Federalist Radio Hour – The Kylee Cast, Ep. 27

Guest: Kirk Cameron
Host: Kylie Griswold
Date: February 5, 2026
Main Theme:
Kirk Cameron discusses his personal and spiritual journey, his evolving views on Hollywood, family, and Christian faith, and the theological debates that recently embroiled him in controversy—most notably, the nature of hell and his departure from traditional evangelical eschatology.

Overview

In this episode, Kylie Griswold interviews Kirk Cameron—a former teen actor and well-known Christian advocate. The discussion spans Cameron’s early Hollywood career, his conversion to Christianity, responses to family and adoption, and recent controversies, especially his public questioning of the traditional doctrine of hell (“Hellgate”). The conversation delves deeply into theological nuance, prioritizing respect and intellectual openness even amidst disagreement on “secondary” matters within Christian doctrine.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Kirk Cameron's Hollywood Background & Conversion

[03:10–05:41]

• Kirk began acting as a child, not out of personal ambition but at his mother's encouragement.
• Rose to fame as Mike Seaver on Growing Pains (1980s).
• His faith journey began at 18, spurred by curiosity and philosophical questioning (“It would require more faith to hang on to my atheism than to believe in an intelligent designer.” – Kirk, 04:15).
• Cameron was not raised in a committed Christian household.
• Conversion deeply affected his life and career decisions, steering him away from mainstream Hollywood content.

2. Navigating Faith and Hollywood

[05:41–07:36]

• Faith “incompatible” with some aspects of Hollywood, but not all—many Hollywood stories are, at their core, “stealing from the Bible’s storylines.”
• Modern technology allows for a democratization of storytelling:

  “Anybody with a camera can make their own documentary or film anywhere in the world and get it distributed on YouTube … So, did I leave Hollywood? Kind of, but kind of not.” (Kirk, 07:23)

3. Fatherhood, Family, and Adoption

[08:14–12:26]

• Discusses meeting wife Chelsea on Growing Pains, adopting and raising six children:

  “Some of them are adopted. We can’t remember which ones—they’re all ours.” (Kirk, 08:27)

• Sees marriage and family as “ground zero for advancing the good in the world.”
• Remarks on changing roles and God's unique plans, stressing that singleness or childlessness does not diminish worth or fruitfulness:

  “Jesus was not married. Jesus did not have children. And yet he was the person who impacted the world like no one else ever.” (Kirk, 11:14)

4. Rethinking ‘Left Behind’ and Eschatology

[12:51–17:09]

• Cameron reflects on his eschatological transformation post-Left Behind:

  “It's pretty safe to say that I've left behind Left Behind.” (Kirk, 16:12)

• Shares how initial views were shaped by dispensational premillennialism but later encountered alternative perspectives (amillennialism, postmillennialism, preterism, etc.).
• Warns against making secondary issues a source of division:

  “What I don’t like is when people start to divide and call one another heretics over topics … like, what is the nature of the second coming?" (Kirk, 14:59)

• Highlights real-world impact; how eschatology can shape foreign policy, especially concerning Israel.

5. The Christian Mission Amidst Uncertainty

[19:33–25:54]

• Cameron urges a focus on revival and sharing the gospel, not speculating about judgment:

  “I’m not looking for judgment. I’m not looking for war. I’m looking for revival …” (Kirk, 19:53)

• Discusses whether the world is improving or worsening from a biblical perspective, noting historical cycles of “revival at the worst times you could possibly imagine.”
• Emphasizes urgency and anticipation for Christ’s return, while recognizing the mystery surrounding prophetic fulfillment.

6. “Hellgate”—The Debate on the Nature of Hell

[25:55–45:50]

• Explains the controversy from a recent episode (“Hellgate”) wherein Cameron and his son discussed the doctrine of hell and annihilationism:

  “He asked me, ‘Dad, what actually happens in hell when someone dies? Are they tormented forever … or are they annihilated?’” (Kirk, 26:33)

• Cameron faced significant criticism, even being branded a heretic by some church leaders.
• Insists on respectful intellectual engagement and scriptural analysis rather than outrage:

  “I didn’t expect the cancel culture and the smackdown … to come from the church.” (Kirk, 29:57)

