Edward William Fudge (July 13, 1944 – November 25, 2017) was an American Christian theologian and lawyer, best known for his book ''The Fire That Consumes'' in which he argues for an
annihilationist
In Christianity, annihilationism (also known as extinctionism or destructionism) is the belief that after the Last Judgment, all unsaved human beings, all fallen angels (all of the damnation, damned) and Satan#Christianity, Satan himself will be t ...
Biblical interpretation of Hell. He has been called "one of the foremost scholars on hell" by
The Christian Post
''The Christian Post'' is an American nondenominational Christianity, non-denominational, Conservatism, conservative, Evangelicalism, evangelical Christian media, Christian online newspaper. Based in Washington, D.C., it was founded in March 200 ...
.
He is the subject of the 2012 independent film ''
Hell and Mr. Fudge''.
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
The Churches of Christ is a loose association of autonomous Christian congregations based on the ''sola scriptura'' doctrine. Their practices are based on Bible texts and draw on the early Christian church as described in the New Testament.
T ...
. He received bachelor's and master's degrees at
Abilene Christian University
Abilene Christian University (ACU) is a Private university, private Churches of Christ, Christian university in Abilene, Texas. It was founded in 1906 as ''Childers Classical Institute''. ACU is one of the largest private universities in the Sout ...
and completed law school at the
University of Houston College of Law. Fudge was raised in
non-institutional Churches of Christ, attending
Florida College
Florida College is a private Christian college in Temple Terrace, Florida. It offers bachelor's and associate degrees.
Founded as a junior college in 1946, Florida College now draws its staff, faculty, and the majority of its students from no ...
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
Athens is a city in and the county seat of Limestone County, in the U.S. state of Alabama; it is included in the Huntsville-Decatur-Albertville, AL Combined Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census, the population of the city is 21,897.
Histo ...
. Fudge then moved to Houston, Texas, where he lived until his death on November 25, 2017.
''The Fire That Consumes''
Although Fudge published several books, only ''The Fire That Consumes'' has been published in multiple editions. The first printing of the first edition, subtitled ''A Biblical and Historical Study of Final Punishment'', was published in early 1982 () by Verdict Publications (Australia), with a foreword by
F. F. Bruce
Frederick Fyvie Bruce (12 October 1910 – 11 September 1990), usually cited as F. F. Bruce, was a Scottish biblical scholar who supported the historical reliability of the New Testament. His first book, ''New Testament Documents: Are They ...
of Manchester, U.K.
The book examined the doctrine of the final punishment of the unredeemed from throughout the whole Bible, non-biblical literature of Second Temple Judaism (Apocrypha, Pseudepigrapha, Dead Sea Scrolls), as well as the historical development of the doctrine of final punishment through the Apostolic Fathers; Ante-Nicene, Nicene, and Post-Nicene Fathers; medieval and later theologians; and Reformers and later theologians. Special attention is given to Augustine ("City of God") and to John Calvin ("Psychopannychia"). Fudge argues that the doctrine of hell as eternal, conscious torment was not a necessary corollary of the doctrine of the immortality of the soul, brought into the Christian church by apologists such as Athenagoras and especially Tertullian.
When the first printing sold out in five months, Verdict gave all rights to the author, who for 29 years self-published the book through multiple printings under the name Providential Press. The only change in the second printing was enlarging the subtitle to say "A Biblical and Historical Study of the Doctrine of Final Punishment." The second printing was an Alternate Selection of the Evangelical Book Club.
Twelve years later in 1994, a condensed second edition (), subtitled ''The Biblical Case for Conditional Immortality'' and including a new foreword by
John W. Wenham of Oxford, was published by Paternoster Press in England. Paternoster was later bought by Authentic Media, which let the second edition go out of print.
Seventeen years later, Fudge revised and updated the first edition to produce a definitive third edition which was published by Cascade Books, the academic division of Wipf & Stock (). This edition was again subtitled ''A Biblical and Historical Study of the Doctrine of Final Punishment'', and included a new foreword by Richard Bauckham of Cambridge University. Throughout the third edition, Fudge interacts with seventeen authors of eleven traditionalist books, advancing the dialogue by three decades.
