Distributed by Way of Life Literature’s Fundamental Baptist Information Service. Copyright 2001.

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June 28, 2000 (David W. Cloud, Fundamental Baptist Information Service, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061-0368, fbns@wayoflife.org) - The following timely warning is from Thomas Ross [KJB1611@hotpop.com] --

Radio Bible Class is a firmly committed new-evangelical organization. They also take the fire out of Hell. I quote from their booklet "What Does The Bible Say About Hell?"

"In and by themselves, they [the words in the Bible describing Hell in terms of ‘everlasting’] do not necessarily denote eternity" (p. 22).

"Even if many verses are inconclusive regarding the eternal CONSCIOUS [previous word is in italics in the booklet] suffering of the lost, Revelation 14:11 and 20:10 indicate that at the very least, some of the lost will suffer conscious torment for all eternity. We must be careful that we do not go beyond the Scriptures are portray hell as a place where all the lost will scream in pain forever and ever. This picture gives a wrong impression of God" (p. 24).

On p. 24-25, they quote C. S. Lewis and his denial of Hell, showing the lost "as having to live with themselves and one another unchanged from what they were on earth. He portrays them as moving slowly and inexorably farther and farther from reality through eternity."

On p. 26-27, they don't take a stand and say that everyone who has not trusted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is lost. "God will hold those who never hear the gospel responsible for the light that they had in this world. . . . Sir Norman Anderson, a respected evangelical, has pointed out that some who never hear the gospel become conscious of their sinfulness, abandon all efforts to earn God's favor, and cry out for forgiveness. He contends that they are to be viewed in the same situation as most of the Old Testament believers who were saved through faith even though they had only a vague concept of Christ. . . . It's not imperative that we accept Anderson's suggestion, because the Bible doesn't tell us about the fate of these "noble" pagans. But we can be certain about one thing: We can trust God to do right by all those who die without having heard the saving gospel of Jesus Christ." (p. 27) (On the contrary, the Bible is very clear about the fate of "noble" pagans -- they are going to a fiery Hell, without Christ or hope in the world!)

"So should we portray hell as a literal furnace of fire where all the lost will scream in pain throughout all eternity? The Church Fathers, Luther, Calvin, all the classical theologians, and present-day evangelical leaders like Francis Schaeffer and J. I. Packer say an emphatic no. They point out that God will lightly punish those who did not know much about His expectations (Luke 12:48). A hell in which all burn in a literal fire does not allow for significant degrees of punishment. Then too, it's important to remember that the Bible often uses fire (prev. word in italics) as a symbol" (p. 28-29).

On p. 32, they say that Hell is a place for "all who die without making peace with God," which, in light of previous statements, does NOT mean all who are not born again by faith alone and grace alone in Christ.

In addition to denying Hell, R.B.C. specifically says that they will not name names, including those of apostates. Their "Daily Bread" devotional, of course, can never preach on things like soul-winning, baptism, separation, music, etc., because that would offend worldly churches. They are not sound on repentance. They use modern Bible versions. They promote unscriptural music. A recent "Campus Journal" had a long-haired guy on the front, and an article on "what would Jesus do?" talked about going on a date, being alone with a girl, holding her in an embrace, and then when she says that it is OK to go further sexually, thinking "what would Jesus do?" What horrible advice! Never get in that situation! Another one, presumably promoting soul-winning, put down street preaching and advocated, at best, "sharing" with friends.

In other words, they have absolutely no business being in fundamental, independent Baptist Churches, but they have widespread influence because of their free materials, including infiltration in such Churches, thus helping a slide to New-Evangelicalism.

"Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us" (2 Thessalonians 3:6).

Thomas Ross (KJB1611@hotpop.com)