Outer darkness
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In
hell; however, many Christians associate the outer darkness more generally as a place of separation from God or from the metaphorical "wedding banquet" that Jesus is expected to have upon his Second Coming
.
New Testament
The phrase first occurs in Jesus' comment concerning the faith of the Centurion of Capernaum:
And I say to thee that many shall come from the east and the west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven: But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into the exterior darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
— Matthew 8:11, D-R
The use of the term exterior darkness is in
parable of the wedding feast (also known as the parable of the marriage of the king's son). In this parable, a king arranged a wedding for his son, but the normal guests did not come; therefore, the king sent his servants to gather guests from off the street. One of these guests, however, appeared without the proper wedding attire. When the king asked, "Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment?" the man was silent (Matt 22:12); therefore, the king said: "Bind him hand and foot, and cast him into the exterior darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen." (Matt. 22:13-14, D-R
.)
The third use occurs in the last line of
parable of the talents
: "And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth" (Matthew 25:30).
Interpretations
Protestantism
Both
last judgment. Today, interpretation of these "outer darkness" verses are a subset of Protestant discussion on hell and annihilationism.[1]
Other views include those of Zane C. Hodges who controversially suggested that it represents a place for those who make it to heaven based on their faith, but have failed to perform good works during their time on the earth.[2]
Usage in the Latter Day Saint movement
In the
telestial kingdom
.
See also
- Sons of Perdition, 2010 documentary
- Spirits in prison (1 Peter 3:19)
References
- ^ Gregory A. Boyd, Paul R. Eddy Across the Spectrum: Understanding Issues in Evangelical Theology pp285 2009 "For example, how can hell be a place of “outer darkness” (Matt. 22:13) if it is also a place of perpetual fire (Matt. 18:8)?"
- ISBN 0-9607576-7-8
- ^ Alma 40:13–14
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