Christianity Today
''Christianity Today'' is an evangelical Christian media magazine founded in 1956 by Billy Graham. It is published by Christianity Today International based in Carol Stream, Illinois. ''The Washington Post'' calls ''Christianity Today'' "evange ...
has called ''The Fire That Consumes'' "the standard reference on the subject." Since its first publication, ''The Fire That Consumes'' has been cited with increasing frequency by scholars and other serious authors writing on the topic. Among these are articles in
Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society
The ''Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society'' is a refereed theological journal published by the Evangelical Theological Society. It was first published in 1958 as the ''Bulletin of the Evangelical Theological Society'', and was given i ...
,
Evangelical Quarterly
''Evangelical Quarterly'' is an academic journal covering theology and biblical studies. It was established in 1929 by Donald Maclean (principal), Donald Maclean and J. R. Mackay. The current Editor-in-chief, editors are Richard Snoddy and John Nol ...
,
Christian Research Institute
The Christian Research Institute (CRI) is an evangelical Christian apologetics ministry. It was established in October 1960 in the state of New Jersey by Walter Martin (1928–1989). In 1974, Martin relocated the ministry to San Juan Capistrano, ...
Journal, Reformation & Revival, and
Themelios
''Themelios'' (Greek language, Greek: ''Θεμέλιος'', i.e., ''foundation'' or ''keystone'') is a peer-reviewed international evangelical theology, theological journal that expounds on the historic Christianity, Christian faith. Its primary ...
. Christianity Today picked it as one of four volumes representing the "annihilationist" viewpoint on Hell in a 2000 topical bibliography.
Fudge's other works on Hell include ''Two Views of Hell: A Biblical & Theological Dialogue'', coauthored by traditionalist Robert A. Peterson, and ''Hell: A Final Word (The Surprising Truths I Found in the Bible)'' (), a more accessible work for popular audiences.
''Hell and Mr. Fudge''
Fudge is the subject of the biopic ''Hell and Mr. Fudge'', produced by Pat Arrabito, directed by Jeff Wood, and starring
Mackenzie Astin
Mackenzie Alexander Astin (born May 12, 1973) is an American actor.
Early and personal life
Astin was born on May 12, 1973, in Los Angeles, California, the son of actress Patty Duke and actor John Astin. His brother is actor Sean Astin. He at ...
as Fudge. The film was released at the 2012 Worldfest-Houston International Film Festival. Fudge cooperated in the film's development.
Education
*A.A.
Florida College
Florida College is a private Christian college in Temple Terrace, Florida. It offers bachelor's and associate degrees.
Founded as a junior college in 1946, Florida College now draws its staff, faculty, and the majority of its students from no ...
(1965)
*B.A.
Abilene Christian University
Abilene Christian University (ACU) is a Private university, private Churches of Christ, Christian university in Abilene, Texas. It was founded in 1906 as ''Childers Classical Institute''. ACU is one of the largest private universities in the Sout ...
(1967)
*M.A.
Abilene Christian University
Abilene Christian University (ACU) is a Private university, private Churches of Christ, Christian university in Abilene, Texas. It was founded in 1906 as ''Childers Classical Institute''. ACU is one of the largest private universities in the Sout ...
(1968)
*J.D.
University of Houston College of Law (1988)
Publications
*''Resurrection!: Essays in Honor of Homer Hailey'',
Athens, Alabama
Athens is a city in and the county seat of Limestone County, in the U.S. state of Alabama; it is included in the Huntsville-Decatur-Albertville, AL Combined Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census, the population of the city is 21,897.
Histo ...
: C.E.I. Publishing Company, 1973. .
*''Our Man in Heaven: An Exposition of the Epistle to the Hebrews'',
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids is a city and county seat of Kent County, Michigan, Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. At the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, the city had a population of 198,917 which ranks it as the List of municipalities in Mi ...
: Baker Book House, 1974.
