Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-07-08
NOT BASED ON BIBLE
Gen. Halls View of Literal Fire
in the Hereafter.
CREED OF THE MIDDLE AGES
Resolution Adopted by Bible Stu
dents Convention Declaring Dis
belief in He'll Fire Doctrine.


1--WE do not find the Bible to teach the
doctrine OF q literal hell fire. or place
Of fire and birthstone for the punish
ment of the wicked, but secular history
Of the formation Of the creeds OF the
middle ages reveals the fact that for
various reasons. either wisely or I'M
wisely the doctrine Of torment in hell
fire. was added to the gospel as taught
by Jesus and the twelve apostles, neces-
stating many ridiculous interpretations
of the Lords parallels
The foregoing was embodied in resolu-
tons adopted at the session of the Inter-
national Bible Students Convention in the
big auditorium at Glen Echo at noon to-
day after Brig. Gen. William P. Hail. U.
s. A.. retired, until recently the adjutant
general, had made a speech following the
presentation of the resolutions. More
than 5000 delegates from all parts Of the
Union and Canada voted on the PROPOSE
ton. Chairman ]. F. Rutherford an
nounced that ''it is a hot subject for
hot day"
The resolutions set forth:
I'VE now unreservedly repudiate as
thoroughly unscriptural the teaching
of a place. state Of condition of liter
al lake Of fire and birthstone for the
torment of the wicked; and, further,
we believe from many personal tesi-
monials that the vast majority OF min
listers Of all Protestant denominations
have privately repudiated the hell fire.
theory, but have for supposedly good
reasons hesitated fully to inform their
congregations; and, further. we believe
on this account. thousands and perhaps
tens Of thousands. are being driven
into skepticism or infIdelity."
Appeal to the Ministry.
Continuing, it was recited: I'VE APP
peal to every minister in the United
States to publish in his local newspaper,
over his own signature. a statement de-
claring whether or not he believes the
Bible to teach the doctrine Of a literal
lake of fire and birthstone as a place or
state or condition for the eternal punish
ment of the wicked. and ask every editor
Of a newspaper in the United States to
invite the ministers of his constituency
to avail themselves of his columns for
their statements. and, further. We believe
that in this one act they can just now
serve their readers better than in any
other one way"
The secretary of the convention was In
structed to mail printed copy of the
resolution to every minister and editor in
the United States.
Reasons given in Gen. Halls appeal for
aCtlOn were tndI many ldynlen On account
Of their present misconceptions often
indulge in open and occasionally violent
criticism of individuals rIusing to indorse
their hell fire" theory. He said he hopes
and believes ministers of all denomna-
tons. If a suitable condition were created
would when publicly asked, gladly and
freely state their belief as to whether the
Bible does. or does not. teach the literal
flake of fire and birthstone theory. He
believes, he said. that the public in gen.
eral. and Christians in particular. would
be inestimably benefited by a free and
general expression from the clergy on
| this subject; and that such an expression
would unquestionably bring about the
end Of unjust and unreasonable criticism.
Cites Views of Critics.
AS a reason for his appeal, Gen. Hall
stated that 1t Is a we'll known fact that
thousands Of critical Bible students, in
GLIDING most of the leading professors
and teachers Of the best schools have
positively and in some cases publicly
declared that the Bible does not teach
the hell fire. doctrine and. additionally,
that it is generally reported that almost
invariably ministers Of the various
evangelical eva gem denom n privately ad,
that personally they do not believe the
hell fire theory.
Gen. Hall. thoroughly warming up to
MS subject. declared that in the name
or honesty and fairness to both the
preachers and laymen. all ministers con-
cerned in this matter should be helped
and enabled to deal fairly with the pub
nc; that iaymen who financially support
the ministers, often at considerable sac
ri1ce, are entitled to know more from the
| teachers the true Bible doctrines. even
though this would necessitate the admis-
sion on their part that some mistakes
had been made by our great-grandfathers
when they formulated the creeds of the
middle ages. and that there Is now no
good reason why the congregations
| should not know just where their own
ministers stand. whether for or against
the literal hell fire" doctrine.
Question Discussed.
Halls request. Chairman Rutherford
stated that the generals request was a
striking and additional evidence of the
remarkable condition Of the mind Of
those who take the trouble to stop and
| think and who are even going farther
by seeking some method to mend mat
ters. and that 1T is not surprising that
| in this instance SO monumental a decep-
| ton as that Of hell fire. is being fought
The chairman. in ordeY to test the opin-
ion of the delegates on the doctrine Of
eternal torment in hell fire, placed the
matter before the convention for brief
discussion. stating that the question be-
fore the convention was not as to
| whether or not there. was Bible hell
but as to whether or not there is place
| of hell fire. or lake of fire and brim-
stone" as place Of eternal torment for
the wicked.
Seemingly the unanimous opinion of the
delegates was that the Bible does not
teach the hell. fire doctrine, but at first