A Hell of A Difference Between John Stott & Jonathan Edwards

The title may be a bit trite, but equally it is true. The difference between these two men on hell is vast and serious in its implications. I must say I deeply respect them both, and both proclaim Jesus as the only source for eternal life, but there difference on the result of not trusting Jesus as one's only way in and into eternal life is massive.

John Stott:

"In Evangelical Essentials, I described as "tentative" my suggestion that "eternal punishment" may mean the ultimate annihilation of the wicked rather than their eternal conscious torment. I would prefer to call myself agnostic on this issue, as are a number of New Testament scholars I know. In my view, the biblical teaching is not plain enough to warrant dogmatism. There are awkward texts on both sides of the debate.The hallmark of an authentic evangelicalism is not the uncritical repetition of old traditions but the willingness to submit every tradition, however ancient, to fresh biblical scrutiny and, if necessary, reform.How would you advise theologians to think creatively in the light of orthodoxy?I don't think any of us is wise enough to express ourselves in a creative or questioning manner without first testing it within the Christian community. It is part of our loyalty to that community that we allow it to criticize or comment on what we may want to say"

Source: CT

Jonathan Edwards:

"Without doubt the misery of the least of sinners that are damned, is as terrible or more terrible than no existence, and such that those that endure it would choose rather to cease to be, and be in a state of eternal nonexistence. Otherwise, it would not deserve the name of eternal death, nor the promise of eternal life made in the gospel be so considerable and desirable as the sound of it, which at least suggests thus much, that by Christ we may have our existence or life continued forever; whereas otherwise we should eternally lose our existence some way or other, it must be either by not existing, or by a state of existence as terrible to think of, and that which men would not prefer before it. But the affliction of a state of existence must be very great, as we see by experience to be thus. We are taught by the Scriptures that one sin, however small, deserves eternal death; that is, at least, an afflicted state that is as terrible to nature as a ceasing to be forever: and [even] if it be no more [than that], how terrible will this argue the case of most of those to be that are damned, that have been guilty of so many, so great and aggravated sins! how many thousand times less terrible will eternal nonexistence be, than their state! For we are taught, that wicked men shall be punished in hell fully up to their deserts; they shall be made to pay the whole ten thousand talents, the uttermost farthing."

Source: Yale's JE Works