Evangelical Christians affirm together that a dreadful destiny awaits those who reject God's grace throughout life. According to the traditional view, that destiny will involve unending conscious torment in hell. However, believers are increasingly questioning that understanding, as both unbiblical and inconsistent with the character of God revealed in the Scriptures and in the man Jesus Christ.
This internationally acclaimed book--now fully updated, revised, and expanded--carefully examines the complete teaching of Scripture on the subject of final punishment. It concludes that hell is a place of total annihilation, everlasting destruction, although the destructive process encompasses conscious torment of whatever sort, intensity, and duration God might require in each individual case.

"I commend this book warmly. It is likely to remain a standard work to which everyone engaged with this issue will constantly return."
-Richard Bauckham
Emeritus Professor of New Testament Studies
University of Saint Andrews, Scotland

"The Fire That Consumes has long been recognized as one of the most thorough and compelling statements available of the view that the destiny of the unsaved will be final destruction rather than eternal torment. In this new edition, Edward Fudge provides extended engagement with traditionalist critics and an overview of developments in the last thirty years ensuring that it will remain a definitive work on the issue for years to come."
-John R. Franke
Theologian in Residence
First Presbyterian Church of Allentown

Edward William Fudge is a Christian theologian, Bible teacher, author, and, for more than twenty years, a practicing attorney.