the foremost scholars on hell" by The Christian Post.[1] He is the subject of the film Hell and Mr. Fudge, scheduled for release in early 2012.

Contents

Personal life

Fudge was raised by devout parents. His mother was the child of missionaries to southern Africa, and his father was a Christian publisher and a minister in Churches of Christ.[2] He received bachelor's and master's degrees at Abilene Christian University and completed law school at the University of Houston College of Law.[3] Fudge was raised in non-institutional Churches of Christ, attending Florida College before transferring to Abilene Christian. After completing his master's in Biblical languages from Abilene, Fudge ministered for non-institutional Churches of Christ in St. Louis and Athens, Alabama.[4]

The Fire That Consumes

While Fudge has published several books, only The Fire That Consumes has been through multiple editions. The first edition was published in late 1982,[5] a second edition was published in 1994,[6] and a third published in 2011.[7] The book examines the doctrines of Hell, from both Old and New Testament references, as well as the the historical development of the doctrine of Hell as eternal, conscious torment.

Since its first publication, The Fire That Consumes has been cited in multiple different papers and articles reviewing non-traditional Christian doctrines of Hell, including articles in Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society,[8] Evangelical Quarterly,[9] Christian Research Institute Journal,[10][11] Reformation & Revival,[12] and Themelios.[13] Christianity Today picked it as one of four volumes representing the "annihilationist" viewpoint on Hell in a 2000 topical bibliography.[14]

In addition to The Fire That Consumes, Fudge's theological assertions regarding Hell were featured in Two Views of Hell: A Biblical & Theological Dialogue,[15] with Robert A. Peterson defending a traditional interpretation of Hell.

Hell and Mr. Fudge

Main article: Hell and Mr. Fudge

Fudge is the subject of a biopic, entitled Hell and Mr. Fudge, being produced by Pat Arrabito, directed by Jeff Wood, with Mackenzie Astin starting as Fudge. The film is currently in post-production, with a scheduled release date of "first quarter 2012".[16][17] Fudge had been cooperating in the film's development.[18]

References

  1. ^ Vu, Michelle A. (June 23, 2011). "Interview: Scholar Edward Fudge on Alternative Third View of Hell". The Christian Post. http://www.christianpost.com/news/interview-scholar-edward-fudge-on-alternative-third-view-of-hell-51497/. Retrieved December 23, 2011. 
  2. ^ "The Personal Pages". Edward Fudge Ministries. http://www.edwardfudge.com/personal.html. Retrieved December 23, 2011. 
  3. ^ "The Personal Pages: my professional life". Edward Fudge Ministries. http://www.edwardfudge.com/professional.html. Retrieved December 23, 2011. 
  4. ^ "A Conversation With Edward Fudge". New Wineskins. http://www.wineskins.org/filter.asp?SID=2&co_key=1420. Retrieved December 26, 2011. 
  5. ^ ISBN 0-89890-018-2, subtitled "A Biblical and Historical Study of Final Punishment", published by Providential Press
  6. ^ ISBN 0-85364-587-6, subtitled "The Biblical Case for Conditional Immortality", published by Authentic Media
  7. ^ ISBN 1-60899-930-0, subtitled "A Biblical and Historical Study of the Doctrine of Final Punishment", published by Wipf & Stock Publishers
  8. ^ Crockett, William V. (June, 1991). "Wrath That Endures Forever". Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 34 (2): 195-202. http://www.etsjets.org/files/JETS-PDFs/34/34-2/34-2-pp195-202_JETS.pdf. Retrieved December 23, 2011. 
  9. ^ Bowles, Ralph G. (2001). "Does Revelation 14:11 Teach Eternal Torment? Examining a Proof-text on Hell". Evangelical Quarterly 73 (1): 21-36. http://www.biblicalstudies.org.uk/pdf/eq/2001-1_021.pdf. 
  10. ^ Gomes, Alan W. (Spring, 1991). "Evangelicals and the Annihilation of Hell (Part One)". Christian Research Institute Journal: 14ff. http://www.willofthelord.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Annihilation-Hell-Alan-W-Gomes.pdf. Retrieved December 23, 2011. 
  11. ^ Gomes, Alan W. (Summer, 1991). "Evangelicals and the Annihilation of Hell (Part Two)". Christian Research Institute Journal: 8ff. http://www.willofthelord.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Annihilation-Hell-Alan-W-Gomes.pdf. Retrieved December 23, 2011. 
  12. ^ Packer, James I. (Spring, 1997). "Evangelical Annihilationism in Review". Reformation & Revival 6 (2): 37-52. http://www.biblicalstudies.org.uk/pdf/ref-rev/06-2/6-2_packer.pdf. Retrieved December 23, 2011. 
  13. ^ Gray, Tony (January, 1996). "Destroyed For Ever: An Examination of the Debates Concerning Annihilation and Conditional Immortality". Themelios 21 (2): 14-18. http://www.theologicalstudies.org.uk/article_destroyed_gray.html. Retrieved December 23, 2011. 
  14. ^ "Rightly Dividing the Hell Debate: Key Advocates and Writings". Christianity Today 44 (12). October 23, 2000. http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2000/october23/2.32.html. Retrieved December 24, 2011. 
  15. ^ Fudge, Edward William; Peterson, Robert A. (2000). Two Views of Hell: A Biblical & Theological Dialogue. InterVarsity Press. ISBN 9780830822553. http://www.ivpress.com/cgi-ivpress/book.pl/code=2255. Retrieved December 25, 2011. 
  16. ^ "Hell and Mr. Fudge". http://www.hellandmrfudge.com/. Retrieved December 23, 2011. 
  17. ^ Jett, Beth (July 4, 2011). "California Movie Crew Wraps up Shoot in Athens; Movie Due out in Early 2012". WHNT-TV. http://www.whnt.com/news/whnt-california-movie-crew-wraps-up-shoot-in-athens-movie-due-out-in-early-2012-20110630,0,3444148.story. Retrieved December 24, 2011. 
  18. ^ "2011 speaking/travel schedule". Edward Fudge Ministries. http://www.edwardfudge.com/speaking_appts11.html. Retrieved December 23, 2011. 

External links