When Your Heroes Compromise

Many grew up watching Kirk Cameron. Growing Pains was considered wholesome entertainment, and when Kirk got saved, it seemed like a real victory for the Kingdom. Here was a Hollywood actor taking a stand for Christ. Christians cheered for him.

Now he's questioning whether hell is eternal. Leaning toward annihilationism—the idea that the unsaved just cease to exist rather than face eternal punishment.

It's heartbreaking. But it's also a reminder: don't build your theology on celebrities.

Jesus was crystal clear. He spoke about hell more than anyone else in Scripture. "And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal" (Matthew 25:46). Same word—everlasting. If heaven is eternal, so is hell.

The rich man in Luke 16 wasn't annihilated. He was in torment, conscious, begging for relief. That's not metaphor, that's not just an illustration—that's doctrine straight from the lips of Christ.

Here's what concerns me: when we soften hell, we soften the gospel. If there's no eternal consequence for sin, why did Jesus have to die? Why the urgency in evangelism? Why warn anyone about anything?

Annihilationism makes people feel better about God, but it doesn't make God more true. Truth isn't determined by our comfort level.

I'm not saying Kirk Cameron is beyond redemption or that we should treat him as an enemy. I'm saying don't follow him—or anyone—into error just because you once respected them.

Build your theology on the Word of God, not on the wavering opinions of men.

People will fail you. Scripture won't.

Stand firm.

John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.