Is the time ripe for a new hellish debate in Misjons-Norge?
Espen Ottosen opens the door.
Indremission leader Ole Hallesby was perceived as a “tough sulfur preacher” after his famous radioed hell speech 25 January 1953.
Theologian and philosopher Espen Ottosen reflects on this “70th anniversary” in an article in Aftenposten on 21 January. He gives us a reasonably balanced picture of the perdition discussion in the church, into our own time.
Somewhat right, but too simple
As a missionary priest in Det Norske Misjonsselskap/NMS in Japan for many years and later general secretary in the same organization, for me, perdition was an underlying, but unaddressed, theme in preaching and theological preparation. A sort of invisible elephant in the mission room.
Only after I became deacon and parish priest in Bodø and through this service accompanied many grieving families to the graveside, did I finally come to terms with “the double exit”.
Ottosen therefore quite rightly uses me as an example of what he considers to be a fairly widespread view in the Church of Norway, namely “that God will ensure that all people will be saved”. But for me it will be too easy if the verdict is drawn from this “account”, as Ottosen seems to think I do.
Is Ottosen on the slide?
With the church, I confess judgment and settlement – at Jesus’ return. We must all be held to account. But God’s grace and love in Jesus Christ will emerge victorious from the battle against evil and the last enemy, death. This faith gives us a living hope.
Is this so far from what Ottosen suggests when he points out that there are more than two views? Some examples he meritoriously highlights are the Croatian theologian Miroslav Volf and the British historian Tom Holland. These references are interesting, also in light of my approach.
Ottosen could have liked to elaborate on his own view in more detail. Is he himself slipping into a more moderate view? Away from the classic doctrine of perdition with fear of fear missionary motive?
The time seems to be ripe for a new hellish debate in Misjons-Norge. Ottosen’s nuanced Hallesby chronicle opens the door to such a debate.