The Orthodox Study Bible: Damnation

The Orthodox Study Bible, New Testament and Psalms, (1993) Saint Athanasius Orthodox Academy,Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee.

Another good entry from this academic study bible.

My definition of Damnation is loosely based on this entry from the study bible (796):

Everlasting existence, as opposed to everlasting life, in Jesus Christ, spent in hell, first at physical death leading to Hades as spirit (Gospels, Revelation 20); then eventually the lake of fire (Revelation 20), quite reasonably in a resurrected form if this parallels the resurrection of the regenerate (1 Corinthians 15).

Damnation serves as both divine condemnation for the unregenerate and also has God allowing the unregenerate to everlasting reject God.

I do not however, theologically view damnation as a primarily a lesser quality of life than everlasting life, but, even with my figurative literal interpretation and theology on some aspects of everlasting hell, I view damnation in everlasting hell as a conscious form of death. Perhaps this will lead to increased insanity by its citizens?

These persons have embraced a rejection, by fallen human nature and significant choice, of the gospel work of Jesus Christ through the work of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit as God.

At the same time, the unregenerate have not been chosen for everlasting life by God (Ephesians 1-2, Romans 8-9).

The horrors of hell can likely be somewhat explained by the removal of common grace which all humanity experiences in this present temporal realm. Specific (my term, special/saving) grace is provided for those under the atoning and resurrection work of Jesus Christ within Paradise after death in spirit and then eventually as resurrected persons, within the new heaven and new earth.

Page 796

My Pocket Dictionary defines damnation as a synonym for 'final judgement'. (34). In my words, these people will not inherit eternal life and the Kingdom of God and will be forever separated from God. (34). The text also notes than the lake of fire is the final realm of Satan and his demons. (34).

GRENZ, STANLEY J., DAVID GURETZKI AND CHERITH FEE NORDLING (1999) Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms, Downers Grove, Ill., InterVarsity Press.

The Orthodox Study Bible, New Testament and Psalms, (1993) Saint Athanasius Orthodox Academy,Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee.

My new academic library.