• Challenges listeners to deeply study scriptural arguments for both eternal conscious torment and annihilationism, and to avoid clipping or misrepresenting nuanced theological discussions.
• Points out that, for many nonbelievers, the doctrine of hell is the “primary stumbling block” to faith:

  “For my neighbor, what is often the Mount Everest he cannot climb is the idea of a God who … torments people forever and ever in hell.” (Kirk, 31:38)

• Notes the importance of not letting emotional discomfort drive scriptural interpretation:

  “It would be a terrible idea to begin to try to make scripture accommodate our preferences.” (Kirk, 36:50)

• Admits his own discomfort with all views on hell but values rigorous and charitable conversation:

  “Everything bothers me about hell …” (Kirk, 39:45)

• Reiterates that whatever the view, the solution is the gospel.

7. Final Thoughts: Children’s Books & Community Initiatives

[48:51–50:12]

• Briefly discusses current and future projects, especially See You at the Library Day and Christian children’s books.
• Announces forthcoming events and invites listeners to host library stops via bravebooks.com.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On faith and acting:
  “I thought being an actor was cool … But I don’t think [Hollywood] has to be pitted against faith and goodness and moral virtue.”
  — Kirk Cameron, 05:52

• On the role of family:
  “Being a husband and being a father … it’s a great privilege and it’s a sacred duty. … It’s also a school where you have to learn how to die to yourself.”
  — Kirk Cameron, 09:17

• On evolving beyond Left Behind:
  “I’ve left behind Left Behind, sure.”
  — Kirk Cameron, 16:12

• On the impact of eschatology:
  “This is like real. And it really does impact foreign policy. And we’ve got to think through these things.”
  — Kirk Cameron, 18:11

• On the “Hellgate” controversy:
  “I ended up catching hell for it, pardon the pun … Not only that people had such strong feelings about it, but I didn’t expect the cancel culture and the smackdown … to come from the church.”
  — Kirk Cameron, 26:33, 29:57

• On unity and secondary theological issues:
  “Majoring on the minors … does nothing good for advancing the gospel.”
  — Kylie Griswold, 29:35

• On scriptural exegesis and discomfort:
  “It would be a terrible idea to begin to try to make scripture accommodate our preferences.”
  — Kirk Cameron, 36:50

• On the relationship of justice, mercy, and hell:
  “I don’t see any contradiction in the God of the Bible not showing mercy to the wicked after they have rejected the means of his mercy, which is the gospel.”
  — Kirk Cameron, 47:57

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Hollywood upbringing and faith transformation: [03:10–05:41]
• Faith & Hollywood’s relationship: [05:41–07:36]
• Fatherhood and family as calling: [08:14–12:26]
• Changing theological views post-Left Behind: [12:51–17:09]
• Eschatology and policy implications: [17:09–19:53]
• Mission, urgency, and Christian hope: [19:53–25:54]
• The “Hellgate” controversy explained: [25:55–29:57]
• Hell as a hurdle for nonbelievers: [31:38–36:12]
• Scriptural interpretation amid discomfort: [36:50–39:19]
• Cameron’s candid assessment of all positions on hell: [39:45–42:31]
• Challenging the church to honest discussion on difficult topics: [45:16–47:57]
• Children’s books and future projects: [48:51–50:12]

Tone & Language

Throughout, both Kylie and Kirk keep the exchange candid, approachable, and intellectually honest. There’s humor (“I caught hell for it, pardon the pun”), empathy, and sober self-reflection. While the topics get weighty and, at times, contentious, the dialogue models charity and careful listening: “I can learn from them … What I do know is that I’ve got today. I want to make the most of the opportunity.” (Kirk, 24:24)

Takeaway

Whether discussing the nature of hell, the value of Christian family life, or the pitfalls of public controversy, Kirk Cameron advocates for humility, thorough study, and unity within the Christian community—even (and especially) on difficult or hot-button secondary issues.

Most importantly:

“We shouldn’t be afraid of hell. We shouldn’t be afraid of same sex attraction. We shouldn’t be afraid of concerns that people have because the truth is not vulnerable to people’s questions.”
— Kirk Cameron, 36:50

Further Listening/Resources:

• Watch “Hellgate” via Kirk Cameron’s YouTube for the full roundtable exploration of hell.
• Learn more or host a children’s book event at: bravebooks.com