The final judgment is not merely eschatology. It is a primary doctrine and was one of the "fundamentals" of the faith during the 1920's in the modernist controversy. Annihilationism is the position of John Stott, the Anglican Evangelical but it is still a heresy. I think Stott should be avoided as a resource for Evangelicals for that reason.
Donald Bloesch advocates that hell is not final. Even though it is a place of everlasting torment, Bloesch advocates that there will be a "second chance" in hell. Those who repent in hell get to go to heaven. He thinks only those who refuse to repent in hell are eternally tormented. But Bloesch is a Barthian. Hint: He wants to provide a modified universalism something along the lines of Barth's universal election doctrine. Bloesch pretends to be "reformed" but his view is actually a neo-evangelical form of neo-orthodoxy. He likewise rejects propositional truth and instead thinks the Bible is inerrant only as you "experience" God through the Spirit. Bloesch is also a charismatic, btw. Sound familiar?
No, eternal punishment is not secondary or even tertiary. It is PRIMARY. Saying eternal torment in hell as part of the final judgment of the wicked is merely an optional doctrine makes about as much sense as saying justification by faith alone is in the fine print of the Gospel.
Sincerely in Christ,
Charlie
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