Introduction: This report examines Edward Fudge’s biblical arguments for conditional immortality (CI), focusing on his groundbreaking work “The Fire That Consumes.” We will explore how his biblical framework supports the final destruction of the wicked rather than eternal conscious torment, and how this view might accommodate a postmortem opportunity for salvation. This analysis is written from a conservative biblical Christian perspective that affirms postmortem opportunity.
Part 1: Understanding Conditional Immortality Through Edward Fudge’s Biblical Lens
The Foundation: God Alone Has Immortality
Edward Fudge’s most fundamental biblical argument begins with 1 Timothy 6:16, which declares that God “alone has immortality.” This isn’t just a minor detail – it’s the cornerstone of understanding human nature and destiny. Fudge argues that if God alone possesses immortality by nature, then humans don’t automatically have immortal souls. Instead, immortality is a gift that God gives only to those who are saved through Jesus Christ.
“This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” (2 Timothy 1:9-10)
This verse shows that Jesus brings immortality “to light” through the gospel – meaning it’s something we receive through Him, not something we naturally possess. Fudge emphasizes that throughout Scripture, whenever immortality is mentioned regarding humans, it’s always described as something believers “seek” (Romans 2:7) or “put on” at the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:53-54), never as something all humans naturally have.
The Biblical Meaning of Death
Fudge’s second major argument focuses on what the Bible means by “death.” When Romans 6:23 says “the wages of sin is death,” Fudge argues this means actual death – cessation of existence – not eternal conscious torment. He points out that if the wicked were kept alive forever in hell, they wouldn’t really be experiencing death at all. They would be experiencing eternal life, just in a miserable state.
Edward Fudge writes: “The Bible uses ordinary language in ordinary ways. When it speaks of the wicked perishing, being destroyed, or dying, we should understand these words in their normal sense unless there is compelling reason to do otherwise.”
Throughout the Old Testament, death is presented as the opposite of life. In Genesis 2:17, God warned Adam that eating from the forbidden tree would result in death. The serpent contradicted this, saying “You will not surely die” (Genesis 3:4). Fudge argues that if traditional hell doctrine is true, then the serpent was right – humans don’t really die but continue living forever, either in bliss or torment.
The Language of Destruction
Fudge meticulously examines the biblical vocabulary used to describe the fate of the wicked. He finds that Scripture consistently uses terms that indicate complete destruction:
- Apollumi (Greek: “destroy/perish”): Used in Matthew 10:28 – “Fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell”
- Apoleia (Greek: “destruction”): Used in Philippians 3:19 – “Their end is destruction”
- Olethros (Greek: “destruction/death”): Used in 2 Thessalonians 1:9 – “They will be punished with everlasting destruction”
- Phtheiro (Greek: “corrupt/destroy”): Used in 2 Peter 2:12 – “They will be destroyed”
- Katargeo (Greek: “abolish/destroy”): Used in 2 Thessalonians 2:8 – “The Lord Jesus will destroy with the breath of his mouth”
Fudge argues that if God wanted to communicate that the wicked would be kept alive forever, He chose exactly the wrong words. Every term points to cessation of existence, not eternal conscious existence in torment.
The Fire That Consumes
The title of Fudge’s book comes from his analysis of biblical fire imagery. He notes that throughout Scripture, fire is consistently portrayed as something that consumes what it burns, leaving nothing but ashes. Consider these examples:
“His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” (Matthew 3:12)
Fudge points out that “unquenchable fire” doesn’t mean the chaff burns forever – it means the fire cannot be put out until it has completely consumed its fuel. The chaff is burned up, not preserved in flames eternally. Similarly, when Jude 7 speaks of Sodom and Gomorrah suffering “the punishment of eternal fire,” those cities aren’t still burning today. They were completely destroyed by fire that had eternal consequences.
Gehenna and Its Biblical Background
Jesus used the term “Gehenna” (translated as “hell” in many Bibles) more than anyone else. Fudge explains that Gehenna referred to the Valley of Hinnom outside Jerusalem, a place with a dark history of child sacrifice that became a symbol of judgment. In Isaiah 66:24, which Jesus quotes in Mark 9:48, we read about the valley filled with dead bodies being consumed by worms and fire.
Fudge emphasizes: “The picture is not of conscious torment but of dead bodies being disposed of. The fire and worms consume corpses, not living people. Jesus uses this imagery to warn about final judgment, but the emphasis is on destruction, not ongoing torture.”
The Resurrection and Final Judgment
Fudge argues that both the righteous and wicked will be resurrected for judgment (John 5:28-29), but their destinies differ drastically. The righteous receive the “resurrection of life” while the wicked face the “resurrection of judgment.” According to Fudge, this judgment results in what Revelation calls the “second death” (Revelation 20:14-15) – a final and complete end to existence.
