Is it ever too late to turn to God? In this episode, Clint Archer and Will Brannon tackle the controversy of deathbed conversions and the recent public statement by Scott Adams (creator of Dilbert) regarding his faith.

From the repentance of the "most wicked king" Manasseh to the classic example of the thief on the cross, Clint and Will discuss whether God’s grace truly covers a lifetime of rebellion in a person's final hours. The duo explores the biblical reality of late-life professions of faith.

They also break down:
The Parable of the Vineyard Workers: Why God's "unfair" grace is the heart of the Gospel.
Pascal’s Wager: The danger of treating faith as a "risk-reward calculation" or fire insurance.
The Bare Minimum: What a person must actually believe in their heart to be saved.

Whether you're curious about the limits of forgiveness or wondering why "getting right with God later" is a dangerous gamble, this episode offers a clear, biblical perspective on the power of grace at the finish line.

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👇 Jump to moments (chapters):
[00:01:33] – Can a person really be saved on their deathbed?
[00:02:49] – King Manasseh
[00:03:08] – The thief on the cross
[00:06:47] – How is that fair?
[00:08:20] – The Parable of the Generous Landowner (Matthew 20)
[00:11:01] – What is Pascal’s Wager?
[00:12:02] – Scott Adams' public conversion statement
[00:13:53] – Romans 10 and Ephesians 2
[00:16:40] – "The Bare Minimum"
[00:18:24] – 1 Corinthians 15:3

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Is Hell a place of eternal suffering, or does the soul eventually cease to exist? Following the recent public "dust up" involving Kirk Cameron, Clint Archer and Will Brandon dive back into one of the most sobering topics in theology.

In this episode, we break down the differences between the traditional view of Eternal Conscious Torment (ECT) and the rising popularity of Annihilationism (or Conditionalism). We explore the biblical definitions of "eternal," the weight of sin against an infinite God, and why this conversation matters for our understanding of God’s justice and the beauty of the Cross.

Whether you're struggling with the "fairness" of hell or curious about the current evangelical debate, join us for a balanced, biblically-grounded look at the duration of judgment.

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👇 Jump to moments:
[00:00:29] - Why another episode on Hell?
[00:01:18] - The Kirk Cameron controversy: What sparked the "dust up"?
[00:02:24] - Defining Annihilationism and Conditionalism
[00:04:44] - The Traditional View: Eternal Conscious Torment (ECT)
[00:08:52] - Why an infinite punishment for a finite life?
[00:10:18] - Biblical evidence: Jesus’ words on Hell
[00:13:21] - Reflections on Kirk Cameron’s intentions and the public response
[00:16:36] - How to talk to children about Hell
[00:18:04] - How Hell highlights God’s grace
[00:22:24] - Is denying the traditional view of Hell considered heresy?
[00:26:36] - Kirk Cameron’s follow-up video and the Preston Sprinkle reference

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Resources Mentioned:
Book: A Visitor’s Guide to Hell by Clint Archer
Book: Hell on Trial: The Case for Eternal Punishment by Robert Peterson
Scripture Highlights: Mark 9:44-48, Matthew 25:41-46, Revelation 14:10-11, Luke 16
Previous Episode #013: "A Visitor’s Guide to Hell" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0-50iao6fE
Previous Episode #009: "Side B Theology" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqJPBSxXrk0

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📥 Subscribe for more practical Bible tips: @CageFreeTheology 👍 Like • 💬 Comment • 🔔 Subscribe for weekly videos to help you grow in faith
https://www.instagram.com/drclintarcher/
https://www.youtube.com/@UCZDzxFOiCR7eQWCgtKKXHIA

Happy anniversary! In our 52nd weekly episode of Cage-Free Theology, Clint Archer and Will Brandon celebrate one year of the podcast by returning to the basics: Tolle Lege (Take up and read).

While we love reaching you through your headphones, we believe the best way to grow in your faith is by diving directly into the Word and deep theological texts. In this episode, we break down:

• Bible Reading Strategies & Reading Plans
• Top Book Picks
• 2026 Reading List

Whether you are a new believer or a seasoned student, this episode will give you a roadmap for a more disciplined and intellectually rich 2026.

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👇 Jump to moments (chapters):
[00:00:50] – A Special Milestone: 52 Weeks of Cage-Free Theology
[00:01:33] – "Tolle Lege": The Story of St. Augustine’s Conversion
[00:03:20] – Why Books are Better than Podcasts for Learning Theology
[00:05:04] – The Grant Horner Bible Reading System (10 Chapters a Day)
[00:09:16] – Seeing Connections: Why Syncing Your Bible Reading Matters
[00:11:32] – Tips for Beginners: The "Date of the Month" Reading Method
[00:12:41] – The 30-Day Immersion Plan: Mastering One Book at a Time
[00:13:54] – Highlighters & Color Coding
[00:15:47] – The 60-Day Bible Sprint: A High-Intensity Challenge
[00:18:15] – Systematic Theology Recommendations: Grudem vs. MacArthur
[00:22:01] – Deep Dives: Providence, Heaven, and the Nicene Creed
[00:30:18] – The Controversy
[00:37:24] – Beyond Theology: Non-Fiction Picks for 2026
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Resources mention in today’s episode:

· Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine by Wayne Grudem

· Biblical Doctrine: A Systematic Summary of Bible Truth by John MacArthur, Richard L. Mayhue

· Providence by John Piper

· Christ's Prophetic Plans: A Futuristic Premillennial Primer by John MacArthur, Richard L. Mayhue

· Heaven by Randy Alcorn

· Guarding the Faith: Understanding the Nicene Creed edited by Al Mohler is a forthcoming collection of essays from the faculty of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

· Paul and the Gift by John M.G. Barclay

· Studies in the Sermon on the Mount by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

· Church History in Plain Language by Bruce L. Shelley

· 2,000 Years of Christ's Power: The Age of the Early Church Fathers - Volume 1 by Nick Needham

· An Introduction to Early Judaism by James C. VanderKam

· Daily Scripture Guidebook: A 52-Week Journey Through the Bible by Tim Wildsmith

· The Unseen Realm: Recovering the Supernatural Worldview of the Bible by Michael S. Heiser

· The Nicene Creed: A Scriptural, Historical, and Theological Commentary by Jared Ortiz, Daniel A. Keating

· Every Moment Holy, Volume III: The Work of the People by Douglas Kaine McKelvey

· Apocalypse Never: Why Environmental Alarmism Hurts Us All by Michael Shellenberger

· Nuclear War: A Scenario by Annie Jacobsen