*''The Fire That Consumes: A Biblical and Historical Study of the Doctrine of Final Punishment'', Providential Press, 1982. .
*''The Sound of His Voice: Discovering the Secrets of God's Guidance'',
Abilene, Texas
Abilene ( ) is a city in Taylor and Jones Counties in Texas, United States. Its population was 125,182 at the 2020 census, making it the 27th-most populous city in the state of Texas. It is the principal city of the Abilene metropolitan statis ...
:
Leafwood Publishers
Leafwood Publishers (founded in 2000) is an imprint of Abilene Christian University Press located in Abilene, Texas.
History
Leafwood Publishers was founded in 2000 by C. Leonard Allen in Orange, California. By 2004, it was moved in Siloam Sp ...
, 2002. .
*''The Great Rescue: The Story of God's Amazing Grace'',
Abilene, Texas
Abilene ( ) is a city in Taylor and Jones Counties in Texas, United States. Its population was 125,182 at the 2020 census, making it the 27th-most populous city in the state of Texas. It is the principal city of the Abilene metropolitan statis ...
:
Leafwood Publishers
Leafwood Publishers (founded in 2000) is an imprint of Abilene Christian University Press located in Abilene, Texas.
History
Leafwood Publishers was founded in 2000 by C. Leonard Allen in Orange, California. By 2004, it was moved in Siloam Sp ...
, 2002. .
*''GracEmail: Daily Answers for Life's Big Questions'', Abilene, Texas:
Hillcrest Publishing, 2003. .
*''Hebrews: Ancient Encouragement for Believers Today'', Abilene, Texas:
Leafwood Publishers
Leafwood Publishers (founded in 2000) is an imprint of Abilene Christian University Press located in Abilene, Texas.
History
Leafwood Publishers was founded in 2000 by C. Leonard Allen in Orange, California. By 2004, it was moved in Siloam Sp ...
, 2009. .
*''Two Views of Hell: A Biblical & Theological Dialogue (Spectrum)'', with Peterson, Robert A.,
Downer's Grove, Illinois
Downers Grove is a village in DuPage County, Illinois, United States. It was founded in 1832 by Pierce Downer, whose surname serves as the eponym for the village. It is a south-west suburb of Chicago. The village is located between I-88 and I-55. ...
:
IVP Academic
Founded in 1947, InterVarsity Press (IVP) is an American publisher of Christian books located in Westmont, Illinois. IVP focuses on publishing Christian books that speak to important cultural moments, provide tools for spiritual growth, and e ...
, 2010. .
*''The Divine Rescue: The Gripping Drama of a Lost World and of the Creator Who Will Not Let It Go.'',
Abilene, Texas
Abilene ( ) is a city in Taylor and Jones Counties in Texas, United States. Its population was 125,182 at the 2020 census, making it the 27th-most populous city in the state of Texas. It is the principal city of the Abilene metropolitan statis ...
:
Leafwood Publishers
Leafwood Publishers (founded in 2000) is an imprint of Abilene Christian University Press located in Abilene, Texas.
History
Leafwood Publishers was founded in 2000 by C. Leonard Allen in Orange, California. By 2004, it was moved in Siloam Sp ...
, 2010. .
*''Hell: A Final Word'',
Abilene, Texas
Abilene ( ) is a city in Taylor and Jones Counties in Texas, United States. Its population was 125,182 at the 2020 census, making it the 27th-most populous city in the state of Texas. It is the principal city of the Abilene metropolitan statis ...
:
Leafwood Publishers
Leafwood Publishers (founded in 2000) is an imprint of Abilene Christian University Press located in Abilene, Texas.
History
Leafwood Publishers was founded in 2000 by C. Leonard Allen in Orange, California. By 2004, it was moved in Siloam Sp ...
, 2012. .
References
External links
Personal websiteWipf and Stock publishers of ''The Fire That Consumes''
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fudge, Edward
1944 births
2017 deaths
American Christian theologians
Annihilationists
Texas lawyers
Abilene Christian University alumni
University of Houston Law Center alumni
20th-century American lawyers
People from Limestone County, Alabama