Evangelist Ray Comfort is responding publicly to recent comments made by actor and Christian commentator Kirk Cameron about the nature of hell, emphasizing that Living Waters remains committed to what Comfort called the historic Christian doctrine of eternal conscious torment.
In a video message, Comfort stressed his long friendship with Cameron while also drawing a clear theological line after Cameron discussed conditional mortality and annihilationism, views that teach the wicked will ultimately cease to exist rather than experience ongoing punishment.
“Kirk Cameron has been a dear friend of mine for decades,” Comfort said, describing Cameron as “a godly man” who loves “the Lord, his family and the Church.” Comfort noted that, particularly within Hollywood, he believes Cameron is “the real deal.”
The controversy began after Cameron, during a conversation on his show with his son, shared “his questions and developing thoughts about the biblical nature of hell and the fate of the wicked.” Comfort said Cameron indicated the annihilationist view is “compelling” and “possibly biblically supported.”
While some listeners took Cameron’s remarks as a settled position, Comfort said Cameron told him privately he has not reached a conclusion.
“When I spoke with him personally on the phone, he told me that while he believes the Bible appears to point in the direction of this view, he’s not settled on the matter and has asked for further discussion,” Comfort said.
Comfort said the video was released after supporters asked whether Living Waters holds the same position and whether Cameron still works with the ministry in an official capacity.
“The answer is no,” Comfort said. “While we believe Kirk is sincere, we believe that conditional mortality and annihilationism are erroneous views and that the Bible’s clear teaching on hell is known as eternal conscious torment.”
“We firmly believe that this is the only correct biblical view,” he added.
Comfort also clarified Cameron’s relationship to Living Waters, noting that although they have collaborated in the past, Cameron has not been part of the ministry’s official staff for years.
“While we’ve written books and made television shows together, Kirk has not officially worked here for well over 10 years,” Comfort said.
Comfort said the video was not intended to provide a comprehensive theological defense, but to restate Living Waters’ position and reassure supporters that the ministry has not changed its doctrine.
“Once again, we’re releasing this video because we want to reaffirm that Living Waters does indeed hold to the biblical and historic Orthodox doctrine of conscious eternal torment,” he said.
A fuller defense of the historic view of hell is planned in an upcoming Living Waters podcast episode, Comfort said. The episode will be released on major podcast platforms and the ministry’s YouTube channel, with announcements shared across Living Waters’ social media accounts.
James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a background in journalism from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine.