He points to Daniel 12:2, which says some will awake to “everlasting life” and others to “shame and everlasting contempt.” Fudge notes that while life is everlasting for the saved, the text doesn’t say the shame is experienced everlastingly by the lost – rather, the contempt toward them by the righteous is what lasts forever, like we might feel contempt today for historical tyrants who are long dead.
Part 2: The Biblical Case for Postmortem Opportunity
God’s Universal Love and Justice
The Bible clearly teaches that God desires all people to be saved. Consider these powerful verses:
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)
“This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:3-4)
If God truly desires all to be saved, and if He is perfectly just, then it seems reasonable that He would provide everyone with a genuine opportunity to respond to the gospel. This raises serious questions about those who die without ever hearing about Jesus Christ. Would a loving and just God condemn them without giving them any chance?
Biblical Precedents for Postmortem Activity
Several biblical passages suggest that significant spiritual activity can occur after death:
1 Peter 3:18-20 speaks of Christ preaching to “the spirits in prison” who disobeyed in Noah’s time. While interpretations vary, many scholars see this as Christ offering salvation to those who died before His incarnation.
“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits—to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built.” (1 Peter 3:18-20)
1 Peter 4:6 states: “For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.”
Ephesians 4:8-9 describes Christ descending “to the lower, earthly regions” and leading “captivity captive,” which many interpret as Christ liberating Old Testament saints from Sheol/Hades.
The Timing of Final Judgment
Scripture consistently places final judgment at Christ’s return, not at individual death. This leaves room for postmortem opportunity:
From recent theological scholarship: “Scripture teaches in many passages that forgiveness may be possible beyond the grave, and refers the final decision not to death, but to the day of Christ. Death is not presented as the absolute deadline for salvation, but rather the day of judgment is.”
Acts 17:31 declares: “For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed.” This future “day” of judgment, not the moment of death, appears to be when eternal destinies are finalized.
Conditional Immortality and Postmortem Opportunity Working Together
Here’s how these two doctrines complement each other beautifully:
- Between Death and Judgment: Those who die without hearing the gospel don’t immediately cease to exist. They await the resurrection and final judgment, during which time (or at the moment of judgment) they encounter Christ and the gospel.
- A Fair Hearing: At the judgment, every person stands before Christ. Those who never had a genuine opportunity to respond to the gospel in life receive it then. This ensures God’s justice – no one is condemned without a real chance to accept salvation.
- The Response Determines Destiny: Those who accept Christ, even postmortem, receive eternal life and immortality. Those who reject Him, having now had a fair opportunity, face the “second death” – complete destruction of both body and soul.
- God’s Mercy Triumphs: This view maintains God’s justice while maximizing His mercy. It takes seriously both His desire that none perish and the biblical teaching that some will ultimately be destroyed.
Part 3: How Near-Death Experiences Might Fit Into This Framework
NDEs as Glimpses of Postmortem Reality
Near-death experiences have become increasingly documented in modern times. While we must be cautious about building doctrine on subjective experiences, some NDEs seem to align with a postmortem opportunity framework. Consider these patterns:
- Many report encountering a loving presence (often identified as Jesus or God) who reviews their life without condemnation
- Some describe being given choices about whether to return to earthly life or continue into the afterlife
- Numerous accounts describe a realm of waiting or preparation, not immediate heaven or hell
- Many experiencers report that love and relationship with God matter more than religious affiliation
Howard Storm’s NDE testimony: “I found myself in outer darkness, experiencing what the Bible calls ‘gnashing of teeth,’ when Jesus rescued me. He didn’t condemn me but showed me overwhelming love and gave me a chance to choose Him.”
These experiences, while not authoritative like Scripture, might provide phenomenological support for the idea that death is not the absolute end of opportunity for those who haven’t rejected Christ with full knowledge.
Biblical Cautions About NDEs
However, we must remember several biblical principles when considering NDEs:
- Scripture remains our ultimate authority, not human experiences (2 Timothy 3:16)
- Satan can appear as an “angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14)
- Not all spiritual experiences are from God (1 John 4:1)
- Our hearts can deceive us (Jeremiah 17:9)
Therefore, while NDEs might provide interesting anecdotal support, our doctrine must be built on Scripture alone.
