Quotes by Robert Peterson
Robert Peterson (b. 1948) — Evangelikaler Theologe, Professor für Systematische Theologie und Buchautor · Reformiert / Presbyterianisch · USA
Robert A. Peterson (* 1948) ist ein US-amerikanischer presbyterianischer Theologe und lehrte über viele Jahre als Professor für Systematische Theologie am Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis. Er vertritt eine dezidiert reformierte Bundestheologie und profilierte sich insbesondere mit Schriften zur Heilslehre sowie der Verteidigung der traditionellen Lehre von der ewigen Verdammnis. Für Bibelleser bietet sein Werk eine systematisch strukturierte Erschließung zentraler Themen wie der Rechtfertigung, der Heilsgewissheit und der göttlichen Adoption.
Era: Today
Recurring topics: Eternity & Hope Beyond Death, The Bible & the Word of God, Grace & Redemption, God, Jesus & the Holy Spirit, Doubt & Hard Questions, Guilt & Forgiveness, Temptation & Struggle, Time & Transience
Quotes by Robert Peterson
At the cross we catch a glimpse of the enormity of our sins’ offense to God. Here we learn about hell as Jesus, God’s beloved Son, takes the retributive punishment that we deserved, even separation from God, to deliver us. Here we look deeply into the mystery of the love a holy and righteous God for sinners.
Robert Peterson
The Reformers correctly viewed purgatory as an insult to Christ’s saving work. On the basis of Scripture they held that all believers “have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Heb. 10:10). It is by His suffering on the cross, not our suffering after death, that sins are purged: “Jesus also suffered…to make the people holy through His own blood” (Heb. 13:12). The Reformers also noted how Scripture does not allow for a “third place.” Jesus and His apostles consistently speak of only two destinies for humans: heaven and hell (Matt. 25:46; John 5:28-29; Rom. 2:6-10; Rev. 21:7-9; 22:14-15).
Robert Peterson
Doubting hell raises questions about the reality of heaven.
Robert Peterson
Jesus’ preaching about hell is part of His gracious ministry to a lost world. It is His way of showing unbelievers their need of Him. They, in turn, inevitably make one of two responses. Some display ingratitude for His warnings and reject Him. Others, however, gratefully own Him as the One who alone can rescue them. Instead of experiencing the wrath their sins deserve, they will taste the sweet victory won by His death and resurrection.
Robert Peterson
God rules over everything, including heaven and hell. The popular idea that hell is Satan’s kingdom over which he rules is proved false [in Matthew 25:41]. Jesus described the destiny of wicked humans as “the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matt. 25:41). Instead of reigning over hell, Satan will suffer the worst punishment there.
Robert Peterson
Jesus underscores the fact that death seals one’s fate, when He says to the Pharisees, “If you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins” (John 8:24). Hebrews 9:27 agrees: “Man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.”
Robert Peterson
Revelation 21 and 22 present heaven as the opposite of hell. Hell is separation from the gracious presence of God; heaven, living in that presence. Hell involves terrible pain; heaven, unceasing joy. Hell means the darkness of banishment from God’s glory; heaven, basking in its light. Hell consists of everlasting rejection by God; heaven, being His son or daughter forever. Hell entails the second death; heaven, eternal life.
Robert Peterson
The Bible used five main pictures to speak of hell: darkness and separation, fire, “weeping and gnashing of teeth,” punishment, and death and destruction. Only the last fits with annihilationism, and not even every passage in that category fits.
Robert Peterson
Although we can sympathize with the desires of universalists that all be saved, we must label universalism a false teaching. In fact, universalism flies in the face of Scripture and deliberately avoids much of the biblical evidence.
Robert Peterson
Historically, the key passage on hell in the Gospels is Jesus’ teaching about the sheep and the goats. Jesus, the Son of Man, banishes the accursed to “the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matt. 25:41). Does this “eternal fire” denote pain or extinction? John answers this question: “The devil…was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur…[and] will be tormented day and night for ever and ever” (Rev. 20:10). Here fire denotes torment. And this torment, not obliteration, lies ahead for the Devil, evil angels, and all unrepentant human beings.
Robert Peterson
If we take literally the image of hell as fire, it clashes with the other images of hell, for example, hell as darkness, or hell as the wicked being cut to pieces (Mt. 24:51). Rather than giving us literal pictures of the fate of the wicked, God uses dreaded pictures from this world to present the terrible reality of hell in the next world. I stand with the majority of contemporary conservative scholars in understanding the biblical imagery of hell metaphorically rather than literally.
Robert Peterson
We must learn of divine justice from the Bible itself. It will not do to protest God’s revealed judgments on the basis of what seems fair or unfair to us. Instead, we must adjust our thinking, including our view of God’s justice, to God’s revealed truth.
Robert Peterson
I fear that if annihilationism is widely accepted by Christians, that will hinder the missionary enterprise. Many people have devoted their lives to bringing the gospel to the unsaved around the globe. Would they continue to do so if they really thought that the worst fate awaiting those who reject Jesus is final extinction? I seriously doubt it. Annihilationists can argue that the obliteration of the wicked is a terrible fate if measured against the bliss of the righteous. But when compared to suffering in hell forever, it is simply not that bad to cease to exist.
Robert Peterson
[Universalism teaches] if God really loves the whole world and desires everyone to be saved, it follows logically that everyone must have access to salvation. Those who do not have sufficient access in this life will have it in the next. And if they then reject God’s grace, their fate is extermination, not eternal condemnation.
Robert Peterson
Sources: ligonier.org, covenantseminary.edu
All quotes · lumen.bible