The Question of Hell and Salvation: Is There a Fourth View?

Abstract

This article is a revised version of the 2005 Tyndale Lecture in Christian Doctrine. It sets forward a fourth view on the question of salvation and final judgement, supplementing the three familiar positions of eternal torment, annihilation and universalism. This is a view found in the work of five nineteenth- and early twentieth-century theologians: James Orr, J. R. Illingworth, Langton Clarke, T. R. Birks and Samuel Garratt. Griffith Thomas historically identified it as a fourth view, but it is argued in this article that there are significant differences between the proponents. Nevertheless, they share a conviction that the biblical data does not yield any one of the three traditional positions and that it is possible to envisage the reconciliation with God of those who are under eternal judgement, even if they do not enjoy eternal salvation. As this position is scarcely known in contemporary theology, the article describes rather than evaluates the positions in question.