Part 4: Biblical Passages Supporting CI and Postmortem Opportunity
| Scripture Reference | NKJV Text, CI Explanation, and Postmortem Context |
|---|---|
| Matthew 10:28 |
NKJV: “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”
CI Explanation: This verse explicitly states that God can “destroy” (apollumi) both soul and body in hell. If souls were immortal, they couldn’t be destroyed. The word means to utterly destroy or cause to perish, not to preserve in torment. Postmortem Opportunity Context: The destruction occurs “in hell” (Gehenna), which comes after judgment. Between death and this final destruction, there could be opportunity for those who never heard the gospel to respond to Christ at the judgment seat. |
| Romans 6:23 |
NKJV: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
CI Explanation: Death is contrasted with eternal life. If the wicked lived forever in hell, they would have eternal life (albeit miserable). The wages of sin is death—cessation of existence—not eternal conscious torment. Postmortem Opportunity Context: This “death” is the final verdict after judgment. Those who never heard of Christ in life could receive this “gift of God” when they meet Him at judgment, avoiding the wages of sin through faith. |
| 2 Thessalonians 1:9 |
NKJV: “These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power.”
CI Explanation: “Everlasting destruction” (olethros) means the destruction is permanent and irreversible, not that the process of destroying goes on forever. Like “eternal redemption” (Hebrews 9:12) is a one-time act with eternal results. Postmortem Opportunity Context: This destruction comes “when He comes” (v. 7) at the second coming and judgment. Until then, the dead await resurrection and judgment, where Christ’s presence might offer a final opportunity to those who never knew Him. |
| John 3:16 |
NKJV: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
CI Explanation: The options are clear: perish or have everlasting life. “Perish” (apollumi) means to be destroyed completely. There’s no third option of living forever in torment. Postmortem Opportunity Context: “Whoever believes” doesn’t specify the timing must be before death. God’s love for “the world” suggests He would ensure everyone has a genuine chance to believe, whether before or after death. |
| 1 Timothy 6:16 |
NKJV: “Who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.”
CI Explanation: God “alone has immortality” inherently. Humans only receive immortality as a gift through Christ (2 Timothy 1:10). The unsaved never receive immortality, so they cannot suffer eternally. Postmortem Opportunity Context: At the judgment, people encounter this immortal God. Those meeting Him for the first time could receive the gift of immortality through faith, while those who reject Him remain mortal and face destruction. |
| 1 Corinthians 15:53-54 |
NKJV: “For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory.'”
CI Explanation: Only believers “put on immortality” at the resurrection. The text never says the wicked put on immortality. They remain mortal and thus can be destroyed. Postmortem Opportunity Context: This transformation happens at the resurrection. Those who accept Christ postmortem would put on immortality then, while those who reject Him would face the second death in their mortal state. |
| Malachi 4:1-3 |
NKJV: “For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, and all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble. And the day which is coming shall burn them up,” says the Lord of hosts, “That will leave them neither root nor branch. But to you who fear My name the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings… You shall trample the wicked, for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet.”
CI Explanation: The wicked become “stubble” that is “burned up,” leaving them as “ashes.” This is complete destruction, not preservation in flames. They have neither “root nor branch”—total annihilation. Postmortem Opportunity Context: This occurs on “the day” of judgment. Before becoming ashes, the wicked could have opportunity at judgment to “fear My name” and avoid destruction. |
| Revelation 20:14-15 |
NKJV: “Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.”
CI Explanation: The “second death” is final and complete. Death itself is destroyed. If the unsaved lived forever in the lake of fire, death wouldn’t be destroyed—it would be perpetuated eternally. Postmortem Opportunity Context: This happens after the resurrection and white throne judgment (v. 11-13). During that judgment, those who never heard the gospel could have their first real encounter with Christ before the books are opened. |
| Psalm 37:20 |
NKJV: “But the wicked shall perish; And the enemies of the Lord, like the splendor of the meadows, shall vanish. Into smoke they shall vanish away.”
CI Explanation: The wicked “perish,” “vanish,” and disappear “into smoke.” This is poetic language for complete destruction, not eternal preservation in torment. Postmortem Opportunity Context: This psalm speaks of final destinies. Before vanishing away, the wicked would stand before God in judgment, where those ignorant of Him in life could finally know Him and choose. |
| Ezekiel 18:32 |
NKJV: “For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies,” says the Lord God. “Therefore turn and live!”
CI Explanation: God takes no pleasure in the death (cessation of existence) of the wicked. Death here means actual death, not eternal life in torment. Postmortem Opportunity Context: God’s lack of pleasure in anyone’s death suggests He would provide every possible opportunity for people to “turn and live,” potentially including opportunity after death for those who never heard His call in life. |
Part 5: Theological Synthesis – A Merciful and Just Resolution
Addressing Common Objections
Objection 1: “Doesn’t Hebrews 9:27 say we die once and then face judgment?”
Yes, but this doesn’t preclude postmortem opportunity. The verse simply states the order: death, then judgment. It doesn’t say judgment happens immediately after death, nor does it say there’s no opportunity for salvation between death and final judgment. In fact, the judgment is consistently portrayed as a future event at Christ’s return.
Objection 2: “Doesn’t the parable of Lazarus and the rich man show fixed destinies after death?”
This parable (Luke 16:19-31) describes the intermediate state before final judgment, not the eternal state. Moreover, parables aren’t meant to give detailed theology about the afterlife but to make specific points—in this case, about the importance of responding to God’s revelation in this life. The parable doesn’t address the fate of those who never heard that revelation.
Objection 3: “Doesn’t this minimize the importance of evangelism?”
Not at all! Consider these points:
- Accepting Christ in this life spares people from the terrible experience of judgment and potential destruction
- Christians experience abundant life now, not just after death
- We’re commanded to make disciples regardless of postmortem possibilities
- Earlier salvation means more time to grow in Christ and help others
- We don’t know who will or won’t receive postmortem opportunity
The Character of God Revealed
This framework—conditional immortality with postmortem opportunity—reveals a God who is:
Perfectly Just: No one is condemned without a genuine opportunity to accept Christ. God judges based on response to light received.
Infinitely Merciful: God extends opportunity even beyond death to those who couldn’t respond in life, maximizing the reach of Christ’s salvation.
Ultimately Victorious: Evil is completely destroyed, not preserved forever in a cosmic torture chamber. God’s creation is finally cleansed of all sin and suffering.
Respectful of Human Choice: People can still reject God, even when standing before Him. Their destruction is their choice, not God’s desire.
The Cosmic Restoration
Fudge emphasizes that conditional immortality allows for the complete restoration of God’s creation. Consider Revelation 21:4: “There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
If billions suffered eternally in hell, could we really say there’s no more mourning, crying, or pain in God’s creation? But if the wicked are destroyed after judgment—having had fair opportunity to repent—then God’s universe is truly restored to perfection. Evil is not eternal; only good endures forever.
Part 6: Practical Implications for Christian Life and Ministry
How This View Impacts Our Gospel Presentation
Understanding CI with postmortem opportunity enriches our gospel message:
- Emphasize Life: The gospel offers eternal life, not just escape from torment. Jesus came that we might have life abundantly (John 10:10).
- Focus on Relationship: Salvation is about knowing God (John 17:3), not just avoiding punishment.
- Highlight God’s Love: God’s justice ensures everyone gets a fair hearing, while His mercy provides opportunity even beyond death for those who couldn’t hear in life.
- Maintain Urgency: Accepting Christ now brings immediate blessings and avoids the fearsome prospect of standing before Him in judgment unprepared.
- Address Injustice: This view answers the difficult question about those who die without hearing the gospel, removing a major stumbling block for many seekers.
Pastoral Care Implications
This theological framework provides comfort in several pastoral situations:
- Parents who’ve lost unbaptized infants can trust that God will deal justly and mercifully with their children
- Those grieving non-Christian loved ones who never had real opportunity to hear the gospel can have hope
- Missionaries can know that those they couldn’t reach aren’t automatically condemned
- People struggling with the “problem of evil” can see that God doesn’t perpetuate suffering eternally
Maintaining Biblical Balance
While embracing these truths, we must avoid:
- Universalism: Scripture clearly teaches some will be destroyed. Not everyone will be saved.
- Complacency: We can’t assume people will get postmortem opportunity—we must evangelize now.
- Speculation: We don’t know the details of how postmortem opportunity works. We trust God’s justice and mercy.
- Pride: This view shouldn’t make us feel superior to traditional believers. We’re all seeking truth from Scripture.
Conclusion: The Fire That Consumes and the God Who Saves
Edward Fudge’s biblical case for conditional immortality, when combined with the biblical evidence for postmortem opportunity, presents a coherent and compelling vision of God’s justice and mercy. The fire of judgment truly consumes—it doesn’t preserve the wicked in eternal torment. But before that consumption, God in His mercy ensures everyone has genuine opportunity to respond to Christ.
This view upholds the seriousness of sin (it leads to destruction), the necessity of Christ (He alone gives immortality), the justice of God (all have opportunity), and the ultimate victory of good over evil (sin and sinners are destroyed, not maintained eternally).
The traditional view asks us to believe that God will sustain the existence of billions of souls for the sole purpose of tormenting them forever—including many who never heard of Jesus. The conditional immortality view with postmortem opportunity presents a God who judges fairly, extends mercy as far as possible, and ultimately cleanses His creation of evil entirely.
As we await Christ’s return and the final judgment, we can proclaim with confidence: God is just, God is merciful, and God will make all things right. The fire that consumes will destroy evil forever, but not before every soul has had opportunity to choose life in Christ. This is truly good news—a gospel worthy of the God revealed in Jesus Christ.
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)
© 2025, Matthew. All rights reserved.
